By some remarkable twist of fate, Simon bore the same rabbit-shaped birthmark on his arm, and the jade pendant he carried matched the description of the lost heir's.
With these two signs, Simon's status as the Duke's heir was solidly established.
And I, Simon's sister, suddenly became a guest of honor in the Duke's household.
But the truth was, Simon wasn't the real heir.
I had watched him grow up beside me—I knew he couldn't be the lost son.
"Eliza?" Simon's soft voice pulled me back from my thoughts.
I looked up, meeting his worried eyes, and shook my head gently. "I'm fine."
Only then did he relax, letting out a quiet sigh.
We were attending this banquet today to make our presence known and to show everyone that Simon Sheppard was now the Duke of Avon's heir.
After the banquet concluded, Simon and I boarded the carriage back to the estate.
Inside, the facade Simon had maintained in public fell away, and his voice was filled with uncertainty. "Eliza, is what we're doing really the right thing?"
At just fifteen, Simon was still a boy—his wide, dark eyes stared at me, full of dependence and doubt.