The crowd shifted
"Step… step…"
The voices lowered and a path of space opened toward lunivaras way.
Lunivara froze.
Then,she was seen at the back, before the entrance door.
Green eyes met hers.
Sharp and cold.
Cedric.
"Lunivara."Cedric said.
Her name
Spoken clearly but not gently.
"…Brother" she replied.
His gaze hardened instantly.
"I will ask you only once."
He step forward in a commanding way.
"Is it true… that you tampered with Lady Velarisse's belongings?"
A pause.
"That you defiled her seat… and concealed her personal effects?"
Silence fell and all eyes look on her.
"…What?" Confusion flickered across her face.
["I didn't"] Her fingers trembled slightly.
["I never did that…"]
She wanted to speak,but the words traveled no further than her thoughts.This morning she only went to the club and nothing else.
The pressure was heavy.
["This is it…"]
Her breath tightened.
["Of course…I'm the villainess.....The story will still turn against me…"]
A small, bitter smile almost formed
Then disappeared.
["No"]
A breath in.Slow and steady.
["I won't lose like this."]
"I did not do such a thing." She responded with a soft but clear voice.
"Lies!" He replied coldly.
Cedric's gaze sharpened.
"Your past conduct speaks for itself."
Murmurs rose...
Agreement...
Doubt...
And Judgment...
"…I truly did not." Lunivara step forward slightly and careful not to trigger he's brother.
"…Brother."
Silence fell again then a sudden shift.
"…Do not address me so."
His voice dropped.
Lower yet sharper.
"You have forfeited that privilege."
The words landed heavy, it sounds like a final word.
Lunivara's chest tightened.
["Ah…"]
Something sank inside her deep and quiet.Her eyes moved slightly just to see her...
Pink hair with purple eyes.
Velarisse stood behind him.Being still and silent.
Her lips parted as if to speak.But no words came.
Cedric stepped forward again.
"Explain yourself." He said, his authoritative voice instantly commanding compliance.
Lunivara's hands trembled slightly, but she held them still.
"I"
Before she could continue another voice interfered.
Calm but measured.
"Your Highness."
The crowd shifted again.
"I believe… such matters are ill-suited for public display." A pause.
"To cast judgment without proper inquiry" A slight tilt of the head.
"does not befit one of your standing."
The silence was sudden and sharp.And the girls were starting to blush.
"Surely… even a crown prince would value discernment before accusation." He breath.
"Especially… when the subject is your own sister."
The air tightened between them.
Cedric's expression darkened.
"…Very well."
Cedric step back.
A heavily masked anger lingered in he's eyes.
"This matter will be investigated." Cedric's gaze locked onto Lunivaras.
"And I will not forget what has transpired today."
A pause.
"Lunivara."
He lowered he's voice.
"We will speak… privately." Cedric said.
A heavy silence followed,leaving the tension entirely unresolved.And every eye still remained on her.