CHAPTER 178: LIES LIES

When Charlotte returned from her walk with Viktor, she leaned against the door of her chambers, releasing a long sigh. Her gaze swept over the scattered clothes and shoes littering the room. She would have to tidy them up, arranging everything back into the wardrobe and restoring some order before dinner.

Letting out another sigh, she pushed herself off the door and got to work, folding dresses, straightening shoes, and placing them neatly where they belonged.

About thirty minutes later, Charlotte had successfully tidied her room, making it look presentable once again. With the envelope now in her hand, she stood before her mirror as she carefully pulled out the golden necklace. Holding it, she fastened it around her neck.

If she was going to ask Vanessa about this necklace, she wanted to wear it, she wanted Vanessa to see it.

After adjusting her hair and smoothing her dress, Charlotte stepped out of her chambers, closing the door behind her. She made her way to Vanessa’s room and knocked twice. There was no response. She tried the doorknob, but it was locked. Vanessa was not in her room.

Charlotte checked the garden next, but Vanessa was not there either. There was only one last place Charlotte suspected she might be, the kitchen.

Sure enough, Charlotte found her there.

Vanessa was standing at the counter, mixing something in a bowl. Charlotte paused at the entrance for a moment, straightening her shoulders before walking in.

"Good evening, Vanessa," she greeted.

The woman lifted her head, offering a warm smile. "Ah, Charlotte. How are you feeling? I hope you’re much better now."

"Very well, thank you for asking. I feel much better," Charlotte replied, noticing how Vanessa’s eyes flickered briefly to the necklace around her neck.

"That’s good," Vanessa said as she returned to her task, mixing in the bowl. "Can I help you with anything?"

"Not at all. I was just a bit bored in my chambers, so I thought I’d come to help out. You’re making dinner all by yourself?"

"Yes, I am," Vanessa replied with a small chuckle. "I love cooking alone. "What about Lilith?"

Charlotte asked, leaning casually against the counter. "I thought I might spend time with her, but she’s asleep. I didn’t want to disturb her."

Vanessa smiled. "Lilith would certainly keep you less... bored." Her eyes flicked to the necklace again, lingering for a heartbeat before returning to the mixture in her bowl.

Charlotte watched her carefully, no longer interested in playing games or dancing around the truth. She had come here for answers, and she would get them.

"Is there anything I can help with?" she asked, stepping a little closer to Vanessa’s side.

"No, I’m almost done cooking," Vanessa replied easily. "But you can help set the table if you like."

"Alright." Charlotte hesitated briefly, then decided she would not let this moment pass. "Vanessa," she began, "You’ve been staring at my necklace. Is it familiar? Do you... have one like it?"

Vanessa’s hands paused over the bowl, she held Charlotte’s gaze for a second before she finally blinked and looked away, focusing on the pot.

"How did you know that?" Vanessa asked.

Charlotte swallowed. "I didn’t know. I just guessed. You’ve been looking at it since I walked in and I figured it might be familiar to you."

Vanessa exhaled. "Well, you’re right. I do have one exactly like it."

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. "Strange, don’t you think? Having the exact same necklace as this."

"Yes, it is," Vanessa agreed.

"If I may ask, how did you get yours?"

There was a brief silence before Vanessa spoke. "A good friend gave it to me a long time ago." She looked up at Charlotte. "How did you get yours?"

"I bought it from the market years ago. Actually, my father did." She replied with a smile, a smile Vanessa returned, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"I have a another question to ask."

"What is it?"

"It’s about Viktor. I’ve noticed how you act around him. What is it that you’re not telling us? Do you know Viktor?" Charlotte pressed.

Vanessa moved to wash her hands, then wiped them on her apron before turning to face Charlotte, her hands resting on the counter behind her. "He looked familiar. My friend from long ago had a son... she lost him. That boy looked exactly like Viktor, and I thought, for a moment, that he might be the same person." She paused to swallow. "Forgive me if I’ve been acting strangely around him. I meant no harm."

Charlotte studied her carefully. "So you’re saying Viktor is not your friend’s son?"

"No, he is not. I apologize again for my strange behavior. Truly, I’m sorry."

For some reason, something tugged at the back of Charlotte’s mind, suspicion that Vanessa wasn’t telling the full truth. But without proof, she couldn’t press further. She decided to let it go, at least for now.

"It’s no problem. Now that I know, it’s alright." She offered a polite smile.

"Thank you, Charlotte," Vanessa said, returning the smile before pulling plates from the cupboard. "Help me set the table. Dinner is ready."

"Okay, I’ll do that." Charlotte carried the plates to the dining room, arranging the table as their earlier conversation replayed in her mind. Something didn’t sit right. The coincidences were too perfect to ignore. One way or another, she would find the complete truth and she needed to do so before they left for Valyron.

Vanessa soon returned with bowls of soup, potatoes, beef, and drinks.

"Could you ask Viktor and Lilith if they would like to join us for dinner?"

"Very well," Charlotte said, turning to leave.

"Also, tell her Gerald is out of town for the next two days," Vanessa added, causing Charlotte to stop and glance back.

"I’ll let her know," she said before heading off to find Lilith and Viktor, who both agreed to come down for dinner.

When they arrived at the table, Vanessa and Penelope were already seated. After exchanging pleasantries, Lilith asked her mother about Prudence, and Vanessa explained that she had a headache and wouldn’t be joining them.

Without her sister present, Penelope remained quiet, eating her food in silence. When the meal was over, Penelope, Viktor, and Charlotte returned to their chambers, while Lilith stayed behind to help her mother clear the table and wash the dishes.

Later that night, Charlotte lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her eyes drifted to the clock, it was a few minutes past ten. Three hours had passed since dinner, yet she still couldn’t sleep.

She would have loved to go for a walk, but it was raining heavily, so she was confined to the four walls of her room.

With a sigh, she turned onto her side, pulling the blanket over her head and closing her eyes, patiently waiting for sleep to finally overtake her.