The speakers were noble ladies, their disdain barely concealed as their eyes fixed upon me.
I frowned slightly, but before I could say anything, a clear, steady voice rang out beside me, cutting through the air. "She was, is, and always will be my sister!"
It was Simon.
His declaration made the noblewomen's faces shift instantly.
I lowered my eyes, my thoughts drifting back to a month ago.
At that time, Simon and I were still the children of a minor official from a small town on the kingdom's outskirts. But shortly after our arrival in London, we encountered a servant whose attire was far too refined for his status.
At first, we paid him no mind. But after scrutinizing Simon carefully, the man suddenly knelt and cried out, "My lord! At last, I have found you!"
Simon and I were bewildered, and the servant began to recount the entire story.
It turned out that years ago, while the Duchess of Avon accompanied the Duke on their escape, she gave birth to a son and entrusted him to a peasant woman. However, upon their return to find the woman and child, both had vanished. The only clues were a distinct birthmark and a jade pendant.