Chapter 18
Gilbert led me to the infirmary.
My elder sister had wanted to come along out of concern for my injuries, but Gilbert stopped her. He must have something he wishes to speak with me about in private.
Could it be… that he found out I planted the necklace in Lily’s pocket?
Unlike Liam, he doesn’t reveal his emotions on his face, so I can’t tell what he’s thinking.
As Gilbert and I walked toward the infirmary in silence, I was the one who spoke first.
“Brother, I can make it to the infirmary from here on my own. You don’t need to come any further.”
“No. As your brother, I failed to notice all the violence you’ve been enduring until now. That’s also my failing. Besides, I want to confirm your condition myself.”
You never cared about me before.
So now you feel guilty, is that it?
At this point, showing concern only feels unnatural.
“That wound… it hurts, doesn’t it?”
“No. At first it did, but I’ve grown used to it. Now I hardly feel it anymore.”
When I said that, Gilbert looked at me with an expression I couldn’t quite describe.
“May I ask you a few questions?”
“Yes.”
After a brief silence, Gilbert posed his question.
A wave of tension ran through me—this must be the real reason he wanted to be alone with me.
“It’s about Ellie’s necklace. That wasn’t something you stole, was it?”
“No. I never stole it.”
So he does suspect. From his perspective, knowing nothing, it must have looked like I simply framed Lily.
“Then why was the necklace found in Lily’s pocket after it had been in yours?”
I should explain everything.
With Gilbert, it’s better not to hide anything—if even one detail seems inconsistent, he’ll press me with endless questions, and I might say something that would put me at a disadvantage. That’s the last thing I want.
“I heard that our sister’s cherished necklace had gone missing. Perhaps a week after that, Lily brushed near my pocket, saying there was dust on my dress.
Her behavior felt odd, so I checked—and found the necklace inside my pocket. Lily had intended to frame me.
If I did nothing, it would seem as though I were the thief. So, just as she did, I thought to slip it back into her pocket. But I had no chance to get close, and if I failed, it would only worsen matters. I decided it was safer to hold onto it until a proper occasion arose where I could expose her.
And so, as you saw earlier, I concealed it in my sleeve and made it appear as though it had been in Lily’s pocket all along.”
Would he believe me? With no proof, only my word to go on?
“You may not believe me, but I did not steal it.”
“The details will come to light in time. But for now, I believe you, Tiana.”
I never expected him to trust my words.
“Then why, when you realized Lily had stolen it, did you not report it to us at once?”
So he doesn’t fully trust me after all.
“If I had gone to you holding the necklace and said, ‘Lily had this,’ would anyone have believed me?
Most likely not. Given my position, I feared you would all think I was the thief instead. That is why I delayed reporting it. I apologize.”
The face that was always so composed now held a trace of sadness, but Gilbert seemed to accept my explanation.
“Thank you for answering my questions. I’ll inform Vice of this matter. You did well.”
Then, for some reason, Gilbert gently patted my head.
And somehow, it made me feel… a little at ease.
