Juliet, by the time she became aware, no longer had a mother. However, she lived with her beloved father, elder sister, nursemaid, and surrounded by maids and other kind people. Although not having a mother made her feel very lonely and sad, she was still happy.

Only her body was weak, and she had to spend much of her childhood in bed, which was very painful.

Even now, she was prone to illness, albeit not as much as before. Taking this into consideration, the people around her ensured she wouldn’t be burdened.

“Her Highness the Crown Princess is a spitting image of His Majesty.”

“There’s no need to worry about the future of this country.”

Often, she found herself jealous of her older sister and thought it unfair that she was not only admired and respected by everyone, but also relied upon. At the same time, she listened to her selfish requests, was competent like their father, kind, and was a sister she could take pride in.

Her older sister—Charlotte—also loved Juliet. Or so she had thought.

A few days ago, Charlotte was imprisoned for treason. Believing there was some mistake, Juliet had continuously begged to see her, but had been rejected each time. –Today, she was finally granted permission.

Charlotte was supposed to deny having done such a thing, say she hadn’t betrayed her country.

However, what came out of her sister’s mouth wasn’t a plea of innocence, but an admission of guilt. Along with curses to Juliet.

“Lies… they’re lies… that can’t be true… that’s not my sister…”

Juliet was muttering to herself atop her bed in her room.

The image of her sister gleefully directing malice at her— that was a complete stranger. Juliet couldn’t believe that was her beloved older sister.

“I hate you so much that I want to kill you.”

That was what she said, but that couldn’t be true. There was no way her sister could hate her, such a thing just couldn’t be.

Juliet hugged her pillow and ceaselessly denied what had happened in the dungeon, not knowing how much time had even passed. Suddenly, her nursemaid entered the room in a panic.

“Lady Juliet!”

Juliet looked up with vacant eyes. Her nursemaid, who always cared for Juliet like a mother, had a pained expression.

“…Lady Charlotte has passed away.”

Juliet’s eyes widened at those firmly spoken words.

“…What do you mean?”

“I was told… suicide.”

“…Sui…cide?”

Juliet repeated the word, desperately trying to make sense of it with her numb mind.

My sister is dead. She chose death.

Slowly understanding that fact, blood drained from her face.

“Face reality, Juliet. This was brought upon by none other than yourself.”

…it can’t be.

“Being able to see your face full of despair at the end, I feel a bit relieved.”

It can’t be.

She grabbed her arms as if trying to embrace herself, trembling.

“No… no, no. It’s not my fault. Older Sister wouldn’t say such horrible things to me. No… That’s not true…”

“As if I could ever love someone like you. There’s no way that could happen.”

“Older Sister loved me… she loved me… very much…”

“You always acted only for your own sake. You’re a selfish person through and through. I abhor your existence.”

“No… no… Older Sister is… Older Sister is…!”

Curling up on her bed, Juliet cried out, weeping.

“Lady Juliet.”

The call was filled with concern, but it didn’t reach her ears.

Her sister committed suicide— maybe it was her fault. Maybe her own actions caused her death. Maybe she made her chose death.  Overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, she started to panic.

“You hate me too, don’t you?”

Juliet occasionally though it was unfair, having a sister who was beautiful, smart, and capable at everything, but she didn’t hate her. She didn’t hate her— she never…

“You’re aware of your shortcomings, your incompetence, so you harbor an inferiority complex toward me. And yet you don’t even try to put in any effort. It’s just pathetic.”

I don’t hate you…

Juliet didn’t hate Charlotte, and Charlotte didn’t hate her, either.

They were supposed to be close, ideal sisters.

“It’s not true, Older Sister…”

“I’m tired of cleaning up after my incompetent little sister.”

“I… I just…”

“The idea that I’d have to keep taking care of you was unbearable, so I threw everything away.”

“…I’m sor…ry…”

“Every time you call me ‘Older Sister,’ it makes my skin crawl.”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…!”

Repeating her apologies, Juliet suddenly lifted her head. With a face still wet with tears and twisted in pain, she slowly crawled across her bed.

“Lady Juliet?”

“Older Sister, I’m sorry… Older Sister, Older Sister, please, don’t leave me… I’m sorry, I’ll be good, I promise… Please, don’t die, don’t leave me… Older Sister… Older Sister…!”

Juliet, on the verge of falling off the bed, was stopped, held tight by her nursemaid.

Juliet was probably trying to go see Charlotte. However, it’d be best if she didn’t. The nursemaid hadn’t seen the scene herself, but she had heard that Charlotte had slit her own throat and was drenched with blood. Juliet could not be allowed to see that, not under any circumstances.

—The gentle and frail Juliet would never be able to withstand the shock. It would break her beyond help.

She had been raised far too protected. The nursemaid had always known that, but… after Juliet had lost her mother and was revealed to be sickly and frail, she was too pitiable. The nursemaid had known her since the day she was born.  The girl was precious, dear, and far too easy to spoil.

The nursemaid had also cared for Charlotte too, she had been ever since she was born. When the queen passed away, she had become a mother figure for both princesses.  Charlotte was always so capable, mature, that her coming to focus more on Juliet was only natural. Yet Charlotte was also quite young, surely still in need of love, and despite that…

Juliet was often ill and constantly seeking affection, always in need of attention. Hence Charlotte was neglected. Everyone thought she would be fine even without any, but that couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

It was the people around them who had twisted these sisters into what they became.

“Older Sister, no, don’t go… Older Sister…!”

I’m so sorry, Lady Juliet… I’m so sorry, Lady Charlotte…

Holding Juliet tightly in her arms, the nursemaid too began to shed tears.

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