Missing Cinderella

Siella added, looking straight into Eschert’s cold blue eyes, “Whether you believe me or not is up to you.”

It wasn’t as if she thought Eschert would believe it right away. 

“As I said, I’m telling you this purely for Prince Edwin’s good.”

“…”

“I wouldn’t have bothered telling you this if it weren’t for Prince Edwin.”

She didn’t have much trust left in her for Eschert, who had casually betrayed her. Siella glanced at Nina, who stood silently by her side the entire time, and rose to her feet.

“Perhaps Miss Camellia was knocked down by someone, and that someone could perhaps be the same person who harmed Prince Edwin today.”

It was said that Camellia’s collapse was due to some chronic illness she had, but who knows? 

“You should know very well that you cannot protect the person by your side without making any effort,” Siella said, looking down at Eschert, who sat there blankly. “It’s time for you to make an effort to protect the ones you care about.”

Up until now, Eschert had kept Siella by his side with little effort, and she had reaped the benefits of it. Of course, since he had given her a considerable amount of fortune, it could be said that she took credit for it. 

All Siella wanted from him was to keep her safe from Kyle, so it was fair to say that he made no effort to keep it that way. What Eschert did was nothing compared to the time she’d put up with everything. 

In the first place, he had made no effort at all to give her what she had asked of him in their trade. He simply shoved money in her hands that she didn’t really want. He was a man who didn’t know how to keep people. 

“If you’re determined to be responsible for Prince Edwin, then make an effort now before it’s too late.”

“…”

“Before you really regret it.”

Siella walked out of the office, leaving Eschert sitting there as if he was trapped in a frozen time. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The next day, Siella went to Edwin’s bedroom. She wanted to see with her own eyes how Edwin was doing, so that she could leave this place in peace. Of course, it wasn’t like Siella didn’t think something dangerous like this could happen again to Edwin in the future. 

But Siella was too exhausted to consider that. It was hard enough to keep her own body healthy. This is all I could do for Edwin, she thought – just making sure that he was alright for now; to wish him well and hope that he would stay safe and not have any big mishaps in the future. 

“I will ask the Lady and the doctor in a moment.”

A maid came out, gave Siella a disapproving look, and went back into the bedroom. Siella smiled wryly at the maid who disappeared without hearing her answer, until she heard a voice from inside the room. 

“How dare she come to this place….”

“She had always been a shameless woman.”

“That’s expected.”

(T/N: If Siella could be branded shameless when she had done nothing and was basically offered to be the fiancée of Eschert, then what do you call Camellia, who clings to Eschert like she’s the fiancée? Pro-max-super-ultra shameless? [wide eye])

Siella wasn’t even angry, thinking that this was the last time she would ever hear such gossip; she was just a little dumbfounded. But Nina, who had never experienced anything like this before, was fired up and ready to tear down the door. 

“No, they’re just babbling on and saying whatever they want. They must think they could spat out whatever.”

Siella calmly held Nina back as she grabbed the doorknob, her voice too loud for her own good. 

“There’s a sick child inside, and I don’t want to make a scene.”

“But….”

“I’m fine, don’t mind them.”

After Siella stopped her, Nina closed her mouth and drew in a ragged breath, trying to calm down her frustration. 

Someone getting angry for me is still better than nothing, Siella thought as she waited patiently for the person inside to come out. Soon enough, the firmly closed door opened, and the maid who entered earlier came out with Camellia’s words. 

“You can come in.”

Siella didn’t bother to respond, just glancing at the maid and quietly slipping into the bedroom. Camellia pulled a chair to the foot of the bed where Edwin was lying and sat down. 

“You don’t need to stand up.”

Siella gently dissuaded Camellia from getting up and moved to the side. 

“I heard you collapsed yesterday. Are you feeling better?”

“Thank you for your concern, Miss Siella. Fortunately, I am alright. I am fine, but Louie….”

Siella looked at Camellia’s watery eyes, and then curiously asked her, “I heard the Prince was quickly treated by the doctor and was fine now, I guess that wasn’t the case?”

“He’s still not regaining consciousness. The doctor said they don’t know why….”

“Hmm.”

“I really don’t know what to do. What should I do? Miss Sella, what I am supposed to do?”

“…”

“I want to do something to help Louie get better, but I don’t even have any idea what I can do for him….”

Camellia looked genuinely distraught. She sounded genuinely concerned about Edwin. 

I was doubting Camellia at the back of my mind, but I guess I must have been thinking too much. Then that’s a relief. 

‘Yes, I was wrong to suspect her.’

Siella quietly looked at Edwin.

“Just by having Miss Camellia by his side will give Prince Edwin great strength – the strength to get out of bed as soon as possible.”

“Ah….”

“So don’t be anxious, don’t worry too much, and just stay by his side.”

Siella’s words made Camella unable to hold back her tears. Siella looked at the sobbing Camellia with a puzzled expression on her face, then carefully took out a handkerchief and held it out to her. 

“Don’t cry.’

“Thank you….”

Camellia buried her tiny face in the handkerchief as her shoulders shook. Siella patiently waited for her to stop crying, but the wait was longer than she had expected and made her uncomfortable. 

Nina then quietly approached her and whispered, “My Lady, your leg will hurt. Sit down and talk.”

Nina pulled a chair from the window and put it next to Siella. Camellia raised her head and said with a face full of tears, “Ah, I should have offered you a seat….”

“It’s okay.”

Siella just faintly smiled at Camellia, who was too distracted to have thought of it. The rain-soaked, overcast sky was dark as night even though it was the middle of the day. As Camellia swallowed her tears, Siella sat quietly, staring at the window and biding her time. 

“Do you want to protect Prince Edwin, Miss Camellia?”

“Of course….”

In response to Camellia’s answer, Siella fixed her gaze outside the window and said, “If that is your heart’s desire, you must first become stronger than anyone else, Miss Camellia.”

Eschert wouldn’t change. It would take him a very long time to figure out how to protect Edwin. Maybe even longer than Siella had endured for the past five years. 

“If you don’t get stronger Miss Camellia, Prince Edwin could be in danger again at any moment.”

“…”

“That’s why you need to stay by Prince Edwin’s side and keep him safe, Miss Camellia.”

The Imperial Family was deeply involved in the accident that killed the former Duke and Duchess, and Edwin’s disappearance. And they still hadn’t given up on Nocturm. They would not give up on Nocturm, for they were eager to get their hands on them. Edwin would live a life of peril and insecurity until he reached adulthood, and perhaps even beyond. 

“Don’t trust anyone.” Siella said, pulling away her fixated gaze from the window the entire time, and slowly looked back on Camellia. “Don’t easily give your heart to anyone and stay vigilant.”

Camellia’s mouth dropped open in confusion at Siella’s words being suspicious of everyone. 

“Miss Siella, why do you sound like someone who is about to leave…?”

At that, Siella simply didn’t answer, simply turning her gaze back out of the window in silence. 

(T/N: I’m guessing Camellia burrowed her head into the handkerchief and was secretly happy about Siella leaving, heh. [snorts])