The crowd shifted—
"Step… step…"
Voices lowered.
Space opened.
Lunivara froze.
Then—
She was seen.
At the center.
Green eyes met hers.
Sharp.
Cold.
Cedric.
"Lunivara."
Her name—
Spoken clearly.
But not gently.
"…Brother—"
His gaze hardened instantly.
"I will ask you only once."
A step forward.
Controlled.
Commanding.
"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.
All eyes—
On her.
"…What?"
Confusion flickered across her face.
[I didn't—]
Her fingers trembled slightly.
[I never did that…]
This morning—
She only went to the club.
Nothing else.
But her voice—
Didn't come out.
The pressure—
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.
Steady.
[I won't lose like this.]
"I did not do such a thing."
Her voice—
Soft.
But clear.
A pause—
Then—
"Lies."
Cold.
Immediate.
Cedric's gaze sharpened.
"Your past conduct speaks for itself."
Murmurs rose.
Agreement.
Doubt.
Judgment.
"…I truly did not."
A step forward.
Slight.
Careful.
"…Brother."
Silence.
Then—
A shift.
"…Do not address me so."
His voice dropped.
Lower.
Sharper.
"You have forfeited that privilege."
The words landed—
Heavy.
Final.
Lunivara's chest tightened.
[Ah…]
Something sank.
Deep.
Quiet.
Her eyes moved—
Just slightly.
Pink hair.
Purple eyes.
Velarisse stood behind him.
Still.
Silent.
Her lips parted—
As if to speak.
But no words came.
Cedric stepped forward again.
"Explain yourself."
Authority.
Pressure.
Expectation.
Lunivara's hands trembled—
Just slightly.
But she held them still.
"I—"
Before she could continue—
Another voice.
Calm.
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."
Silence.
Sharp.
"Surely… even a crown prince would value discernment before accusation."
A breath.
"Especially… when the subject is your own sister."
The air tightened.
Cedric's expression darkened.
"…Very well."
A step back.
Controlled.
But restrained anger lingered.
"This matter will be investigated."
His gaze locked onto hers.
"And I will not forget what has transpired today."
A pause.
"Lunivara."
His voice lowered.
"We will speak… privately."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Unresolved.
And every eye—
Still remained on her.