Lol, Miranda and Reginald's first meeting! Sparks are flying!
Entering the room, Selena curtsied and said, "Father."Count Croyso was about to speak when he looked up and saw Miranda. Her delicate, refined appearance, reminiscent of Anna, startled him into standing up. "Anna!" he exclaimed, then quickly corrected himself, "Miranda! You… how could you—" He was so shocked he could barely speak."My previous appearance was styled by Mrs. Wilson, but Molly did my makeup and attire for this occasion," Miranda said softly, noting the impact on the Count. Sensing an advantage, she added, "Father, do I look good like this?""You look wonderful, wonderful!" Count Croyso nodded repeatedly, his eyes glistening with tears.The Countess was speechless. She had never imagined Miranda could look so elegantly refined, outshining even Selena and the social darlings. The familiar features rekindled her resentment toward Anna, twisting her expression with hatred.As everyone stared at Miranda in amazement, ignoring her, Selena burst into tears, crying out loudly.T
Count Croyso looked at his wife’s ashamed demeanor and sighed. He said gently, “I know your nature well. This matter doesn’t concern you.” He continued, irritated, “Selena used to be so sweet and lovable. How has she become so insufferable now that I’m back? To the extent of using such despicable means against Miranda?”Miranda interjected softly, “Perhaps someone around her incited this behavior.”Did she aim to remove Selena’s trusted aides? The Countess’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly responded, “What would those servants know? It’s the tutors in the estate who dare to bully even Miss Miranda and Selena. Who knows what example they’ve set? I failed in hiring proper teachers.”Count Croyso's anger flared, “Even I was deceived, let alone you. These despicable individuals have corrupted my daughter. They must not be spared. Have each of them receive twenty lashes and be expelled from the estate. As for the maids in Selena’s quarters, they must also be dealt with harshly!” He
Langley Manor, once the estate of a declining noble family in a remote part of the capital, boasts a broad courtyard planted with clusters of green bamboo and a garden full of blooming flowers. The black-tiled, white-walled manor, with its verdant bamboo and floral splendor, exudes a refined elegance. The Langley couple purchased this manor after making their fortune in early business ventures.Amidst the jade-like bamboo, a graceful figure sat in the garden pavilion, savoring her tea with elegance. Sensing something, she slowly set down her teacup and turned around.At the courtyard entrance stood a serene young girl. Mrs. Langley was momentarily stunned by the familiar face, immediately recognizing the visitor. She nodded, gesturing for the maid who brought the girl in to leave.A glimmer of light flickered in the woman’s eyes, and her voice trembled slightly, “You are… Miranda?” She quickly composed herself, concealing her emotions, “Come, sit down!” She instructed the maid beside h
The stolen poem incident ended with the tutor expelled and Selena's servants punished. That night, Selena "accidentally" fell into the water and was rescued in a soaked, near-death state. Tearfully clinging to Count Croyso, she admitted being misled by the tutor. Her pitiful state softened the Count’s heart, resulting in only a harsh scolding and a punishment of copying the family rules twenty times.The accusation against her was thus easily dismissed, showcasing the Countess’s skillful handling.Miranda had expected this outcome; Selena was also her father's beloved daughter. She sighed, knowing revenge would require patience. Under Lady Langley's guidance, she proceeded with plans to hire new servants, which required another outing.On the day she left the estate with Molly, she encountered Selena at the gate, dressed in a bright red, gold-embroidered gown that couldn't hide her pale complexion. A flash of resentment crossed Selena's face, but she forced a smile. "Miranda, where are
Two quarter-hours passed, yet the cash had not been delivered, and Andrew continued his relentless mockery.At that moment, Molly, who had gone out earlier, finally returned and whispered something in Miranda's ear. Miranda turned, her eyes glinting with cunning. "Lord Andrew, the cash has arrived. Would you like to count it to ensure none is missing?""Of course, I must count it," Andrew sneered, raising an eyebrow. "I wouldn't want to be cheated by any devious means and end up paying out of my own pocket.""Since that is the case, please take your time, Lord Andrew." Miranda had anticipated Andrew's desire to humiliate her and knew he would say this. She smirked slightly and gestured for the guards outside to bring in the money.Robust young men in grey uniforms filed in, each pair carrying a basket as tall as a man. There were fifteen baskets in total, and as they were set down with a resounding thud, dust shook loose from the roof above.Andrew's smile froze on his face, and he sto
The spectacle at the jewelry shop continued until dusk. Andrew, initially furious and embarrassed, soon became resigned and indifferent, eventually adopting a “dead pig fears no scalding water” attitude.His face was lost, and he refused to continue counting the money, leaving the task to the shopkeeper and assistants. Despite this, he remained the unshakable protagonist of this unprecedented thousand-coin counting event, earning him the nickname "Andrew Thousand Coins."It was said that after this incident, Andrew would fly into a rage at the mere mention of "one thousand," "coins," or "copper money," resulting in countless unfortunate servants and accountants suffering his wrath.It was also said that the story of "Andrew Thousand Coins" quickly spread throughout the capital. The tale of a clever woman punishing her ex-fiancé became widely popular, turning into various anecdotes, plays, and songs performed all over the city. This only exacerbated Andrew's temper, leading him to smash
Molly asked with a hint of confusion, “Miss, you know there are problems with Nora and the others. Why not just dismiss them? I bet it was they who stole your poetry book at the last royal garden party and gave it to Miss Selena. Such people are nothing but trouble.”Miranda sat gracefully, using a hairpin to pry open a nut, and replied calmly, “It's easy to find a reason to send them away, but if I dismiss my maids one after another in a short period, it will be rumored that the Count's household treats its servants harshly and is difficult to serve. So, either I gradually dismiss them over a year or two, or—”She paused, her expression darkening, and the nut shell in her hand cracked with a sharp sound.Though she was not in a hurry, these maids were getting too audacious!Although Count Croyso had been called back from the frontier to a civil position, seemingly losing the Emperor’s favor, he had served in office for many years and had extensive connections. His thirty-eighth birth
Miranda took a lacquered box from Molly’s hands, opened it, and smiled. “I know Father loves plum blossoms, so I have this embroidered piece, ‘Longevity with Plum Blossoms,’ as a birthday gift for you.” Together with Molly, she unfurled a meticulously mounted scroll.The snow-white silk revealed ink-black branches, strong and vigorous, with crimson blossoms proudly adorning the tips. The embroidery vividly captured the resilience and beauty of plum blossoms, showcasing Miranda’s exceptional skill. The black threads resembled night, the red silk like precious gems, making it an ideal birthday gift.“What a wonderful piece!” The Croyso Count, obsessed with plum blossoms, couldn’t help but praise as soon as he saw it.The Countess, feeling uneasy, deliberately nitpicked, “Miss Miranda calls this ‘Longevity with Plum Blossoms.’ We see the plum blossoms, but where is the ‘longevity’?”No one expected Rose to step in. After gazing at the embroidery for a long while, she exclaimed, “At first
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.Fulton looked up and noticed Lady Fitzroy watching him place his bets with a meaningful expression. Realizing that she had seen through him, his face slowly turned red.Wensley, puzzled, tilted his head and asked, “Mother, what’s so funny?”“Oh, nothing. I just remembered a joke I heard yesterday. I initially thought it was about a silly goose, but it seems I misjudged—turns out it wasn’t so silly after all,” Lady Fitzroy replied with a chuckle, covering her mouth with her sleeve. Quietly, she nudged Lady Langley and gave her a congratulat
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