Baby after One Night with the Prince
Chapter 39 - She Is A Copycat

Tanya's POV.

Everyone's eyes are on Lily as she comes to the front of the stage, and from the sidelines a professional-looking investigator steps out from the crowd, coming up to stand beside her. He holds a file and carries a bag that he sets on one of the tables, unloading its contents to reveal perfumes that he places down.

"I've done a detailed investigation of Malik's perfume store where Tanya use to work."

My body shudders with uncertainty, standing by Marco as I turn to face Lily whilst she continues addressing the judges and the crowd. "These are perfume samples sold at Malik's store," she hands them out to the judges. "As you'll soon realize, many of these perfumes smell exactly like my winning perfume creations from previous competitions."

The previous silence dispels as the crowd mutters and whispers amongst themselves. The judges each receive a sample, and take a sniff, nodding their heads in agreement, urging her to continue. "I don't know how Tanya got the recipes for the perfumes, but it's clear that she has been secretly copying my work. And because of this, I hope you will reconsider awarding her the win, since a copycat doesn't deserve first place."

Upon voicing her final thoughts, her gaze splits to me, maintaining a cold polished stare, that no one could decern but myself. I know on the inside; Lily is smirking at how well-planned this all is.

In reaction, I step away from Marco to declare my innocence. "But- but I never stole Lily's creations. Those are all my original perfumes!"

Lily's investigator opens his file, handing her pages upon pages of images and notes which she shows the crowd and judges. Particular images showcase me working there, and notes display my employee contract. "Here is real identifiable proof that she was at Malik's store and worked on these perfumes herself. She was copying my work."

From behind me, I hear voices. Some not believing me at all, while others are too shocked to comment. Tears of mine threaten to spill as no one seems to believe me. All the evidence falls in Lily's favor, and I have nothing to show to prove myself not guilty.

It's then I suddenly realize that all the trouble I've been having at the competition, all the mishaps and 'accidents', must've been Lily attempting to sabotage my creations and stop me from winning.

I'm overcome with shock as I recall the familiar scent, I smelled that day at the company's perfume display. I can't fully be sure, but if what my gut is telling me is true... then Lily may have been secretly copying my work all along! But how?

***

The distressing matter eventually attracts the attention of the royal family who are now involved in the trial of this incident. The massive assembly takes place at the palace, in a large room that replicates that of a courthouse since the royal family is often responsible for carrying out major trials on matters that involve the kingdom.

This must've been something exponential, as so many people are present today. I sit in a booth on my own, extremely unnerved, and scared. Lily sits exactly opposite me on the other end of the room, remaining utterly calm and collected in her mannerisms.

The lesser royals sit on long rows of wooden benches that incase us in an arc. And at the top of the room is a long wooden table, with a chair for each member of the ruling royal family. The King, the Queen, Prince Eric and of course Prince Marco.

Hours pass as there is consistent back and forth on the truth of the matter, and no one can come to a decisive decision on the true answer. Some royals propose I should be stripped of my first-place win in the perfume competition entirely. This sets my heart racing, all my hard work would be futile if Lily somehow proves I'm guilty. Even if I know I'm not.

Marco then stands to speak. "Tanya should at least be given three days to prove her innocence. If after then, Tanya still can't provide evidence, it won't be too late to have another trial," I appreciate Marco's suggestion, hoping I'm granted it. But not everyone is happy about it, the room erupts into shouts and objections to the proposal while I hunch down, growing smaller and smaller in my chair, wishing I can just disappear from it all. It's then that the King yells out a command, silencing everyone, and says that the proposal will be put to a vote.

Tensions rise as they go round the room, and I watch with wide eyes as Lily, and I are both evenly matched. I still don't think many of the royals care for me, but I assume they maybe feel sorry for me or are unable to ignore the deathly stare Marco would give them.

Finally, all who are left are the two princes. I smile softly at Marco when he raises his hand to vouch for me. But what surprises me is when Eric raises his hand too! I'm not the only one surprised, Lily too is stunned by her fiancé's actions, but quickly hides her emotions behind a facade not to showcase her reaction.

Prince Eric's vote is what guarantees me my chance to replace proof within three days. When the trial is dismissed, everyone wanders off to have their own conversations, and I walk up to Eric to thank him.

"Eric, um, thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance to prove my innocence," I lower my head in the presence of the prince, awkwardly standing as I try to express my gratitude.

I've somehow understood the difference between Marco's and Eric's nature. Both are immeasurably confident males; however, Marco's confidence comes in the form of inflicting fear and inducing submission from those around him with his ruthlessness. Eric's is of a different kind, his smile somehow subdues you into trusting him, into feeling comfortable round him, even when you very well know what the Lycan Prince is capable of.

I think of this as he gives me his ever so natural gentlemanly smile. "In all honesty, I want to give you time to prove yourself because I'm also curious to know the truth about this matter. Why settle it now when you could prove us all wrong," he says this with a playful tone to his voice, like the whole ordeal is entertaining to witness. Which I couldn't blame him for, this is indeed a spectacle.

I nod my head in a respectful manner and stand idle as he wishes me luck before being swept away by other nobles interested in conversing with him. I slowly walk to the edge of the room, looking for Marco, when I spot him in a heated argument with Lily. I pull strands of my hair behind my ear as I can't help but overhear the conversation.

"How could you? Even if you don't love me anymore Marco, you should at least be honest and true to your morals. Just because you're loyal to Tanya does not mean you should endorse her lies," I'd never really seen Lily so angry before, it must've really hurt her that Marco voted for me. "You've seen how hard I've worked on my perfumes for years! And now you're ruining my entire career just because of her?"

Marco barely reacts to this, acting unbothered and uncaring to Lily's dramatics. Instead, once she finishes expressing her dismay, he outwardly chuckles with no concern for her rage. "I've been to Malik's perfume store, I've smelled these perfumes in the past Lily," he states. "However, I asked Malik and he told me that Tanya had been a part of her small pack for her entire life. How would she have access to perfumes all the way in the capital? And her learning opportunities were vastly limited too. It just doesn't make any sense of how she'd get a hold of your perfumes."

Just then, Marco's demeanor changes into something much more serious. My husband takes an intimidating step towards Lily, dangerously close as he towers over her with his penetrating icy glare. She can't help but shrink from the mental pressure he exudes as he speaks. "And how does an omega like Tanya, who has no wolf, steal these perfumes from you? Especially when they're not even sold publicly?"

He cocks his head to the right, leaning down to her in a taunt of his power. "Is Tanya copying you? Or is it actually the other way around?"

Lily is obviously flustered by Marco's presence and delivery. But I can't help but be touched by the fact that he believes me.

***

The next day, Marco and I return to my hometown, the Blackhide Pack. And it feels so strange to return to the place I grew up after all this time. The place hasn't changed, but I have. And I wonder who I would've been if Marco never found me. But besides this, there's an important reason why I'm here, and what I'm after, is possibly the one thing that can protect my career.

For every perfume I created, I wrote a manuscript, detailing the design. Each dated accordingly. They were all safely placed in a room not far from Malik's perfume shop. He had noticed back then how so engrossed and obsessed I was with perfumery. So he offered me a room where I could practice and keep my tools and manuscripts safe.

Marco and I arrive there in no time. And he waits outside whilst I go in to get them. The room itself holds many memories, and is the place I escaped too when my family abuse got too much to bear. Perfumery was my freedom, it is my freedom now more than ever. In a desperate search, I look everywhere, but I'm able to replace all my manuscripts except the ones that Lily's accused of me copying.

I think back to who has the keys to my room, and other than Malik, Brandon my former boyfriend, was the only other person I shared this sacred place with. Just then, my heart plummets with dread. I hear a noise of 'click' and turn to face Brandon who stares at me with hunger and desire in his eyes as he holds my manuscripts in his hand.