"Let him go!" Reginald waved his hand. The spectacle before him was far more exciting than he had anticipated. He watched the blue-clad woman slipping away through the crowd, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "Harland, take him somewhere safe. He might be useful later. I’ve got some business to attend to, so I’ll be heading off first." With that, he turned and headed downstairs.The green-clad woman supported the old maid as they left the Fitzroy estate. Glancing around carefully, they slipped unnoticed into an inn.Upstairs in a private room, Molly, who had been waiting, rushed over to assist the blue-clad woman with a beaming smile. "Miss, I was watching from the side. You were amazing! You had them all speechless! I was laughing so hard, my stomach hurt!"The green-clad woman was none other than Miranda in disguise.Choosing the right person to play the blue-clad woman was crucial since she had to face Steven directly. Who knew what tricks he might pull? A single misstep, and
This girl, she actually suspects he wants to kill someone?If he were to kill someone, she’d be the first!Noticing Reginald’s clear irritation, Miranda stuck out her tongue. Just then, Molly brought in tea, and Miranda eagerly took it, handing it to him personally. She said, “It was small-minded of me to think that way about you, Lord Reginald. Rest assured, both Fitzroy and Croyso are capable enough to keep someone hidden without letting her ruin things.”Seeing that she still worried he might kill the old woman to keep her quiet, Reginald sneered but didn’t argue, nor did he take the tea. He merely looked at her with a distant gaze.“Lord Reginald?” Miranda called softly, testing his mood.Reginald seemed to realize his anger was somewhat unwarranted. He let out a cold snort, abruptly stood, turned away, and said icily, “Do whatever you like, as long as it doesn’t mess things up.” Without using the main exit, he leapt out of the open window in one swift move, leaving the inn behind
This outcome was within Miranda's expectations.Steven’s incident was sudden, coming at an inopportune moment with the murder case. During her confrontation that day, Miranda had repeatedly emphasized waiting for Jasendale’s investigation results. Lord Green, a veteran in the halls of power, could surely sense something amiss. With Steven’s abrupt disappearance, even though he couldn’t secure concrete evidence, it was clear that he had pieced together the truth."My father-in-law asked me to convey his thanks to you, Miranda, and he sent a token of gratitude, which has already been delivered to your chambers. And I’ve brought my own gift as well. Honestly, you saved Wensley from an absurd engagement, which is as good as saving my life!" Lady Fitzroy laughed heartily. "If ever you need a favor from me or the Fitzroy estate, don’t hesitate to ask!"Miranda shook her head with a smile. “You and Lord Fitzroy are too kind. Wensley is my friend, and I didn’t want to see her marry someone un
In the evening, upon returning to the quiet comfort of his study, Lord Croyso received a letter bearing the familiar seal of Lady Langley. He paused, turning it over thoughtfully before breaking the wax seal and reading her message. She conveyed Lady Fitzroy’s words, raising the topic of Miranda’s marriage. Lord Croyso pondered for a moment before writing, “I’ve actually been thinking about Miranda’s marriage for some time now. I have my eye on Earl Sheffield’s son, Fulton. He has a good temperament, is ambitious, and, from what I can see, he seems quite taken with Miranda. Sheffield and I have a close friendship, and he’s straightforward and trustworthy. For my sake, he’d surely treat Miranda well. I think it’s a promising match, but I’m still considering it.”Since Lady Langley mentioned Miranda’s marriage, Lord Croyso realized he should also start considering Selena’s future.***As the light from her candle flickered across the walls, Lady Langley sat quietly, deep in thought. "Th
Selena lowered her head, hesitating for a moment before slowly unfolding the embroidered cloak in front of her father.Selena had added a subtle touch of her own; she stitched her name discreetly into the sleeve of the cloak, in a barely noticeable color.Prince Zachary was already known for his charm and talent, and with her own intelligence and beauty, Selena was confident that it was only a matter of time before she earned his unwavering favor once she entered his palace. When Zachary finally ascended the throne…Then, she would make sure that vile Miranda would be groveling at her feet, begging for mercy!Earl Croyso glanced at his daughter and, seeing that she had completed the cloak he had firmly opposed, frowned and scolded, "You’re so determined; now that it's finished, why not hurry and send it over?"Selena knew that acting rashly wouldn’t achieve her goal and could harm her relationship with her father. She quickly replied, "After hearing your advice last time, Father, I sp
Easter was the liveliest day of the year in town. Children darted about, hunting for colorful eggs, while the streets overflowed with people celebrating. Stalls displayed painted eggs and holiday trinkets, creating a vibrant market. For young noblewomen like those of the Croyso family, this day offered a rare opportunity to step outside the confines of their usual restraints, to experience the festive energy freely. It was a chance to mingle, to showcase their grace, and perhaps even to catch a few admiring glances.The Croyso household bustled from dawn, and, after everyone was dressed and ready, they boarded the carriage. With a flick of the reins, the driver set them toward the market, escorted by four family guards. The festivities had drawn throngs, and the streets were packed. Not only the Croyso carriage but several others were also at a standstill along the crowded route.Realizing the delay, Selena lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at the bustling crowds, and suggested, “S
"Young lady, alone here, must be feeling lonely, right? Why not let us keep you company and have a little chat?" Just from hearing those words, Miranda could tell these weren’t decent people."Isn't that so? Meeting like this must be fate!"The group of seven or eight men spouted suggestive words as they slowly approached where Miranda was seated.The people in nearby shops seemed to recognize who these men were, all instinctively stepping back to avoid any trouble. Even the teahouse owner discreetly slipped away, and the customers who had been resting there also left without a word. In the blink of an eye, Miranda was left alone at the teahouse, her mind racing as she quickly reviewed everything that had led to this moment.She was in a commoner’s district in the capital, and these men were clearly local thugs with a reputation for crude behavior. Everyone knew better than to get involved with such types. Usually, Miranda moved in circles frequented by high-ranking officials, with pa
Hans sat down gracefully, his long, slender fingers carved like fine jade, leisurely toying with the wine glass in his hand, seemingly indifferent as he observed the scene below."And who do you think you are, telling me to get lost?" The gang leader, already filled with rage, sneered at the sight of this scholarly young man in white, cracking his knuckles with a menacing grin. "Where did this fresh-faced lad come from, daring to meddle in my affairs? Today, if I don't teach you a lesson, you won't know who you're dealing with." With that, he clenched his fist, large as a bowl, and swung it toward Hans.Given Hans's delicate appearance, he looked like he wouldn’t withstand even a single punch.Gasps erupted from the crowd, most of them the soft, melodic voices of young women filled with concern.However, Hans remained unfazed. He drew the wooden sword from his waist and moved with fluid grace, striking, flicking, parrying, and hooking with precision. Like a serpent, each stroke hit th
Reginald’s expression remained calm and composed, a gentle smile playing on his lips. “Miss Quintina, don’t celebrate too soon. I may have won the race, but your cousin lost. Aren’t you worried this might upset him?” Though he knew full well that Zachary would be irritated by the loss, feeling bested, Reginald couldn’t resist repeatedly emphasizing the defeat.Standing nearby, Zachary ground his teeth in frustration but restrained himself from reacting in such a public setting.“My cousin isn’t that petty!” Quintina’s cheeks flushed slightly, her excitement undiminished as she cheerfully said, “Reginald, I knew you would win. Look! To celebrate your victory, I’ve specially embroidered this snow wolf cloak for you. It took me months of hard work to make it by hand. Do you like it?”With that, she opened a box she had been holding, taking out the cloak and unfurling it before them.Zachary, already aware of the cloak’s origins, feigned ignorance and nodded. “Impressive embroidery!”Marj
At that moment, faint but thunderous cheers and the pounding of drums echoed from below—it seemed the first horse race had begun. As time passed, the drumbeats and cheers grew louder and closer, heading swiftly toward the finish line. The riverbanks were packed with onlookers, a sea of people cheering wildly for the horses they had bet on. The deafening noise was so intense it seemed to shake the very ground.The lively atmosphere below appeared to affect even the dignitaries and nobles in the high pavilions. They, too, began shouting enthusiastically, casting aside their usual decorum.Even though Miranda wasn’t particularly interested in the outcome of the race, she couldn’t help but be swept up in the excitement. Clutching the window frame tightly, she peered downriver. On the wide track below, a group of horses gradually came into view, racing toward the finish line at breakneck speed. The competition was fierce, each horse vying for the lead.
Miranda vaguely sensed that, at the very moment she approached the window, Reginald had glanced at her briefly. However, that fleeting gaze was filled with unmistakable displeasure and irritation, and his eyes quickly dropped again, as though he couldn't bear to look at her any longer.It was clear that someone had managed to anger this guy yet again.Miranda couldn’t help but feel sympathy for whoever had incurred his wrath. This Lord Reginald was petty, vengeful, and notoriously temperamental. Whenever he was in a foul mood, everyone around him had to suffer the consequences. She wondered who the unlucky fool was this time. Whoever had crossed him to the extent that his anger lingered even now was surely doomed.“Marjorie, look across the way. The young lady in the blue dress by the window—that’s Miranda.”In the private room to the left, Zachary addressed the elderly, kind-looking woman standing behind him. “Marjorie, you’ve long served in the palace and have a sharp eye for people
As the new owner in this area, it was evident that such matters were well within their grasp. However, with the new owner’s background still unclear and the court's political situation remaining murky, Earl Croyso had no intention of taking sides. Thus, choosing to support either Prince Zachary or Lord Reginald would not be appropriate. The Blackwell and Linton families clearly held the same stance, while the Montforts, having been in decline for some time, were uninvolved with either faction. Being a military man who admired Lord Montfort, it was perfectly natural for Earl Croyso to bet on his success.For someone as young as Fulton to understand these intricacies was already quite remarkable.What was even more commendable was that, despite his youthful impetuosity, he had no intention of aligning himself with Prince Zachary or Lord Reginald in pursuit of personal gain. Such composure was rare among young men, and this thought made Lady Langley all the more satisfied. She had never e
At that moment, the sound of a servant catering to the nobility could be heard from outside the door. After a polite knock, the servant entered, carrying an oversized tray. On the tray lay nine gilded red sticks, each marked with a number and labeled with either a name or an estate. The servant explained with a smile, “This is a tradition for the Easter horse race. Before the race begins, we place bets on which horse might win. It’s just a bit of fun for the ladies. Would you like to try your luck?”“This sounds quite entertaining,” Lady Langley said with a smile. “Bring it over; let me have a look.”The nine gilded sticks were inscribed with the surnames of the corresponding families. Lady Langley recognized only about half of them, as some estates were unfamiliar to her. However, two stood out—one marked "His Highness Zachary" and another "Lord Reginald." Horses representing these two names, alongside those of such prominent families, clearly indicated that all participants hailed fr
Lady Fitzroy's eyes held a peculiar glint as she looked at Miranda with a meaningful smile and said, "Perhaps it’s the Croyso family’s good fortune, or maybe it’s just the luck of you sisters."Hearing her strange words, Miranda cast a questioning glance toward Lady Langley and Earl Croyso.They both seemed equally puzzled. Lady Langley replied, "I’m not entirely sure myself. When we reached our original seats, there was a commotion. Just as we were about to leave, the steward came over and mentioned that there was still a room available here at The Heavenly Lodge. Oddly enough, the guests who originally reserved this place sent word at the last minute that they couldn’t come, leaving it open for us to take."Miranda’s fine brows knit together. Such a coincidence?She always approached overly convenient situations with a degree of caution."How could it be such a coincidence?" Selena chimed in, curious yet delighted."Indeed, it’s rather strange," Lady Fitzroy laughed. "I was seated i
During the Easter celebrations, the lakeside chapel was bustling with crowds, and carriages could barely pass through. Eventually, the city's magistrate had to request a squad of royal guards to maintain order, finally clearing a path. However, when Miranda and Selena arrived at the chapel’s Pavilion, they were told by the manager and servants that their parents and sisters were not there."What did you say? Croyso family are not at the Pavilion beside chapel?" Selena asked softly, though there was a hint of anxiety in her tone. This was a prime opportunity, as high-ranking officials, nobles, and even royal family members would be attending the Easter festivities. Missing any chance to make a good impression was out of the question.The manager puzzled, "And you are?""We are the young ladies of the Croyso family. We were delayed by some matters but had planned to meet our parents here at the chapel’s Pavilion," Selena explained politely. "If you know where they have gone, we would be
The Easter celebration was being held at the lakeside plaza, drawing a vast, bustling crowd."Young Master, please slow down! Wait for me!" A servant in a simple blue tunic and cap was panting heavily, pushing his way through the throng to catch up with his young master. "Please, take it easy. The chapel isn’t going anywhere; it won’t grow legs and run off! Are you afraid it might vanish? There’s still some time before the Easter Mass begins; it won’t delay your business!""Stop dawdling and hurry up! It’s disrespectful to keep the elders waiting, don’t you think?" Fulton, dressed in a fine blue robe, looked visibly anxious, his usually calm and gentle face filled with concern. "This is all your fault—taking your time and not waking me earlier! Now I’m late, and if I leave a bad impression on the Croyso elders and Lady Langley, I’ll have your hide when we return!"The servant chuckled, completely unafraid, and replied cheekily, "Oh, Young Master, don’t blame me! You’re the one who cha
In the elegantly comfortable carriage, Miranda and Selena removed their veils and locked eyes, sparks nearly flying between them. After a long silence, Miranda arched an eyebrow, a cold glint flashing in her eyes as she sneered, "So this is it. You, suddenly so kind, only wanted to lure me out so those despicable people could ruin me. Selena, your schemes are truly impressive!""If you'd just gone along with me, none of this would have happened. You brought this on yourself," Selena replied coldly, without pretense."Selena, how bold of you. Have you even considered that if anything happened to me today, you were with me the whole time? Do you think you could distance yourself from it? You know how much Father dotes on me. All it would take is a shred of suspicion, and your little act as Miss Selena would be over! I thought you at least had some sense, but it turns out you’re as foolish as can be." Miranda feigned ignorance of Selena's schemes, pretending she thought Selena only aimed