If she truly is Miranda, then all of this—every bit of it—was deliberately orchestrated by that wretched girl. She set the trap with care, intentionally provoking her, purposefully choosing those dishes, and ensuring that she would see her back, carefully concealing the mark... And it wasn’t enough. Just now, she even feigned fear, pretended to be terrified of being exposed, making her believe she held all the cards, goading her into losing all sense of reason.
Otherwise, with her usual cunning, if she had been calm, as soon as she noticed something off about that girl’s expression, she would have stopped. She wouldn’t have allowed things to spiral into such utter chaos!
But now? Now... Is it all over?
“Have you not done enough? To push her this far, to humiliate her to this extent—has it still not satisfied you? What more do you want? Do you wish for her to die here?” Earl Croyso roared in fury.
Miranda sai
Since the Countess had been stripped of her managerial duties within the estate, life had to go on as usual. Selena, having learned from her failed attempts to intercede, had wisely chosen to remain silent about her mother recently—likely with some prompting from the Countess herself.One day, Selena brought some pastries to her father's study."Miranda, you are truly a thoughtful daughter, cheering me up with your presence! Well, enough of pleasantries. I have official matters to attend to, so come and help me!"Seeing the harmony between father and daughter before her, Selena felt a pang of discomfort. Especially since Miranda was allowed to stay in the study to assist her father with his work, while she herself was not afforded such privilege.Placing the pastries on the desk, she approached and said, "Father, are there troubles weighing on your mind? Even if I cannot relieve your burdens, perhaps talking about them might ease your mind!"The Earl sighed again, his expression troubl
Seeing that her father also agreed with Miranda, Selena had no choice but to cease her objections. Yet, she wanted to pose a challenge to Miranda: “Miranda makes a valid point. However, even if it’s certain that Ivan should be saved, how exactly should we go about it? He is undeniably guilty of accepting bribes, with irrefutable evidence. This cannot be disputed. If Father were to rashly declare him innocent, it would be difficult to justify.”The mention of this was like a bucket of cold water poured over Earl Croyso.Indeed, Ivan needed saving, but how could it be done? The bribery was a deadlock, and although Miranda’s earlier arguments were sound, such discussions could only serve to persuade in private. In the court, such arguments could not justify leniency or release for Ivan. What was needed now was a legitimate reason, a reason that would justly allow his release.Selena mean to set her up with a dilemma.Miranda pondered and then a
The incense burner emitted wisps of delicate smoke, drifting and diffusing, filling the air with a fragrance that was both calming and contemplative."Father." Miranda suddenly looked up, leaning close to his ear to whisper a few questions.Earl Croyso nodded, his gaze at his young daughter growing more surprised."Is this alright, Father? Look, does this work?" Miranda continued to whisper, chattering rapidly.Selena strained to hear, trying to discern what idea Miranda had come up with so she could find something to criticize. However, Miranda spoke so softly that only her faint laughter could be heard. Just as Selena was about to despair, she heard Earl Croyso let out a chuckle and, with a hearty laugh, tap her forehead, exclaiming, "You mischievous little sprite!"...That night, a fire broke out in The Court of Justice’s document storage room, destroying numerous official documents.As for Ivan's case involving the delay of military supplies, with both testimony and evidence at h
"Your Majesty, this is precisely what I need to report," Earl Croyso, uncertain of the Emperor’s mood, felt a pang of anxiety. He gathered his composure and spoke as calmly as possible, "The day after receiving the decree, there was a fire in the document storage room of The Court of Justice. Despite our desperate efforts to salvage the documents, some were destroyed. Among them were the relevant documents and evidence for Ivan’s case. I ordered the officials to reconstruct the damaged documents, but I only saw the decree specifying the delay of military supplies. I did not realize there were additional charges of bribery and corruption until now. So—""Nonsense!" Declan shouted furiously, "How could such a coincidence occur? Clearly, you deliberately set the fire to destroy the evidence and protect Ivan!""Declan, be silent! Yes, as The Lord High Chancellor, you have oversight authority, but that does not give you the right to make baseless accusations!" Earl Croyso,
In the midst of deliberations, such disputes and blame-shifting occurred daily. The discussions grew increasingly off-topic until they finally veered into this year's appointments of officials. At last, the King spoke. He cleared his throat, and the room fell silent as he began, slowly and deliberately, "I am well aware that you all serve the kingdom faithfully. The fire that broke out in the manor storing the documents was an unfortunate accident, and there is no need to continue arguing. Charles, allocate funds to repair the manor and ensure that all necessary precautions are taken. If funds are insufficient, draw from my personal treasury."Earl Croyso’s thoughts flashed momentarily—could that means Miranda have correctly guessed the King's intentions?"Sire, while the ledger has been destroyed, it is a fact that there was one that proved Ivan's bribery. Several officials have witnessed it. Therefore, I believe he must be dealt with according to the law, and leniency must not be all
Upon leaving the royal palace, Earl Croyso first visited the prison, ordering Ivan's immediate release. Afterward, he requested leave to return home. Unable to contain his joy, he practically flew through the garden, where he found Miranda nestled against Lady Langley, playfully seeking her affection. Without a second thought, he rushed over and, disregarding the fact that Miranda was already thirteen, lifted her by the waist and spun her around. Miranda let out a startled scream, causing him to finally stop. He laughed heartily and exclaimed, "It worked! It worked!"Instinctively shielding her head, Miranda shouted, "No messing with my hair! And don’t tap my forehead!""Little Miranda, your idea worked! You’ve done your father a great favor this time!" Earl Croyso could barely contain his delight, his face alight with joy. With Ivan’s talents and character, he was sure to become a pillar of the kingdom. Miranda had ensured the retention of a valuable asset for the nation! "Tell me, h
Lord Croyso shuddered in fear, instantly dropping to one knee as he exclaimed, "I was unaware of Your Majesty's arrival and failed to greet you properly. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"This was the first time Ivan had laid eyes on the King, and for a moment, he was frozen in awe before he too knelt down."No matter! Your servant has committed no fault. It was my command that he should not disturb you," the King replied, his voice laced with evident good humor as he waved for Croyso to rise. He then took his seat at the head of the room. The King turned his gaze toward Ivan, observing him in silence for a moment before speaking. "You are Ivan, correct? I understand that you have a close relationship with the Governor of Thornborough, otherwise, he wouldn't have involved you in such underhanded dealings as embezzling military supplies." His tone was low, revealing nothing of the emotions behind it.The accusation was undeniable, leaving Ivan with no choice but to respond softly, "Ye
However, everyone’s attention was drawn to the teacup that slipped from the king’s hand; no one noticed the subtle change in his expression.Though the king was momentarily lost in thought, causing the teacup to shatter, his deep-seated composure and the iron will forged through years of discipline allowed him to swiftly regain his calm. Despite the torrent of emotions raging within, nearly overwhelming him in that brief moment of shock, he forcibly quelled the upheaval. His face remained serene, as if the lapse in composure was nothing more than a trivial incident. He raised his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips, and feigned light-heartedness as he spoke, “I accidentally touched the rim of the cup and got burned, breaking your fine teacup. Lord Croyso, I hope you won’t mind?”Earl Croyso, hearing this, showed no sign of suspicion. “Your Majesty jests!”“Well, since you’re so generous, I won’t trouble myself with replacing it!” the king repli
Just then, Hendrik entered with a timely delivery of medicinal broth.Once again, Reginald made a show of his injured arms—dropping the spoon several times with exaggerated difficulty—until Miranda, without a word, took the bowl and spoon from him and began feeding him, one careful spoonful at a time. Bathed in this gentle tenderness, Reginald found himself thinking that the injury had been well worth it. A pity, though—once the medicine was gone, he could no longer find an excuse to keep her by his side, let alone steal another tender moment. With no alternative, he gave up reluctantly.Once his wound was dressed, they finally had a moment to speak of the night’s events.“Lord Reginald, what was that place? And why were you there?” Miranda had far too many questions.Reginald raised a brow. “Take a guess.”Miranda frowned, then her eyes lit up. “Was that… the residence for foreign envoys?”Reginald looked momentarily startled. “How did you know?”“I noticed that those men in black beh
Seeing the man's bare back, Miranda knew she ought to feel shy.But in this moment, as her eyes fell on Reginald’s scarred and bloodied back, there was no room in her heart for bashfulness—only a deep, twisting pain. The wounds were raw and cruel, slashing across his skin one after another. These injuries should have been hers to bear, but he had taken them all in her place.In the chaos of battle, no one knew better than Miranda how often Reginald had used his body to shield her from deadly blows…Though it was clear he had feelings for her, and had saved her more than once, he never sought to use his kindness to win affection. He never confessed, never asked for thanks. He simply cared for her quietly, asking nothing in return. Something within Miranda’s hardened heart stirred—softened. And with that softness came a dull ache, as if sorrow and tenderness flooded in all at once.If only he had been less sincere, more calculating—at least then, she wouldn’t feel so helpless before his
Just as they were about to shake off the guards behind them, a new group suddenly appeared ahead. Leading them was a richly dressed middle-aged man who glared at Reginald and his companions, shouting, “Think you can leave after causing such chaos? It’s not that easy!” As he raised his hand to give the order to attack, his gaze suddenly fell upon Miranda standing behind Reginald. His eyes widened in shock, his expression twisting in disbelief as he pointed at her, exclaiming, “You—!”Taking advantage of his stunned state, Harland leapt forward like lightning and slashed through the legs of the man’s horse in one clean stroke. The middle-aged man tumbled to the ground. Harland pressed his blade to the man’s throat and dragged him back to their formation, saying coldly, “No one move, or I’ll kill him where he stands!”Seeing their leader taken hostage, the rest of the men hesitated, unwilling to risk his life.“Clear a path. Once we’ve left safely, we’ll release him,” Harland declared, h
Seeing the man's attire, the burly warrior beside him immediately realized that this must be one of their brothers who had gone to the palace to assassinate someone—now back and enraged, looking for a fight. But upon hearing the words "His Highness is dead," his heart was struck with unspeakable shock, his mind going blank for a moment.Stepping forward, he shielded Miranda and raised his sword to block the masked man’s saber.“Calm down! The commander said this woman might still be useful. Don’t go against his word!”But before his words had even finished, the situation changed in a flash.The masked man abruptly twisted his blade, slashing toward the burly warrior’s neck with lightning speed. The angle was vicious and sudden—nearly impossible to guard against.The burly man had assumed this was merely a furious comrade; it never occurred to him that he would suddenly turn his blade on him. Let alone defend himself—he was still in stunned disbelief even as the blade sliced across his
The man in black twisted Miranda's arm with one hand and held a dagger across her with the other. He jerked his chin toward Molly, signaling her to open the door. His grip on the dagger only tightened.Molly glanced worriedly at her miss before stepping forward to open the door.Standing outside was the regal and elegant Queen Dowager, flanked by Margaret and others—Selena stood nearby.The moment the door opened and the Queen Dowager saw Miranda being held hostage, her expression changed drastically. She shouted, “Who are you? How dare you seize a noble lady? Release her at once!”“Oh, how dearly the Queen Dowager treasures this Miss Croyso,” the man in black sneered. “Good. If Your Grace doesn’t want anything to happen to her, then cooperate and help us get out of the palace. With your seal, I don’t suppose it’ll be difficult? Once we’re somewhere safe, we’ll let her go. How about that?”“Your Grace, you mustn’t!” Margaret cried urgently. “These assassins are after His Majesty’s life
Hearing those words, Miranda finally let out a breath of relief.The fact that the King was willing to assign her tasks meant he had accepted her explanation.Of course, the King would not so easily trust her loyalty; she would still need to prove herself through her future actions. But at least, for someone like her—cornered by the Queen Mother with no way out—there was now a glimmer of hope ahead.As long as the King truly intended to oppose the Queen Mother, and as long as she could assist him in bringing her down, Miranda would be able to regain her freedom and no longer live under the Queen Mother's control."I understand. I will strictly follow Your Majesty's instructions," Miranda replied. "I used an excuse to leave earlier, and I cannot be away for too long. If there are no further orders, I shall take my leave."The King watched Miranda’s retreating figure in silence.Because of that familiar face, he couldn’t help but pay her a little more attention, though he did not show i
"Miranda?"The King, who had just risen to his feet, slowly sat back down, frowning slightly. After a moment, he said, "Let her come forward."Guided by Giles, Miranda approached gracefully and knelt in salute. "Greetings, Your Majesty."The King studied her closely, trying to guess her intentions. "You asked to see me. What is it you wish to say?""I..." Miranda hesitated, carefully choosing her words."Your Majesty's teachings remain engraved in my heart. Yet, in this world, eight or nine out of ten things do not go as one wishes," Miranda answered calmly, her head bowed. Slowly, she lifted her gaze and caught sight of a sheet of paper on the table. Daringly, she picked it up with a gentle motion. The King silently watched her actions."For a piece of paper," she said softly, "its greatest wish would be to remain pure and untouched — neither stained by ink nor creased by water. Yet once a hand reaches out and soaks it in ink or water, the paper has no strength to resist."She did no
That day, the King came to pay his respects at the Queen Dowager’s palace. The Queen Dowager ordered tea to be served.A young lady stepped forward, dressed in a gown of pale blue silk—the soft, mist-like color seemed steeped in delicate light, graceful and ethereal. Her hair ornaments matched in hue, adorned with teardrop-shaped tassels that swayed gently with her movements, catching the light like liquid glass. Her skin was fair as porcelain, her features fresh and luminous, like a lotus emerging from clear waters.Her simple attire, serene beauty, and quiet elegance gave the impression of a cool spring flowing through a sweltering day—soothing and refreshing.When the King saw that the one serving tea was Miranda, he paused. His gaze lingered briefly on her attire, on her calm expression, on the faint scent of perfume that wafted near. His eyes flickered with a shadowed gleam as he said with a faint smile, “I heard Miss Miranda fell ill shortly after entering the palace, and has be
Miranda was filled with doubts.Zachary had taken a liking to her and, without even asking her opinion, went straight to the Queen to request a royal marriage decree. The Queen Dowager fancied her and instantly ordered her into the palace as a companion. They were all powerful figures—so why was it that when Reginald liked her, he remained so silent? So composed? Why hadn’t she sensed even the slightest hint of his feelings?Even after hearing about her engagement to Sheffield, he simply vanished from her world. Aside from that one moment—when he stumbled into her chambers feverish and disoriented—he never once made a move. He didn’t even try to interfere with the betrothal between the Croyso family and Sheffield.Weren’t people like them always forceful and self-indulgent in love and power alike? And Reginald, with his flamboyant and unrestrained nature—why had he acted so differently?Her head throbbed. With a shake, she tried to banish the thoughts. There was a clear disparity in s