Because Of You

Everyone looked at each other with knowing eyes. The song was good but it was much inferior to the songs Soliene and Evan had played. If this was their level, Evan did not need to be jealous of Elene and Soliene did not need to play dirty to win against Elene.

Elene could hear the whispers behind her and her hands trembled again. She could play better than this but the anxiety and fear did not let her concentrate and gave a half cooked performance before stopping abruptly and standing up to face her sister.

"It is because of you. You have planned all this from the start. That is the only reason you agreed with us. You wanted to see me getting humiliated. Right?" she gritted her teeth and spat the words full of hatred.

If possible, she wanted to kill Evan then and there. She wanted to throw him out the window or worse. But she could feel their eyes burning her skin, scalding it.

"I do not need to explain further, my lord. Lady Evangeline did not feel jealous of her sister. With this talent, even I would not be jealous of Lady Elene or anyone else in the room. Right?" he asked, looking around and found many girls nodding.

These girls.. He knew they care for no one. They were here for gossip. It did not matter which sister of Midnight Star humiliated themselves. They were a proud family that would make good gossip anyway.

"Lady Agatha, since you are an expert in the field, why don't you throw light on their performance." Agatha shut her lips tight. She was in doubt about Elene but she had taught the young girl and she must save her now. Their image was bound together in this accident.

So, she had decided, even if Elene would be on par, she would find a way to announce her winner. But this performance was too beneath Soliene and Evangeline.

"And if paid close attention, Lady Elene's words were no less than an admission that they have asked Evan to take their place. But they lied when caught and once again asked the lady to bear the responsibility of their actions.

Lady Evangelina was a victim from the start. Yet, she had accepted every harsh word from us and was ready for punishment too." His words earned an uproar. They looked at him with shock.

As if rewinding the whole accident, they finally understood what Elene had done. Everyone looked at her with disgust. Even her friends, who used to follow her everywhere singing her praises, looked away as if they did not know each other.

"No! That is not the case. I did not say that. She is twisting my words, blaming me because she hates me." Elene fought with tears in her eyes but everyone could notice panic on her face and the guilt hidden beneath.

Jonathan smirked softly, "but lady Elene, lady Evangeline had not whispered a word about the accident except accepting that she is sick.

You are the one who spilled the truth." Elene shook her head. This could not be happening with her. It was Evangeline who should bear scorn. She should be loved and revered by them.

"I did not.."

"That is enough." Harold gritted his teeth and held Elene by her wrist. "You should reflect on your mistakes. How could you be so cruel to your sister." Elene looked at him aghast. Even he was leaving her when she needed him most.

Tears fell from her eyes but he signaled her writing "wait" on her wrist with his fingers. She stared at him for long before nodding her head. Only then his grip loosened a bit.

The spectators would believe that he had scolded her for her mistake but Even knew. Harold was not saving Elene. He was saving himself. After all, he had an image to uphold.

"Lord Crawford. I am thankful for your investigation. You have proven my wife innocent. Thank you for your hard work. I will donate to the organization appropriately." he paused, waiting for his words to sink in before continuing, "but as you can see, this matter had escalated between sisters. It would be better that sisters would handle it."

Evan sneered. They did not care about sisterhood all this time but now to save their asses, they were using her again. But that was what she wanted from the start. So, she nodded before Jonathan could refuse.

"Yes, I am grateful for your efforts. But I did not mind taking the blame for my sister. She is still young. It would be a favor if the matter is not taken further. I do not want my sister to suffer." Evan lowered her head and spoke in a soft voice full of pain and then looked at Elene longingly. 

Jonathan looked at the crowd for long as if he could not hear her and then sighed.

"Alright, my lady. Since the victim did not want to pursue the case, we will end it here. But if you ever need my help. My office is open for you. And the maid who had complained, we are keeping some documentation for her." Evan nodded at once and then looked at Harold.

The man's eyes were narrowed on Evan as if he knew her every trick. But he did not say a word. Bowing his head to thank everyone. He held Evan by her shoulder and wrapped his other palm on Elene's wrist and dragged both women out of the room.

He only stopped in front of the carriage and once they entered it, he followed.

"Harold, why did you not help me? Now they all think it was a mistake. My image, my position in society would be ruined. More than that, I will never get the chance to work in the academy again." Elene bit her lips and sobbed as if she had suffered grievances, "and that is all because of her. You must punish her."