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.
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
In the first round of the horse race, His Highness Zachary, Duke Reginald, Blackwell, and Linton participated, seemingly to probe where everyone’s support lay. Thus, the Croyso family all placed their bets on Montfort. However, starting from the second round, those reservations disappeared, and people began betting freely, with wins and losses creating a gradually livelier atmosphere.Lady Fitzroy glanced at Fulton and suddenly let out a soft laugh, the sound drawing the attention of a few nearby.Fulton looked up, his eyes meeting Lady Fitzroy's as she observed him placing his bets with a knowing and almost mischievous expression. He quickly realized that she had seen through his actions. Embarrassment crept up his neck, and his face slowly turned red, the flush deepening as he avoided her gaze.Wensley, puzzled by his mother’s sudden amusement, tilted his head and asked, “Mother, what’s so funny?”“Oh, nothing. I just remembered a joke I heard yesterday,” Lady Fitzroy said lightly, h
Selena pushed the door open and saw Quintina sitting by the window, next to a pot of peonies. She was dressed in a gold-embroidered pleated gown and adorned with a full set of ruby-encrusted jewelry. Her youthful, beautiful face carried an air of arrogance as she turned to scrutinize Selena from head to toe, her slightly upturned eyeliner adding a domineering and haughty edge to her expression.Selena curtsied gracefully and greeted, "Good day, Miss Quintina."Quintina continued to examine her closely. Selena was draped in a soft, pale green chiffon shawl over a nearly white silk dress, which accentuated her slender waist. Though still young, her presence exuded a delicate charm and allure.Such a perfectly shaped figure, such smooth, tender skin—she really is a little vixen!The sight of this radiant beauty only fueled Quintina's hatred, though she forced herself to suppress it for the moment. She waved Selena closer and said, "Come here. Let me have a look at you."As Selena approac
She suddenly stopped dodging, catching Quintina off guard. Hearing her words, all centered around herself and Reginald, Quintina’s suspicion flared. “You’d better give me a clear explanation! If I find out you’re stalling or scheming, I’ll have you dragged away and thrown into a brothel. Don’t think I won’t dare! Don’t even dream of fooling me!”Given Quintina’s status, it was entirely possible she could carry out such a threat.Selena had a sudden flash of inspiration. Knowing Quintina’s possessiveness over Reginald and her ruthless nature, she decided to redirect Quintina’s jealousy and anger toward Miranda. Quickly, she said, “Miss Quintina, you’ve misunderstood me. This cloak wasn’t entirely my work—Miranda embroidered part of it. No one would openly stitch their name onto a garment, leaving such an obvious handle for others. I believe Miranda must have added my name while working on her section, intending to frame me.”“Miranda?” Quintina’s suspicion deepened. “She’s skilled at e
"Selena, listen to me. I'm letting you off lightly today, but if I catch you getting involved with Reginald again, don't expect me to show any mercy!" Quintina shot Selena a furious glare, then gave her a hard kick before lifting her skirt and storming out. The room fell silent, leaving Selena alone. After a long moment, she let out a cold laugh. "Miranda, that little wretch—what does she have over me besides being the eldest daughter?" As she turned to leave, her expression suddenly changed. She quickly turned her back. Outside, a servant’s voice called, “Prince Zachary.” Why would Prince Zachary be here at this hour? Selena’s heart skipped a beat. In her current disheveled state, it would be disastrous if he saw her. The thought made her grit her teeth in hatred for Quintina. If it weren’t for Quintina, she wouldn’t have been humiliated like this. Zachary passed by the doorway and glanced into the room. The mess inside gave him a clear idea of what had happened. He smiled f
Inside the private lounge reserved by the Croyso family, the lively atmosphere brimmed with laughter as the group enjoyed betting on the horse races. Suddenly, a maid entered and whispered that His Highness Zachary and Lord Reginald had come to pay a visit.“Earl Croyso, what a coincidence,” Zachary said with a slight bow after the pleasantries. “Miss Selena was injured by accident while meeting with my cousin. I’ve already sent them to the infirmary for treatment and will ensure they’re safely escorted home afterward.” Skipping over the details, he continued, “It’s really Quintina’s mischief that caused all this, so I’ve come to offer my apologies on her behalf.”The Earl of Croyso assumed it was a minor accident during some outing and, though concerned, did not dwell on it. “Your Highness is too courteous,” he replied. Casting a glance at Reginald standing behind Zachary, he couldn’t help but wonder: why was the Duke here as well?Reginald seemed to catch his drift and smiled lazily
At this moment, the voice of a maid announcing from outside the door broke the silence: "My lord, my lady, Lady Landon and her daughters have arrived to pay their respects."Inside the private chamber, the queen's attendant, the unexpected visit of Prince Zachary and Lord Reginald, and the peculiar atmosphere in the room had already aroused suspicion in both Lord Croyso and Lady Langley. Now, hearing that Lady Landon had come with her daughters, they exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock and confusion mirrored in the other's eyes. Lord Croyso said, "Please, invite Lady Landon and her daughters in."A woman of about forty entered, dressed in a muted blue gown. Her round, fair face was adorned with a warm smile, exuding an air of friendliness. However, the occasional glint in her eyes and her probing gaze hinted that she was not someone to be underestimated.Behind her followed two young ladies, one in red and the other in green, close in age and both remarkably beautiful."Lord Cro
"I was still very young back then. Madam Anna taught me some medicine with great care, but most of the time, I was buried in medical books and learning to identify herbs. I didn’t spend much time by her side. As for what happened that year… I only remember that it started with something happening to you, my lady. Someone died, and Madam Anna began a thorough investigation, but she couldn’t find any clues. During that time, both Madam Anna and Lady Langley looked very troubled. Later, for reasons I still don’t understand, Madam Anna suddenly passed away."Everything at the estate fell into chaos. Lady Langley interrogated all the servants from Anna’s side. Many died during that time. Some said Lady Langley was silencing witnesses. After that, Lord Croyso returned and drove Lady Langley out of the estate, swearing revenge on her…”Molly recounted the events in fragments—she had been too young and uninvolved to fully understand what had happened.But from Molly’s words, Miranda couldn’t
After the encounter at the royal palace, Hans was confident he had made a good impression on Earl Croyso. He had originally planned to take things slowly, building rapport step by step, not wanting to rush the process. But after overhearing that conversation between the two commoners, he couldn’t help feeling restless. If even those two penniless men could see the value of such a marriage prospect, how could the sharp-eyed nobles of the capital not see it too?There were plenty of promising young aristocrats in the city. If one of them made a move first, what did he have to compete with them? In birth, in title, in power—he had none of it.The more he thought about it, the more anxious and excited he became. Finally unable to suppress himself, he laid his plan today—and sure enough, was successfully invited to House Croyso. What he didn’t expect, however, was to run into Miss Selena so soon after arriving at the estate. It was as if fate itself was lending him a hand.He believed that
News that Hans had returned to the manor alongside Earl Croyso soon reached Miranda. She had anticipated that someone as opportunistic as Hans would never miss a chance to cozy up to the Croyso family—especially after she had deliberately sent those words to his ears. Hans Dickson would surely play some trick to win her father’s favor. And sure enough!Miranda gave a faint, cold smile and whispered something to Molly, who nodded and quietly left with her orders.Meanwhile, in the Tongze Courtyard, Hans had just finished applying medicine to his injuries and came to express his thanks to the Earl. The two quickly engaged in conversation. The Earl had already taken a liking to Hans, and Hans, in turn, spoke in a manner that was both agreeable and subtly flattering. As a result, their discussion grew increasingly congenial, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed.Just then, a clear and melodious voice called from outside, “Father!”A flash of red swept into the room—a girl of thirteen o
"You had your chance and refused it. Now you'll learn the hard way!"The thug sneered. "Just a lowly knight, daring to offend the House of William? Because of you, Lord William’s title was reduced. Did you really think you could cross him without consequences? This is a lesson!"Hans laughed coldly."So that’s who you’re with—William, the pompous fraud who tried to bribe me into smearing someone else? Hah! A man that vile and shameless—yes, I offended him, and I’d do it again. If you’ve got the guts, come at me!"With that, the group surged forward, and a fierce brawl broke out.Back at the palace during the confrontation, Earl Croyso had already formed a favorable impression of Hans Dickson—a knight who was upright and proudly unbending. Especially since Hans had stood up to the House of William because of Miranda, Croyso’s goodwill toward him only grew. Seeing him outnumbered now, the earl was about to step in—only to pause, intrigued by the young man’s stance and poise.In a matter
Fulton listened expressionlessly as the edict was read aloud. So this was the glory bought with his parents’ betrayal of Miranda? It turned out he wasn’t just a gilded canary trapped in a cage—he was a puppet, to be moved and used at will.And yet, no matter how much resentment burned within him, the decree had already been issued. The marriage was now inevitable. As the heir of the Sheffield family, he had no power to defy the Queen Dowager’s command.How laughable. How pathetic. How tragic.And so, when the reading ended, Fulton didn’t even bother to accept the scroll. He turned and walked straight back to his chambers.But if anyone was truly distressed, it wasn’t Fulton—it was the Lady of S
“Is she serious? She is marrying you off to Fulton?” The queen was fuming. “Never mind that the Sheffield family has shallow roots and was never worthy of you to begin with—after what they’ve done lately, what daughter from a decent family would agree to marry into that mess? And you're a princess! Even with all the reasons the Queen Dowager gave, it still sounds completely far-fetched to me!”“Please calm down, Mother,” Gina said softly, far more composed than the queen. “Since the Queen Dowager told you directly, it means the matter is already decided. If I’m not mistaken, she probably wants to use this opportunity to win over the Sheffields. By granting them such an honor, she hopes to sweep away the recent scandal and make them feel indebted to her and to the Blackwell. That’s likely the real reason behind this arrangement.”“How did you know? That’s exactly what she said!” the queen cried, her voice rising with emotion. “She claimed it was to pave the way for Zachary’s future, but
"Your Majesty… what did you say?"In the palace hall, the queen stared in disbelief at the Queen Dowager, who was reclining gracefully on her chaise. Suspicion and shock filled her voice."At a time like this, you wish to arrange a marriage for Sheffield?"Right now, Sheffield and William’s reputations had hit rock bottom. Nearly the entire capital was condemning them—saying William was shameless and despicable, not only backing out of a marriage alliance with the Croyso family but trying to tarnish Miss Croyso’s name in the process. And Sheffield? They called him weak, spineless, and willing to sell out his own future bride for favor.At such a time, everyone was doing their best to avoid association with the Sheffield family—so why would the Queen Dowager choose to draw near, let alone offer a royal marriage?Worse, the broken engagement meant Miranda was now free from her previous betrothal. Without in-laws to tie her down, it was all too likely that the Queen Dowager would find a
Hearing Fulton’s flustered words and watching his unsteady figure stumble away, Earl Croyso let out a barely perceptible sigh. From how the boy first arrived, Fulton had seemed like a good child—soft-spoken, perhaps a bit timid, but upright in character.What a pity...Fulton’s presence had clearly stirred up the lingering shadows of the broken engagement. Earl Croyso had originally intended to comfort Miranda, but somehow, as the conversation went on, it ended with Miranda comforting him instead—leaving him amused.By the time Miranda returned to her chambers, night had fully fallen.She had assumed Reginald would have left long ago. So when she stepped into her inner room and saw that dark red figure bouncing around inside, she was startled and blurted out, “You're still here?”Reginald had hung his coat on the nearby rack and was now playing with one of Miranda’s embroidery needles. He had threaded it with string and was using it like a throwing dart, aiming it with precision at a
Miranda entered the drawing room and, as expected, saw Fulton’s figure. Beside him sat the Earl of Croyso.It had only been a few days, but the once gentle and refined Fulton looked like a different person—thinner, with a haggard expression. The moment he saw Miranda walk in, his eyes lit up, and he rushed toward her. Yet, as if suddenly remembering something, the light in his face gradually faded, and his eyes dimmed.“Miranda—”“You should call me Miss Miranda, Mr. Fulton,” Miranda said quietly, her head slightly bowed, her voice calm.Fulton had a thousand things he wanted to say, but they were all shattered by those formal words: “Mr. Fulton” and “Miss Miranda.”It hadn’t always been this way. Before, she would call him “Fulton” in that soft, sweet voice. Every time he saw her petite figure, he would feel an urge to protect her. When he learned that his father intended for him to be engaged to Miranda, and that she would become his wife, he had truly been overjoyed. For someone of