Zachary, the Queen's eldest son, is a figure of such esteemed status that, coupled with his handsome appearance and refined demeanor, he is the object of desire for countless noble young women. Today, seeing his admiration for Miranda and his seemingly familiar demeanor, it's no wonder that many people are seething with envy, their expressions subtly shifting.Among them, a beautiful young lady dressed in a blue floral gown was particularly irate. She shot a disapproving glance at Selena."What on earth made you invite Miranda to evaluate the painting? Princess Gina had already spoken highly of your discerning eye. Why cause unnecessary trouble?" Whitney, who was Sophie’s brother’s daughter, leaned in close to Selena and whispered. "I went through so much trouble to find out that Princess Gina would be attending the Fitzroy family’s banquet today and brought you here to give you a chance to shine. Now you've ruined it all! All the attention has shifted to your sister. What are we goin
As everyone turned towards the sound, an astonishing scene unfolded before their eyes, like a dream brought to life.By the intricately carved moon gate, Duke Reginald stood with his arms crossed, casually leaning against the doorframe, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched the crowd. He held a glass of red wine in one hand. Dressed entirely in black, with subtle dark red embroidery along the hem and cuffs, he exuded an aura of mystery and authority. Almost as if orchestrating his entrance, a sudden gust of wind swept through, carrying with it a flurry of blossoms from the trees outside. The petals whirled around him as his clothes billowed dramatically in the wind, creating a scene that was both captivating and haunting.Amidst the swirling petals, a smile suddenly graced his breathtakingly handsome face.There was a beauty about him—deeply alluring and dangerously seductive—that, combined with his piercing eyes, drew one in irresistibly, compelling them to surrender, even
Everyone present knew that Duke Reginald possessed exceptional martial skills. With his prowess, it seemed impossible for him to have lost his balance and spilled the wine so easily. It was clear that he had deliberately damaged the painting to provoke His Highness Zachary, given Zachary's fondness for it! Zachary's anger flared up, but he kept his composure, glaring coldly at Duke Reginald as he said slowly, “This painting is a Fitzroy family treasure and a cherished work of Miss Miranda. To destroy it so casually, don’t you think it’s rather excessive, Duke Reginald?”“Is that so?” Duke Reginald shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze shifting slightly. “Miss Wensley, I’ll send a Joshua Van painting to your estate another day as an apology.”The crowd gasped. Joshua Van’s works were among the highest-valued paintings on the market. Trading a Samuel Hawthorne painting for a Joshua Van piece was an incredibly advantageous deal!Miss Wensley was stunned and could only nod in a daze.Duke Regin
Zachary clenched his fists tightly, his chest swelling with anger. Gina, standing nearby, grew concerned, fearing he might lose control. She gently tugged at his sleeve. This small gesture helped Zachary regain a bit of composure. If he lost his temper over something so trivial, the carefully crafted reputation of being refined and kind-hearted would be ruined. Forcing a smile, he said, “Lord Reginald, you must be joking. It’s just a painting. As long as Miss Miranda doesn’t mind, why should I?”Duke Reginald clapped his hands, feigning relief. “That’s good to hear. I knew it—Miranda, you won’t mind, will you?”Miranda had no choice but to nod obediently.Reginald’s lips curled into a smile as he looked at her, thinking to himself. How sweet and compliant she pretends to be! Just like last time at the palace, acting as docile as that Persian cat Lady Liudmila keeps—soft and fluffy on the outside, but claws bared in secret. Not only did she bite me, but she also had the audacity to sto
Not long after walking, they came upon the entrance to a courtyard. Inside, the garden was filled with stone benches and a stone table, and the sound of water trickling from a pond filled the peaceful and secluded atmosphere.Duke Reginald, satisfied with the quiet setting, chose a spot by the pond and sat at the stone table. Looking at the obedient and quiet Miranda standing beside him, his mood lifted. He pointed to the seat across from him and smiled, “Sit down.”“I dare not,” Miranda only wanted to finish this quickly. “If you have something to say, My Lord, please do so.”Duke Reginald narrowed his eyes slightly. “I said, sit.”Sensing a hint of danger in the air, as though he was on the verge of losing his temper, Miranda didn’t dare disobey anymore. She quietly did as she was told and sat down.Seeing her comply, the duke’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. He leaned forward lazily, resting his arms and head on the stone table. Listening to the sound of the water, inhaling th
As expected, after Miranda had been left waiting under the sun for another half hour before being dismissed, she was immediately confronted by an indignant Quintina and June, who had come to demand an explanation.June, who had been absent for a while, now appeared beside Quintina, her face concealed by a purple veil, presumably to cover the handprint on her cheek. With a cold sneer, she remarked, "Cousin, there's no need to ask further. This Miranda, dumped and still wandering around, is clearly looking to land herself a wealthy husband. The Duke of Reginald has high standards, so he may not fancy her, but if she has the chance to spend time with him, you can bet she's already trying to seduce him.""Such confidence—perhaps speaking from experience?"Was that how June had ensnared Andrew? But her focus now needed to be on handling Quintina. Since the moment Duke Reginald had voiced his intentions, Miranda had been formulating a plan, and now it was ready. Feigning an innocent, childli
Seeing her agreement, Fulton smiled brightly, a flush of color creeping onto his face again.They walked side by side, unaware that everything was being observed from behind. Hidden among the trees of the garden, a pair of eyes, followed their every move. Watching them leave, the owner of those eyes narrowed them slightly in displeasure and murmured, “Harland, go and...”As they made their way toward the front courtyard, a maid suddenly appeared in front of them. Upon seeing Fulton, she let out a small sigh of relief, bowed to them, and addressed him, “Master Sheffield, Mrs. Sheffield twisted her ankle and has been looking everywhere for you. Please, come with me quickly!”Fulton, ever the dutiful son, hurriedly gave Miranda a few brief instructions and followed the maid.Watching them rush off, Miranda felt a vague sense that something was wrong, though she couldn't pinpoint why. As she pondered the thought, a hand suddenly covered her mouth from behind, dragging her into a nearby cou
This man could see right through her thoughts. Couldn’t he be a little less intelligent? Since it was impossible to hide anything from him, she decided to ignore him and turned her head away. Against someone who could see through you completely, any trick was futile; she no longer wished to play the fool.Reginald was highly displeased with her attitude. He forcibly turned her face towards him and said, “Speak up! Who is he to you? Miranda, good girl. Tell me, okay?” He deliberately softened his voice.Miranda closed her eyes and covered her ears, choosing to ignore him entirely.“Miranda, if you keep this up, I’m going to get angry!” Reginald’s tone was icy, but Miranda remained unfazed, which only fueled his anger. He suddenly said, “Fine, if you won’t talk, I won’t force you!”Miranda, surprised, opened her eyes and met Reginald's gaze.“But since you’ve chosen not to speak, I’ll tell you the truth. Yes, you’ve offended me! I’m targeting you on purpose. Not just now but in the futu
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
In that faintly charged, ambiguous atmosphere, Reginald’s ears suddenly twitched. He had caught the faint sound of footsteps approaching. His expression changed instantly. He gave Miranda a small nod, pulled up his hood, and with a light, soundless leap, landed on the windowsill. With one hand gripping the ledge, he gave a pull—and in the next breath, his figure vanished from sight.Miranda understood at once and quietly closed the window.***It was deep into the night. No stars, no moon—only utter darkness.Miranda lay upon soft pillows, her eyes shut tightly. Beads of sweat gathered on her pale, smooth forehead, soaking into her hairline. Her head moved slightly from side to side, as if trying to shake something off. Her sleep was uneasy.She dreamt of many things from the past.Foolishness from a previous life. The days in the Croyso household, sharing what felt like a mother-daughter bond with her stepmother. Hans’s sweet lies after she married with him—and her naïve, wholehearte
“Although His Majesty shows great respect and deference to the Queen Dowager, and her position in the palace seems untouchable,” Miranda said firmly, “if their relationship were truly as unshakable as it appears, then why would she need to use me as a pawn? That alone tells me—they don’t fully trust each other. I’m convinced there’s a rift between them.”Her eyes gleamed with quiet intelligence.“Besides, the Queen Dowager is from House Blackwell. So is the Queen. If Prince Zachary ascends the throne, the maternal family’s power will be overwhelming. Lord Reginald, tell me—could the King possibly feel at ease with that? Don’t you think he might also want to bring down the Queen Dowager and the Blackwell family?”If the answer to all of those questions was yes—then that was her opportunity.Especially when she recalled that moment at the Croyso estate—how the King, upon first seeing her, had lost his composure and shattered his teacup. Yet in the Queen Dowager’s hall, he had greeted he
“Miranda, what do you intend to do?” he asked cautiously, probing her thoughts.Miranda didn’t answer directly. Instead, she returned the question, “What do you think I should do, Lord Reginald?”“Just as you said, the Queen Dowager is ruthless and cunning. She doesn’t care if she destroys you in the process. So, Miranda, don’t confront her head-on. Evade her, pretend even, let her think she’s won—just don’t suffer for nothing!” That was the real reason Reginald had come today—to warn her. Earlier, he’d gone to the palace to attend council with the King and was granted leave to walk in the royal gardens afterwards. That gave him the opportunity to send Miranda a message, even now, to meet her here in person.Though he’d already passed along a warning through a young eunuch, he had still worried something might go wrong. That’s why he had been hiding near the gazebo all along, ready to intervene if needed.He had seen everything with his own eyes.In the end, it was Selena who suffered
A pair of soft, deep-set eyes turned to Miranda, glittering with charm as a smile curled across his lips.Miranda turned and saw him, immediately realizing that this man had probably climbed in through a window again.He was putting on an act as usual. With a trace of exasperation, she stepped forward and curtsied: “Lord Reginald.”Reginald glanced at Molly and waved his hand, motioning for her to leave.Molly hesitated—how could she dare leave?Reginald gave her a half-smile, half-sneer: “What are you frozen for? Do you think I’m going to devour your miss?”Miranda gave a subtle nod, and Molly reluctantly backed out.“Lord Reginald, sneaking into the Queen Dowager’s territory? Aren’t you worried that by tomorrow, rumors about the two of us will be all over the capital?” Miranda smiled once the room was clear.R
The three of them chatted for a while longer.More precisely, it was Selena and the Queen Dowager laughing cheerfully together like close kin, while Miranda seemed to be silently lost in thought, her mind elsewhere.The Queen Dowager humored Selena while occasionally casting a glance at Miranda, a knowing smile flickering in her eyes.Although today's "accident" had originally been prepared for Miranda and ended up landing on Selena by chance, the message it conveyed—and all that needed to be said—had already been delivered through Selena.If Miranda was truly clever, she should understand what path she needed to take from now on.Having just entered the palace and experienced such an event, the Queen Dowager, showing concern for the girls’ fatigue, did not keep them much longer and arranged for them to rest.As the two left together, Miranda could tell from Selena’s expression that she had likely already taken the Queen Dowager to heart—as someone she could rely on completely.Mirand
Since the king had made his decision, the matter was settled. The queen cast one final glance at Selena, then looked over at Miranda before curtseying to the Queen Dowager and taking her leave.The Queen Dowager had Selena helped to her feet and brought back to her own palace. There, she offered soothing salves for the bruises, showering Selena with gentle concern and comfort.Already full of grievance, Selena was moved by such kindness, and her sorrow burst forth. She broke into tears, crying uncontrollably in the Queen Dowager’s arms.The Queen Dowager lightly patted her shoulder, letting her cry it out.It took some time before Selena calmed down. She slowly recounted the events.After she and Miranda parted ways, the guiding maid noticed Miranda had gone missing and panicked. After all, she had been entrusted with Miranda's care, and if something happened, she would surely be punished. So she asked Selena to wait at the gazebo while she went to look for Miranda.Selena sat for a w
Before entering the palace, Miranda had once asked Molly about the events surrounding her mother’s death. Molly had said that it all began with some kind of incident involving Miranda herself. Could it have been her sudden illness? Her father, perhaps out of concern for her young age, had merely told her that her mother had passed from illness, never elaborating. After all she had been through in her past life, Miranda was certain—her stepmother had been behind her mother’s death. That much was undeniable. But how had she done it? If Miranda could uncover the truth, Sophie would be utterly ruined.Despite her inner thoughts, Miranda wore a gentle smile. “The royal physician’s skills are indeed remarkable.”Just as the physician was taking his leave, the maid who had led Miranda and Selena earlier came running in, breathless and pale.“Your Majesty the Queen Dowager, something terrible has happened! Lady Selena ran into Her Majesty the Queen over by the gazebo and, for some reason, of