"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
Miranda and Selena stepped down from the carriage and, under the guidance of palace maids, made their way toward the Queen Dowager’s side hall.The path was lined with lush greenery and vibrant blooms, yet neither girl spared a glance—they each walked with focused silence, lost in their own thoughts.Upon reaching the side hall, the Queen Dowager greeted them with a display of warm affection. Before they could finish their curtsy, she had already waved over her maids to help them up and seated them at her sides, one on the left, the other on the right.Taking Miranda’s hand in hers with a look of loving concern, she said, “You poor child, having suffered two such unfortunate engagements. But it’s all behind you now—don’t let it trouble you. You’re a girl of great fortune. Riches and glory await you. Someone like Sheffield isn’t worth a second thought.”After offering her condolences, she turned to Selena, taking her hand and asking after her with tender care. Anyone who didn’t know be
Margaret stepped forward to knead the Queen Dowager’s shoulders and legs as she spoke.“In my opinion, Miss Selena lacks both the steadiness and cleverness of Miss Miranda. But she has one advantage—she’s eager to align herself with you. I think Your Majesty should consider cultivating her. She’s not without potential.”The Queen Dowager hummed thoughtfully. “You’re right—having that eagerness is a good start. With a little polishing, she could become useful.”Then her gaze flickered as she thought of Miranda.“I wasn’t wrong about that girl. Miranda really is a fine piece of jade—quiet, clever… I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already seen through what I’m doing. She likely knows I’ve been testing her.”Margaret’s expression shifted. “You think she’s figured it out? Then what should we do?”The Queen Dowager said coldly. “What can she do about it? If I force her into the role of the King’s mistress, then unless she has a death wish, she’ll climb just the same.”“She’s clever, yes—but
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
Margaret stepped forward to knead the Queen Dowager’s shoulders and legs as she spoke.“In my opinion, Miss Selena lacks both the steadiness and cleverness of Miss Miranda. But she has one advantage—she’s eager to align herself with you. I think Your Majesty should consider cultivating her. She’s not without potential.”The Queen Dowager hummed thoughtfully. “You’re right—having that eagerness is a good start. With a little polishing, she could become useful.”Then her gaze flickered as she thought of Miranda.“I wasn’t wrong about that girl. Miranda really is a fine piece of jade—quiet, clever… I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already seen through what I’m doing. She likely knows I’ve been testing her.”Margaret’s expression shifted. “You think she’s figured it out? Then what should we do?”The Queen Dowager said coldly. “What can she do about it? If I force her into the role of the King’s mistress, then unless she has a death wish, she’ll climb just the same.”“She’s clever, yes—but
Miranda and Selena stepped down from the carriage and, under the guidance of palace maids, made their way toward the Queen Dowager’s side hall.The path was lined with lush greenery and vibrant blooms, yet neither girl spared a glance—they each walked with focused silence, lost in their own thoughts.Upon reaching the side hall, the Queen Dowager greeted them with a display of warm affection. Before they could finish their curtsy, she had already waved over her maids to help them up and seated them at her sides, one on the left, the other on the right.Taking Miranda’s hand in hers with a look of loving concern, she said, “You poor child, having suffered two such unfortunate engagements. But it’s all behind you now—don’t let it trouble you. You’re a girl of great fortune. Riches and glory await you. Someone like Sheffield isn’t worth a second thought.”After offering her condolences, she turned to Selena, taking her hand and asking after her with tender care. Anyone who didn’t know be
"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