Chapter 3

The maid was so terrified that she nearly lost her wits.

Father waved his hand, and the other maids stepped forward. Sure enough, they found some gold coins on her.

She raised her head in panic and met Ophelia's eyes. After gritting her teeth, she hurriedly bowed her head to confess.

"It was my greed that got the better of me. I stole something from the household. Then, I falsely accused Ms. Jemima. I was afraid I'd be exposed, so I put the stolen item back in Ms. Zara's room. It was all my fault."

At this point, there was little chance the maid would change her story.

I looked toward Ophelia. She glared at me with eyes full of smug satisfaction.

Father ordered the maid to be expelled from the household, and the whole matter was dismissed just like that.

The bronze mirror cried out indignantly, "Your father is so biased. Anyone with eyes can see what really happened."

I returned to my room and placed the mirror on my bed.

I said, "Father isn't going to have a fallout with Ophelia over something so minor. As long as my name is cleared, I'm already satisfied. Thank you."

Even so, I couldn't help feeling uneasy. After what had happened, Ophelia certainly wouldn't let me off easily.

Sure enough, it only took a few days, and she made a move.

There was going to be a spring banquet in the palace. Both Zara and I were among those invited. So, Ophelia had maids deliver our dresses early that morning.

I was just about to pick mine up when the bronze mirror warned, "Don't touch it! There's cherry blossom pollen on it. Ophelia wants you to have an allergic reaction and ruin your face."

My heart jolted, and I quickly pulled my hand back.

Father was allergic to cherry blossom pollen, as were Zara and I. That was why we never planted cherry blossoms anywhere in the household.

Yet, Ophelia had come up with such a vicious way to harm me.

I stared at the dress on the table and suddenly had an idea. If that was how she wanted to play it, then she shouldn't blame me for playing along. If someone wanted to hurt me, I wasn't going to sit there and take it.

I had my maid hang the dress up. Then, I ordered her to decorate it with gold thread and pearls. After that was done, the dress looked far more exquisite and luxurious than it had before.

I also had word spread that I had received an incredibly beautiful dress.

That very afternoon, Zara came to my room. Her eyes landed on the dress hanging on the rack before turning to me.

She sneered, "Jemima, you're an illegitimate daughter. Where did you get such fine clothes? Don't tell me you stole them from somewhere again?"

I stood up and said in a timid voice, "Would I dare do that, Zara? Mother sent this dress over. I added some gold thread and pearls. That's why it looks more luxurious now."

Zara gave a cold snort and grabbed my arm. "I knew you were trouble. Your mother seduced Father back then and gave birth to you. Now, you intend to dress yourself up, don't you? Who are you planning to seduce? I'm taking this dress. Let's see what you'll wear to the spring banquet, then."

My heart clenched at the mention of Mother, but I kept my expression perfectly calm.

I pretended to reach for her while pleading softly, "Zara, I had this dress embellished just for the spring banquet. Please don't take it."

She shoved me away.

I fell to the floor, sending everything around me tumbling down.

Zara said disdainfully, "Do you think you're worthy of wearing something this fine? Dream on if you think you're going to parade around at the spring banquet and attract every man's attention, you slut. Once Mother finds you a husband and marries you off, maybe you'll finally learn your place."

I remained seated on the floor, watching helplessly as she took the dress away.

The bronze mirror chuckled. "You're getting better at this, my dear child. You've even learned how to fight back."

I picked it up and gently stroked its surface. "I can't let them step all over me forever. You're right. If Mother were watching, she'd be heartbroken to see me like this. I have to live with all my strength. I have to live better than every one of them. I have to live long enough to make Mother proud."