Case 93: Upon a sliver of hope.

''...''

''...''

Lily de Orleans. Wife of Gloria de Orleans, head of the Marquise. She was a quiet figure, through and through, with little presence in high society. Looking at it objectively, everything surrounding this person was strange.

The House of Orleans was one of the oldest and most influential in this country. It wasn't a coincidence that everyone and their mother wanted their children to marry Lyra. Yet, aside from some articles here and there, nobody talked about Lily's sudden arrival at all. If it were any other noble house, high society would immediately pounce on the story for at least half a decade.

Well, it goes to show what kind of power Lily wielded, I suppose.

That the lady-like beauty, who was peeling an apple, before me was such a figure...

''Daughter.''

''Yes.''

We didn't have that kind of relationship.

Even before I was Cecilia, Cecilia herself wasn't close to Lily. She only knew what she was supposed to know as her biological daughter. Still, seeing that this woman allowed me to 'do what I want' until now, she shouldn't be... hostile. Not yet.

Her intentions were unknown to me.

''...''

Lily opened her mouth, but then closed it again. It wasn't until this action was repeated a few more times that she sighed instead. Her vibrant red eyes turned to the apple in her hand, seeming melancholic.

''How long are you going to keep this up?'' She softly questioned, pushing the knife's small blade into the apple's flesh. ''Say it truthfully.''

Feeling inevitably pressured, I decided not to make up anything, ''...Until the end, mother.'' I replied.

''...''

It was a bet.

I was betting on Lily's benevolence, so to speak. As far as I knew, she was an anomaly—an irregular of her lineage who ran away instead of complying with the family's duties. Cecilia might have been one, too, or it was merely circumstances that drove her to follow Lily. Without Cecilia here, it would be impossible to know.

And unexpectedly, Lily smiled... bitterly.

''You and I... why are we both like this, I wonder.'' She chuckled.

''Hahah... like mother, like daughter, I guess...?''

As her red eyes met mine, she nonchalantly uttered, ''You're not my daughter.''

''...!''

I was instantly taken aback, panic swarming over... but the wrath never came. Lily only closed her eyes, slicing the apple in her hands seamlessly.

''That child was a rebellious one.'' She remarked. ''Though I never paid much attention to her. I hope she is happier somewhere now.''

''Aren't you... mad?''

''Why would I? If whoever decided to put you here had the power to do so, then there is nothing I can do. It's the law of nature—the weak get eaten, and the strong survive.''

''...I'm sorry, still. For taking your daughter's place.''

I wasn't sure what had gotten into me. Just, I saw a lonely person, and I wanted to... right, treat her properly. Like a person. Even though she shouldn't be regarded so gently.

Somewhere, her demeanor reminded me of my own mother, whom I would never get to meet again.

Ah... this was irritating. Why would I...

''...''

In the end, Lily left after stroking my head. I saw her smiling, and the sentence she left me with at the end lingered in my head for a long time.

''You're a kind soul, human child.''

The apple... tasted sweet.

Lily must have told the girls something, because they didn't enter the room again for almost an hour. Maybe she wanted to give me time to think?

My impression of her had changed a lot. Even if she was still the biggest variable to my plans, I felt a bit more relieved now. It's not like I was moved because she called me a human child, okay?

Anyways, I still had a pressing issue on my hands.

'''' ... ''''

That was, these girls surrounding my bed. Each and every one of them was staring at me, seemingly expecting something. Without saying, they wanted an explanation.

It should have been quite stressful. But I... I felt strangely at peace.

Maybe Lily did something to me earlier? My supposedly jumbled mind was calm. Either way, I have already decided what I wanted to say. If I, as they said, was so bad at acting, then being honest wouldn't be so unreasonable, right?

Not... too honest, considering I'd be killed if I do so.

''Phew...''

Taking a deep breath, I clasped my hands, posing a smile I wasn't sure seemed sincere.

''I'm sorry. I should have told you all this a long time ago, but I was a coward. I was worried you would look at me differently... that you would pity me—this useless girl... I didn't want you to worry about me.''

''Big sis—''

I shook my head at Lyra.

''...I'll be frank this time.''

As soon as I said that, without a shred of deception, I could see the four's emotions tremble. They must have been so anxious... ah, I was such an evil woman, leaving them hanging all this time.

But now, that would change.

''I am terminally ill.''

With a straight face, I uttered.

''I don't have much left to live.''

Truth.

''There is no cure for my illness, no hope for my future, and nothing I can do to extend my life.''

Truth.

''But this much I can promise—I want to live to the fullest... while I still can. I want to be fulfilled, to be happy beside you all. For it, I would give anything.''

...Truth.

At some point, I couldn't face them anymore. I was, after all, a coward.

''...Ah.''

But before I could finish being anxious, I was squarely embraced. The familiar black hair, the familiar scent... it was my sister, Lyra. Her grip held some sort of aggression, soaking me into her unease.

It was rough, too sudden, and somewhat rash, but... I loved her warmth.

''Big sis...'' Lyra backed away, cupping my face.

''Lyra... I'm—hnyah?!''

''You're late. Too late. You idiot...''

Language! Besides, you're my little sister! Don't talk to your sister like that...!

But despite my protest, she kept 'punishing' me for a long while. It wasn't until my cheeks were swollen and red that the heroine finally let go. Tearing up from the pain, I sneakily glanced around, and... it didn't seem as bad...?

Of course, these girls loved me. But despite despair catching up to them, what I saw most prominent was determination. They looked ready to take on anything.

''Um...''

''I had guessed something similar.''

''Eh?''

Sighing, Rachael gently ruffled my head, ''I just didn't expect the worst case. Though it doesn't mean all is hopeless.''

''She's right.'' Penelope followed. ''Your usual demeanor is already quite telling. Not to mention earlier...''

Then, my hands were taken.

''We won't give up, Cecilia.'' Kiara pleaded, her azure eyes sparkling. ''We'll definitely cure your illness, even if it means searching the whole world.''

''You guys...''

Facing their resolve, I couldn't help but be shaken. Even though I knew it was all useless, if... by any chance, I could be with them longer...

Then maybe grasping this hope wouldn't be so bad.