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
In the Kingdom of Valoria, there was a Privy Council, and all reports submitted to the king had to be reviewed by the council's scholars first. They would prioritize the most urgent matters, jotting down their opinions on small slips of paper and tucking them into the reports before passing them on to the king. While the final decision rested with the monarch, the scholars’ recommendations greatly influenced his judgment, making them powerful figures within the kingdom.Basil Fitzroy had served as the Chief Scholar of the Privy Council for over a decade, earning immense respect and authority.Especially now, with the imminent retirement of Prime Minister Lord Green, the position of Prime Minister was likely to be filled either by Lord Fitzroy or the venerable Lord Landon. By comparison, Fitzroy held the advantage in experience, governance, and the king’s favor. Should he be appointed as First Minister, his status would rise even further. Unfortunately, Fitzroy’s high moral standards an
Seeing June’s audacious attempt to strike her in public, Miranda's anger flared. She swiftly moved to block June’s hand and declared in a frosty tone, “Miss June, don’t do something you’ll regret later!”June arched an eyebrow defiantly, her gaze sharp. “And if I do? What will you do about it?”“This!” Miranda’s voice was as cold as ice. Without giving June a chance to respond, Miranda’s other hand flew out, landing a stinging slap across June’s face.Miranda, who typically avoided conflict and sought to maintain harmony, had reached her limit. June, having already secured everything she desired, was still provoking trouble. Miranda realized that no matter how much she accommodated, peace seemed unattainable. Therefore, she resolved to take a firm stand.The sharp "slap" resonated through the air, and a vivid red handprint began to bloom on miss June's pale cheek. The unexpected blow left June stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Miranda in shock.“You!” June, now vi
Lady Langley shot her a sharp glance and said, “Knowing you’re so quick-witted, can’t you spare me this time? No wonder you’ve been waiting here for me. If someone didn’t know better, they’d think we have a deep bond. But those who do know would understand that you’re probably just waiting for me to take out my frustration after your setback with Miss June! Am I right?”Once inside the manor, Selena saw her circle of friends, having parted ways with Miranda earlier. So, only Miranda, Lady Langley, Lady Fitzroy, and Lady Fitzroy’s daughter, Wensley, were present. The conversation naturally drew no attention from the others.“Oh, truly remarkable,” Lady Fitzroy said with a smile. “You’ve become quite the business tycoon, haven’t you? Your connections with the Croyso family have improved, and you now speak with such confidence, don’t you?” Before June left, she had been specifically advised not to cause trouble at the banquet, as the Queen’s family was keen to win over Lord Fitzroy. June
Lady Fitzroy greeted her guest with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Why, if it isn’t Lady Aylin!” she exclaimed with feigned warmth, stepping forward to welcome her.Following closely behind Lady Aylin was Rose, who, with her serene smile and graceful, poised demeanor, offered a perfect curtsy. Rose’s presence at such events was a rare occurrence, largely due to her mother’s habitual neglect, which often left her overlooked and sidelined from society’s gatherings.“There you are! I’ve been searching high and low for you,” Lady Aylin exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and reprimand. “I didn’t expect to find you here, of all places! Now, stop quietly managing the servants' tasks here—come to the front and join everyone for a proper chat!” Lady Aylin exclaimed, grabbing Lady Fitzroy’s arm with enthusiasm, entirely ignoring Lady Langley and Miranda nearby—a breach of social etiquette. Lady Fitzroy remained composed, her smile unwavering despite the slight. “I was just here,
"Miranda, it's been so long since you last came to our house. Mother probably still remembers you as the little girl from years ago. She never imagined that little girl would grow up to be such a beautiful young lady. And I neither haven’t seen you since the last banquet. Where’s Selena? How’s her face? It was awfully red after she got hit last time!” Rose, who had been silent until now, suddenly stepped forward and affectionately took Miranda’s hand, acting every bit the close sister.But if you listen closely to her words, you’ll notice how she subtly distanced herself from her mother’s remark and casually shifted the topic, indirectly reminding Miranda of the incident when Selena was slapped. She indirectly and seemingly casually brought up Miranda's awkward past conflicts with her sister, leaving Miranda no time to continue the conversation from before. This clever change in conversation effectively steered away from the slightly awkward topic just now.Miranda's eyes narrowed slig
Upon hearing it was a decree from the Dowager Queen, everyone’s minds raced with countless thoughts. However, there was no time for words; they hurriedly changed into formal attire and went out to receive the message.The messenger was a young, cheerful steward, round and amiable, with a smile as warm as a benevolent saint. Once everyone had gathered, he raised his reedy, nasally voice and announced, “By command of Her Majesty the Dowager Queen: the day of my birthday approaches. I hereby summon Lady Croyso and the young ladies of the Croyso household to the palace to celebrate. So decreed!”The room collectively rose to express their gratitude. Miranda subtly slipped a pack of gold coin into his hand and asked, “Might I know your name, good steward?”The steward glanced at the coin’s value, his smile deepening. He silently praised the young lady’s sharpness and tact, thinking she must be Miranda, the eldest daughter of the Croyso family. Indeed, she had both intelligence and grace. “
What does it mean to say, "It would be great if my future daughter-in-law could be half as good as Rose"? Lady Sheffield had already settled on Miranda as her future daughter-in-law, yet she said this in front of Miranda. Wasn’t that a blatant slap to Miranda’s face? For Rose, this was the first time she had become the center of attention at the Croyso estate. Embarrassed, flustered, and anxious, her face turned red as she said, "Lady Sheffield, you flatter me too much. I’m clumsy and can’t do anything well, which is why I always try to learn more. Among us younger women, Miranda is truly the best—her embroidery is exceptional, and she’s incredibly intelligent. Even Earl Croyso dotes on her deeply." As she spoke, Rose cast pleading glances at Miranda, silently asking for help. It wasn’t that she wanted to outshine Miranda—she had no idea why Lady Sheffield would favor her so much. “You’re such a modest child!” Lady Sheffield dismissed her words with a wave, continuing, “But it
Lady Langley had already heard of Lady Sheffield’s close friendship with Sophie and her notoriously difficult personality. She had prepared herself mentally for the encounter, but she hadn’t expected Lady Sheffield to immediately humiliate Miranda.“Lady Sheffield, you are absolutely right. After all, a stepmother’s care can never compare to that of a real mother. Perhaps we should invite you to stay permanently at the Croyso estate to teach these unruly young ladies some proper manners?”Lady Sheffield was stunned by Lady Langley’s retort. It was sharp and indirect, expertly turning the accusation of Miranda’s lack of upbringing into a subtle jab at Sophie for failing to properly teach her stepdaughter. Even more cleverly, the remark insinuated dissatisfaction with Lady Sheffield herself as a second wife.This Lady Langley was clearly not one to be trifled with!No wonder Sophie had been caught in a scandal as soon as Lady Langley arrived, leading to a cold war with the Earl of Croyso
The queen's heart sank—how had this matter reached the ears of the Dowager Queen? "Aunt, it was that Sheffield who was so insufferably arrogant, deliberately causing trouble for us! He dared to compete with Zachary and set her sights on the very girl he favored. I couldn’t stand it, so I—""Foolishness!" the Dowager Queen snapped, her brows furrowed tightly. "That Sheffield earned their title through real military achievements. In today’s political climate, their family holds more weight than those old noble houses like the William, who haven’t seen a battlefield in generations. People like them should be drawn closer, not suppressed. Assign the position of Knight of the Royal Guard to the Sheffield family’s young master at once."The Dowager Queen’s commanding tone left no room for argument. "Over the years, your actions have grown increasingly shortsighted. Anyone in the palace could see farther than you…" Her voice trailed off as she fell into thought.The Dowager Queen, herself a
Finally, the Queen supported the Dowager Queen by the hand as they left Ashford Manor. Reginald called out loudly from behind, “Take care, Your Majesty!” Then he stood up and couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “You’re still laughing!” Lady Liudmila flicked his forehead hard. “You’ve always been reckless, but at least there used to be limits. The incident at The Heaven Lounge went too far. I thought Zachary and that Lila actually had an affair, but who knew it was your scheme all along. You! This was too obvious and caused such a stir that even the Dowager Queen couldn’t resist stepping in to deal with you. After today, you’ve seen how formidable she can be—keep yourself in check from now on!” Reginald shrugged nonchalantly. “The Queen already sees me as a thorn in her side. Could it get any worse? As for the Dowager Queen,” he flashed a bright smile at Lady Liudmila, his gaze sparkling, “didn’t I hear how she’s been pushing you harder an
The Queen and Dowager Queen, shocked by Reginald’s sudden appearance, were momentarily speechless. The Queen quickly recovered and snapped, "Lord Reginald, where have you been? And where are you returning from at this hour?"Any hopes of taking Reginald’s life amid the chaos had vanished. The only option left was to grasp at whatever incriminating evidence they could."Returning? From where?" Reginald’s expression was one of exaggerated surprise. Even in this feigned astonishment, his stunning features were mesmerizing. "What are you implying? I simply went to the restroom and returned to find such a grand commotion. It’s truly bewildering.""Don’t try to deny it!" The Queen pressed on, her tone sharp. "If you were in the manor, why couldn’t any of the guards account for your whereabouts? The Dowager Queen was frantic over your disappearance, and yet you stayed hidden, letting her worry—what exactly is your intention?"From the moment Reginald spoke, Lady
The servant opened the door, only to find the study completely empty. At this point, it was better to risk Reginald being suspected by the king of deliberately concealing his whereabouts than to let him fall into the hands of the Blackwell family! Lady Liudmila's thoughts raced as she stepped forward and bowed, pleading, "Your Majesty, the Dowager Queen, I believe there is no need to cause such a commotion. I fear young Reginald has been mischievous and slipped away unnoticed. When he returns, I will personally discipline him severely for his unruly behavior that has caused you such worry and anger."“What nonsense are you speaking?” The Dowager Queen frowned deeply, her expression full of disapproval as she retorted, “Reginald may be mischievous, but he has always been measured in his actions. How could he do something as reckless as sneaking out? That’s too dangerous, and he would never disregard the entire family. Something must have happened!” Her gaze, heavy with displea
"I know that child Reginald is rather thin-skinned. Ever since he was publicly reprimanded, he’s been shutting himself away. Who knows if it has affected his health? There’s no need to bother notifying him—I’ll go with you to check on him," the Queen Mother said kindly. With that, she paid no further attention to the shadow guards, leaning on her cane as she slowly and leisurely walked out of the reception hall.The Queen thought to herself, The Queen Mother truly knows how to handle things! She quickly stepped forward to support the Queen Mother’s hand, walking out of the hall with an air of arrogance. Lady Liudmila and Hendrik, unable to intervene, could only follow anxiously. As Hendrik led the way, he silently prayed that they could escape disaster and that the Queen wouldn’t find any incriminating evidence.The group, familiar with the layout, soon arrived at the door to Reginald’s study. They called inside, but no respons
Prince Zachary had recently suffered a scandal at The Heaven Lounge, publicly reprimanded by the king and placed under house arrest. The circumstances reeked of manipulation, as Lila should never have entered the prince’s chambers without outside influence. With Lord Reginald also present, it was all too easy to suspect his involvement in orchestrating the incident. The queen and the Blackwell family directed their anger at Lord Reginald, relentlessly accusing and framing him. In the end, Lord Reginald, due to his arrogance and reckless behavior, was publicly reprimanded by the king during a court assembly. If the queen discovered that Reginald had no legitimate excuse for his current absence, the consequences would be dire.Though reluctant to leave Miranda’s side, Lord Reginald knew how to prioritize. With a sigh, he took one last longing glance around the room before preparing to leave. Suddenly, he paused, retrieved a pouch, and took out a small object. Plac