"Did you push her on purpose?" Andreas repeated, his voice cold and accusatory.
"What?" Liliana stared at him, her heart sinking. "You truly think that I... that I would intentionally push her into the water?"
"Yes!" Andreas snapped. "You've made it clear from the beginning that you don't like her."
"Hah... Hahaha..." A hollow, bitter laugh escaped Liliana's lips. She couldn't believe the absurdity of the situation. Andreas watched her, unmoved by her distress.
"Yes... indeed, I don't like her," Liliana said, gesturing for Anna to leave the room. Anna bowed and retreated, closing the door softly behind her.
"But do not misunderstand," Liliana continued, her voice trembling. "It isn't hatred. It's... something else. You wouldn't understand even if I said it out loud."
"What are you talking about?" Andreas demanded.
"I didn't push her," Liliana stated firmly. "Why would I? I was the one who dove in to save her from drowning!"
"Because you wanted my attention," Andreas countered. "You hurt her just so you could rescue her and play the hero."
"Just what kind of awful person do you think I am?" Anger finally surged through her, masking the deep sadness in her soul. "To do something so lowly... I can't believe you. Did she tell you that? Did Melissa lie to you?"
"Don't involve her in this!" Andreas barked. "I want you to apologize to her. Immediately."
"I should have just let her die," Liliana whispered, her voice cracking. "At least then you would be right. But I will never apologize for something I didn't do! Yes, I dislike her because it is so easy for her to be near you... while I barely see your face. Tell me, Andreas—why her? Why not me?"
"There are many reasons," Andreas said coldly.
"List them!" Liliana challenged him. "Spell them all out! I want to hear exactly why I am not enough."
Andreas didn't answer. He simply turned his back on her and walked toward the door. "Go and apologize to her," were his final words before he disappeared.
Liliana stood alone, and suddenly, the dam broke. Tears began to flow from her blue eyes, like raindrops falling from a clear sky on a summer day.
"Anna!" she screamed, wiping her eyes.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Anna rushed in.
"Call Ria. Now! Hurry!"
Once Anna left, Liliana sank onto the sofa, her sobbing breaths the only sound in the room. "I will find out," she vowed. "I will find out exactly what makes her so special."
When Ria arrived, she found Liliana sitting by the window, her eyes red and swollen.
"You called for me, Your Majesty," Ria said softly.
"Yes," Liliana's voice had turned dangerously cold. "Find out everything about that girl. Every detail. Every secret. And find out everything about her connection to His Majesty. Do not miss a single thing."
The next day, Liliana tried to focus on her documents, but her mind was elsewhere. A knock at the door interrupted her.
"Your Majesty, Miss Melissa has come to see you," Anna announced.
"Send her away," Liliana said calmly. "I don't want to see her."
A few moments later, voices rose outside the door.
"You cannot enter! Her Majesty is not available!" Anna was saying.
"It will only take a minute," Melissa pleaded. "I won't take much of her time."
Liliana stood up and opened the door, her expression icy. "What is this mess? Miss Melissa, please leave. I have nothing to say to you."
"Your Majesty, I only wanted to thank you and apologize," Melissa said, looking down.
Liliana turned her back, signaling Anna to close the door.
"I know His Majesty came here yesterday," Melissa added quickly.
Liliana froze.
"He misunderstood everything. I sincerely apologize... You saved my life, and yet you were blamed for it." Melissa stepped forward and placed a small object on the table. "And... here is this."
It was the rose-shaped hairpin.
"I'm sorry for bothering you," Melissa said, then turned and left.
Liliana stared at the hairpin. "She brought it back?" "Your Majesty!" Ria's voice broke the silence. She had entered the room through the side door, looking winded.
"Ria? You're back sooner than I expected. Did you find what I asked for?"
"Yes," Ria said, her face grim. "I found everything."
"I'm listening," Liliana said, led Ria into her private study and closing the door.
"They were..." Ria began.