Chapter 3

3.

"If it was so sacred, why didn't you keep it safe yourself?"

Merrick's voice cut through the air as he walked in with a heavy frown. "Celine, I know you harbor resentment over yesterday. But it was Kendra's birthday! She is an orphan with no family, and spending it alone would have been heartbreaking. How could you frame her for theft out of petty jealousy?"

"Kendra is not a bird trapped in a gilded cage like you. You judge her far too narrowly!"

"If you want to blame someone, blame Corbin and me. Leave Kendra out of this."

He stepped protectively in front of Kendra, determined to champion her honor.

Looking at his righteous indignation, I suddenly burst into laughter.

The movement tugged at the wound across my eye, sending two trails of blood trickling down my cheek.

When Merrick saw the blood, confusion and shock flickered across his face. "Celine... what happened to you? Were you truly hurt this badly?"

He hurriedly reached for my hand and lifted the gauze from my face, gasping at the mangled flesh beneath.

His lips trembled. "Let me heal you."

In the past, whenever I was hurt, he and Corbin would take turns channeling their spiritual energy into me, never hesitating to exhaust their own power.

They never cared about the toll it took on them, only worrying that transferring energy too fast might cause me pain.

I lowered my gaze with a calm smile and pulled my hand away. "Healing would have worked last night. Today, it is useless."

Merrick's hand froze mid-air, a flash of helplessness and embarrassment crossing his face.

"Celine, you have always feared pain the most. Why are you acting like this now?"

Kendra peeked from behind Merrick, biting her lip when she saw his concern before putting on a sweet smile. "Celine is truly fortunate to be born into nobility and pampered by both of you since childhood..."

"She is delicate and easily frightened, like a fragile blossom that effortlessly draws your sympathy. Unlike me, who is rough around the edges. I suppose only the crying child gets the sweet treats."

She cast a sorrowful glance at Merrick. "I truly envy how much Merrick cares for her."

Merrick took a step back, his guilt instantly evaporating as he examined my injuries with suspicion. "Kendra never once complained of pain. Why must you put on such a dramatic show?"

Exhaustion washed over me, and I lost all desire to argue.

This was not the first time Kendra had played this game. Every demonstration of her bravery relied on portraying me as weak, usually after she shoved me into danger while hiding safely behind.

She claimed she wanted to dive into the Thousand Abyss Pool, yet pushed me in instead, nearly drowning me.

She adopted a wild, unpredictable beast, but hid the moment it went berserk, leaving me to get mauled.

Even during dual training sessions with Merrick and Corbin, she insisted on including me, only to accidentally misdirect a blow and injure me.

They had elevated Kendra into a bold, untamed heroine while wearing away centuries of our bond with endless distrust and impatience.

In the past, I might have wept and pleaded with them, only to reinforce Kendra's claims that I was faking vulnerability.

Now, I did not care to explain. When someone wants to condemn you, any excuse will do.

I looked Merrick straight in the eye. "I repeat: the amulet is my mother's heirloom. I want it back."

"As for you, Lord Merrick. We shared some history, but that belongs to our naive youth. In the future, please do not disturb me in Blossom Palace."

I gave a faint smile. "Take Kendra with you if you wish. Blossom Palace has no room for thieves."

Merrick scoffed, waving his sleeve in annoyance. "Stop throwing these childish tantrums!"

Panic flashed across Kendra's face, and she grabbed my sleeve. "Celine, I know you resent me for stealing Merrick and Corbin's attention. But I have nowhere else to go! I swear I only view them as brothers and never harbored any improper thoughts!"

I sneered. "Kendra, do you really think my illness made me a fool?"

With a swift flick of my wrist, I traced an arcane seal in the air, causing a soft golden glow to emit from Kendra's chest.

Her face drained of color as she instinctively clutched her collar.

The protective amulet flew out from her bodice and landed neatly in my palm.

Merrick's expression darkened instantly. He grabbed Kendra's wrist in shock. "You truly stole Celine's talisman?"

"Do you have any idea what it meant for her to be trapped in the Demon Pit without it?"

He choked on his own words, unable to finish the sentence.

Kendra sniffled, tears streaming down her cheeks while maintaining a defiant glare.

"I only did it because I couldn't bear watching Celine stay trapped in Blossom Palace, hiding behind an amulet forever! I thought losing it would force her to slay the beast with her own strength!"

"How could I know her skills were so pathetic that a minor beast could hurt her like this? I was terrified you would be angry, which is why I stayed silent."

She lifted her chin with pride, letting her tears soak Merrick's robe. "Merrick, was I truly wrong?"

Her twisted logic made me want to laugh, yet Merrick nodded thoughtfully. "Celine, Kendra actually makes a fair point. You cannot stay pampered in your palace forever. Even as a lady, you should show some grit and courage, just like Kendra..."

My patience completely evaporated, and my heart sank into an icy abyss.

Even with undeniable proof before his eyes, Merrick would never take my side.

His heart had long since tilted toward the spirited Kendra, growing weary of my supposed fragility. Once bias took root, fairness became an illusion.

He patted Kendra's head gently. "I know your intentions were pure. Apologize to Celine, and let us put this behind us."

Wiping her tears, Kendra threw me a resentful glare before turning and running out of the room crying.

Merrick softened, turning to me with disapproval. "Kendra meant well. Why must you push her into a corner? You were never this petty, Celine."

I stifled a yawn and met his gaze with crystal clarity. "Thank you for the lecture, Lord Merrick. If there is nothing else, please leave."

"This is an unmarried woman's bedchamber. It is inappropriate for you to linger here."

His eyes widened, and he reached out to grab my hand. "What did you just call me? Since when have we become so distant? Corbin and I have visited your chambers every day since childhood!"

Seeing my impassive face, Merrick grew furious. "Kendra was right. Only a woman with a broad mind can act freely without petty inhibitions. Trapping yourself in this palace has made you bitter and self-pitying!"

Unable to watch any longer, Phoebe shoved him out the door.

"Lord Merrick, you had better hurry and comfort Kendra instead of wasting your breath here!"