With a splash, the garden pond erupted, scattering water droplets into the air and startling the birds skimming its surface."Oh, the paragon of gentleness and virtue, the esteemed lady of the Dickson family, the dignified countess by imperial decree."Selena stood on the bank, looking down with a smug, seductive smile at Miranda struggling in the water."Look at you now, how pitifully bedraggled you are—truly heartbreaking!""Why?" Miranda gasped as she surfaced, only for the murky pond water to rush into her mouth.She had come despite her recent grief of losing her child, to comfort her sister, who had divorced.Fearing that even the slightest glamour might offend, Miranda had chosen her attire with care—plain, understated, without a hint of gold.Such thoughtfulness, such affection, she never imagined it would end with Selena pushing her into the water."Why?" Selena peered down at the disheveled Miranda, whose hair clung to her pale, desperate face.A giggle broke from her lips, "
The icy lake water, the murky scent, the blood flowing down her face, the heart-wrenching pain...In a daze, Miranda didn't know where she was. She seemed to hear someone speaking and finally, in a daze, opened her eyes."My poor Miss Miranda," Mrs. Wilson, who had been nibbling on roasted chestnuts, saw her awake and quickly changed her expression.She pushed the plate aside, came forward to hold the weak Miranda in her arms, and began to wail."The marquis' family has called off the engagement. A girl who has been rejected by her fiancé has no future. Miss Miranda, you are not as beautiful or charming as Miss Selena. How will you live in the future?" She kept crying, not caring about how hurtful her words were.The marquis' family called off the engagement?Miranda was confused. Wasn't she pushed into the lake by Selena, dying? The icy, muddy feeling still surrounded her, along with the bone-deep hatred...She looked around in a daze. What she saw was a familiar yet strange bed cano
Miranda observed Greta’s plea for help with increased confidence and began crying out loudly, “Madam, please save me, someone is trying to beat me to death!”Countess Sophie Croyso raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Is that so?" She glanced around, avoiding Miranda, her face filled with anger."Regardless of the Croyso estate’s reputation, Greta has served Miss Miranda faithfully since childhood. Even if she made a mistake, she should be corrected, not beaten to death. Isn't this damaging Miss Miranda's dignity?"Mrs. Wilson stepped forward and said, "Countess, it was Miss Miranda who gave the order."Miranda had only ordered Greta to slap herself twenty times, but with Greta's crying, Sophie’s anger, and Mrs. Wilson’s report, the story twisted.It now seemed as though Miranda wanted Greta dead, tarnishing the Croyso estate’s reputation and making Miranda appear cruel and ungrateful.All eyes turned to Miranda.Beneath pale blue curtains, Miranda leaned weakly against a lavender pillow,
“Miss, Miss...”In a daze, she seemed to hear someone calling her urgently. Struggling to open her eyes, Miranda found it was already midnight.The surroundings were silent, and the moonlight poured in through the window like liquid silver, mingling with the flickering candlelight.The room was empty, except for the faint scent of unfamiliar herbs in the air, indicating someone had been there but had long since departed.She felt something unusual on her wrist. Looking down, she saw a small note pressed against it.After reading its contents, Miranda burned the note in the lamp.Her pale, sickly face remained expressionless as the flickering candlelight cast shadows across her features, making her look like a ghost, shadowy and somber.***“Miss Miranda, when the Earl comes, you must cry and beg to save this marriage. If you’re rejected, no good family will want you. I’m only saying this for your sake,” Mrs. Wilson lectured while styling her hair and applying makeup.Miranda’s reflecti
"I understands that Father has my best interests at heart. If the Marquis family breaks the engagement because they are dissatisfied with me, then even if I were to marry into their family, they would not treat me kindly. If it is due to some misunderstanding, then such a family, which cannot discern right from wrong, is not worth relying on," Miranda explained calmly and logically, her words perfectly hitting the mark in Count Croyso's heart.She then added sorrowfully, "I'm merely saddened to have brought shame upon Father!"Looking at his innocent daughter, Count Croyso's heart was filled with affection.He gently said, "It is not your fault, my dear. It is the Marquis family that has gone too far! Humph, that heir Andrew is not a good match either—arrogant and narrow-minded due to being spoiled. He does not deserve my daughter! Rest assured, I will find you a better match in the future!"Even if the Marquis family has now connected with the Empress Dowager, he will still seek just
Miranda smiled firmly and said, “Madam, don’t be childish. Let me apply the medicine. After all, it was my fault you got hurt.” Her insistence made it clear that the Countess couldn’t escape.The Countess, uneasy, discreetly pinched Selena, urging her to intervene. Selena quickly said, “Sister, please sit down. Madam should go back and apply the medicine in her room; it’s bad luck to see blood.”Selena’s concern won Count Croyso’s approval, but Miranda countered, “Madam saved me, and I owe her. I will serve her as my own mother, and no mother would refuse her child’s care.” Her words left no room for rejection. Count Croyso agreed, urging the Countess to accept treatment.The Countess, panicking, cursed Selena’s failure but smiled reluctantly, agreeing to let Miranda help. At that moment, a maid brought the medicine, and the Countess, unable to stall further, prepared to remove her bandages.Suddenly, Mrs. Wilson intervened, suggesting that applying medicine in front of everyone was in
In the study, a meticulously crafted iron incense burner, shaped like a crouching lion, sat majestically on the table. Its head was held high, as if surveying the entire room, with wisps of fragrant smoke curling from its open mouth, creating an atmosphere of mystery and tranquility."Stand before me!" commanded Lord Croyso, seated in a chair of purple-black rosewood, his expression dark and his voice low but commanding.Though outwardly calm, those who knew his temperament understood he was seething with rage. "My Lady, do you know your crime?"The Countess immediately stood, her face a mask of confusion, flawlessly feigning innocence. "I do not know what wrong I have committed, my lord.""A fine tale of cutting flesh to heal, a paragon of benevolence and compassion!" Lord Croyso sneered, his anger rising uncontrollably."Do you think me so easily deceived? Let me tell you, the
In the dead of night, under a moonlit sky as pale as frost, Miranda lay awake, eyes fixed on the dark expanse. Her mind was preoccupied with a single thought: how to eliminate Mrs. Wilson.This cunning and scheming woman posed a constant threat. Given her status as Miranda's nanny, her position was not that of an ordinary servant.A single misstep could lead to accusations of ingratitude and cruelty, damaging Miranda's reputation irreparably.After pondering for a long time, Miranda realized that all her schemes required accomplices. The problem was that Mrs. Wilson had already seized control of the people around Miranda, and other courtyards were beyond Miranda's reach. She had no one to rely on.Her eyes inadvertently fell on her wrist, bringing back memories of the sudden appearance of a note that fateful night."The medicine has been tampered with. Do not take it. Delay as mu
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