The note read, [I'm busy tonight. Don't wait for me.]Luigi, who had served in the palace for many years, recognized the handwriting at once — it belonged to the king. But who was this note intended for?Early the next morning, after George had left Cloud Palace, Luigi reported this matter to Helena.Her expression froze."Could it be that the king has been visiting Faith Palace every night? Who is waiting for him there — a man or a woman? And w-what have they been doing every night?"Clara hurriedly tried to console her."Your Highness, please don't be anxious. Perhaps it's official business. The king might be secretly investigating some regional officials and receiving nightly reports…"Even as Clara spoke, she found her own words unconvincing.Helena couldn't contain her agitation. Her face turned pale."My head… My head is killing me! Fetch the medicine!"Her persistent migraines had flared up.Clara instinctively turned to get the medicine but suddenly remembered what
Richard had spent the past few days investigating the polo field incident. Ever the mild and affable man, the royal stable servants, trusting his sincerity, confided in him freely."I've discovered that the original person in charge of preparing the grounds fell ill unexpectedly, and the responsibility was reassigned to someone else," he reported. "The person who ultimately oversaw the field's preparation was Trevor. "After the incident, he denied any knowledge of the stones' origins and even claimed to have heard noises of things being moved in the dead of night, attempting to mislead others."But eyewitnesses stated that, in the days leading up to the polo match, Trevor returned late every night and forbade anyone from approaching the field. This makes him highly suspicious."Lacking the authority to manage palace affairs, Richard had promptly come to report the findings to George."Arrest Trevor and interrogate him thoroughly!" George immediately ordered Karlsen."Yes, Your M
Two royal guards were on duty outside Trevor's room. At nightfall, a maid brought over a meal.The royal guards noticed that the tray included a bottle of wine, and they were quite surprised."Her Majesty the queen instructed this as a reward for your diligence in guarding him," the maid explained.The guards accepted the wine, saying, "Thank Her Majesty for her kindness!"However, as soon as they took a few sips, they began to feel dizzy.Thud!Thud!The guards collapsed to the ground.The maid carrying the food and wine then stepped into the room.Trevor, who had been asleep, was startled by the noise."Who are you?"Before he could act, the intruder pulled out a dagger.Just as the maid was about to make a move, the area outside was suddenly illuminated by torchlight.Trevor clenched his jaw."Run! It's a trap!" he hissed.Before he finished speaking, several royal guards stormed into the room, surrounding both Trevor and the maid.Realizing the situation, Trevor q
The king's voice was low, carrying darkness and frustration, seemingly about to condense in the air."You're suggesting that Helena was the one orchestrating everything behind the scenes?"Jane staggered slightly from being yanked, but she quickly steadied herself. He was indeed protective of Helena, unwilling to tolerate even the slightest accusation against her."I'm merely speculating. Whether to believe it or investigate is entirely up to you, Your Majesty."George's cold, thin lips curved into a mocking smile. She always appeared outwardly respectful, but what did she truly think? Did she really believe he couldn't read between her words?"Have you visited Helena to see her injuries? Because of your medicine, she had to endure the pain without complaint, yet you suggest all of this was her doing?"Do you think she's stupid enough to harm others and end up harming herself instead? I, on the other hand, suspect you to be the true culprit!"Jane's pupils contracted slightly. S
The man was dragged in front of the king. George immediately recognized him — this was a servant from Helena's palace!"Pour water on him."Splash!A basin of cold water was thrown over Luigi's head, forcing him awake. The first thing he saw was the imposing king, and cold sweat instantly covered him."Greetings, Your Majesty!" Luigi trembled uncontrollably.If the king found out he had been sent by Helena to spy on Faith Palace, he would be finished! However, since he had been knocked out, it was clear that the king had already discovered him.Luigi was shaking all over.George's jawline was as sharp as a knife, his thin lips slightly parted."Remove his arm.""As you wish!" Karlsen moved swiftly and ruthlessly.A piercing scream echoed, and a severed arm was left on the ground.-At Cloud Palace, Helena was about to settle in when Clara suddenly rushed in, her face full of excitement."Your Highness, the king has arrived!"The king had come so late; it must have been be
Jane burned the secret letter. The flame reflected in her eyes, resembling hellfire, ready to consume all sins when the time came."Helena handles matters flawlessly and has a knack for manipulating people. From Timothy to Trevor, even when exposed, these people would rather die than betray her."So in the bandits' case, at most, we could suspect her but not produce solid evidence. It's understandable that George chose to trust Helena."What we need to do is gradually gather her incriminating evidence. Drip by drip, it will become a river. This time, it was the maid. Next time, there will be someone else."One day, when the chain of evidence is complete, Helena will have no way to defend herself. At that time, even George won't be able to shield her."This approach would take more time than killing her outright. However, letting Helena die so easily wouldn't quench the hatred in Jane's heart or clear Wendy's name.Jane intended to destroy everything Helena had and cherished, maki
At Cloud Palace, Gloria sat in a warm chamber, the doors and windows tightly shut. The room was filled with smoke from candles. It was so thick it made her eyes sting and her breathing labored.Helena had summoned Gloria to the palace under the pretense of a discussion, but instead, she was left alone in this stifling chamber. The servants claimed the candles were meant to invigorate and clear her mind, but to her, the scent was cloying and of inferior quality.An hour passed, and the air grew heavier. Smoke swirled in the confined space, making Gloria increasingly uneasy. She rose to open the window, only to find it sealed shut, as if locked from the outside. She then tried the door—it wouldn't budge.A sense of dread washed over her. Was she being deliberately trapped?Sweat began to bead on her back as she coughed violently. The oppressive smoke seemed to claw at her throat like an invisible hand, choking the air from her lungs. Tears welled in her eyes as dizziness overtook her
The royal guards at the entrance of Cloud Palace blocked the way."Your Majesty, please forgive us! Lady Helena has decreed that she is receiving an important guest, and no one is to disturb—"Before the guard could finish, Jane's calm gaze, cold and sharp as a blade, interrupted him."If you value your life, step aside."Just then, a composed and sultry voice came from within the hall. "Is it Her Majesty the queen? Please forgive me for being unable to greet you properly due to my injuries."And you — how blind must you be to block even the queen? I'll be sure to have you punished later!"The royal guards immediately moved aside, bowing respectfully to Jane."Your Majesty, please proceed."Inside the hall, Jane's gaze first landed on her mother, Gloria, before turning to Helena, who was seated in the center. Helena smiled faintly, but the chill within her eyes was as venomous as a serpent's."Your Majesty," Helena began, "I was just discussing with Mrs. Foster how best to rais
Mary stared blankly at the person before her.The queen was actually Commander Morris who had saved her all those years ago.Good heavens! What had she been doing all this time?She had actually believed Jocelyn and gone against the queen at every turn. She had even exposed the queen's marriage substitution.For the sake of Jocelyn, an impostor, she had nearly caused the death of her true savior.At this moment, Mary was filled with regret and remorse.Jane lowered her gaze to the bracelet on her wrist and sensed something was off.Their eyes met suddenly. Mary's gaze was emotional, her voice trembling. "You–"She had countless things to say, but she didn't know where to start."Commander, I personally measured your wrist for this bracelet. Now, do you still wish to deny it?" Mary gazed at her intently.Jane's brows furrowed slightly. "Princess–"Mary interrupted her. "I was a fool. I conspired with Jocelyn and went against you at every turn. It's only natural that you bla
Lancelot had been particularly idle these past few days.Earlier that day, while eating at a tavern, he had overheard people at the next table plotting to kill the king. Without hesitation, he had scurried over excitedly.Upon learning that a heroic figure like Commander Morris had been killed, he was instantly filled with righteous indignation. Mostly, though, it was because he had heard from Fred and the others that Commander Morris had been Henry's close friend.In that case, he had to do his part.Lancelot prided himself on being loyal and devoted, extending his affections to those his friends cared for.Little did he know that, in that moment in Jane's eyes, he was being utterly foolish.Had his life been too smooth sailing? Was he eager to know what it felt like to have his head hanging by a thread?Seeing Lancelot charging toward her, Jane didn't wait for George to offer her an opening to attack. With one hand pressing down on his shoulder, she delivered a flying kick.T
Karlsen sat there, stunned, unable to believe what he was seeing.The queen was straddling the king's waist, gripping both of his wrists and pinning him against the carriage wall, all the while biting his neck.The posture made it seem like the king was being forced.Karlsen's instinctive reaction was to protect the king. But the moment the queen turned her head, the murderous intent in her eyes made him freeze.For some reason, in that brief instant, his body acted faster than his brain. It made a choice–a choice that ensured his survival.Whoosh!Karlsen decisively dropped the carriage curtain. 'The king must be enjoying this.' He thought, reassuring himself. 'Yes, definitely.'It wasn't just Karlsen. George himself hadn't expected to be overpowered by a woman, especially in such a position.He stared coldly at the woman in front of him. Her hair was a mess, and her lips were red and slightly swollen. There was even a distinct bite mark on her neck from him.Of course, he
George stared straight at Jane before solemnly speaking again."Why don't you ask me whether I have ever favored Helena?"It wasn't as if she didn't know that a woman born without a vaginal opening couldn't consummate a marriage with a man."Your Majesty, this matter has little to do with me," Jane replied honestly. Seeing the sudden chill on his face, she added, "Even a woman with such a condition can still receive favor. So I never doubted anything." Such as, perhaps, whether he was incapable.In an instant, George looked daggers at her."You've been playing the role of Commander Morris for so long that you seem to have learned quite a bit about the affairs between men and women."Jane lowered her gaze indifferently. "Your Majesty, that's high praise."George was speechless. Did she really think he was complimenting her?After a strange silence, George spoke directly."Helena has never shared my bed. The favor I bestowed upon her was because, during those four years, it was
Jane had come with George. She stood outside the door, listening to Helena's shrill screams. She couldn't bear it anymore.Helena was the kind of person who would never repent.At first, she had thought that making Helena suffer the same torment would settle their debts. But now, it seemed that letting Helena go would only plant an even greater disaster. She knew well enough to never underestimate a person's hatred.At that moment, upon hearing that the queen was also present, Helena's emotions surged. She howled furiously."Get out! I only want to see His Majesty! Wretched woman! I'll make His Majesty kill you! If he won't help me, I'll do it myself! I'll never let you–Ahh!"Helena looked down in disbelief at the sword piercing her chest. It happened too fast. She hadn't even seen it coming before she was struck.Forget Helena, even expert fighters like George and Karlsen had failed to stop Jane in time.She had moved as if she had teleported. Karlsen, who was closest to the
In the afternoon, at Serene Palace, Mary had originally planned to go to Zen Palace, but she heard that the king had taken the queen out of the palace. She had no idea what for."If the queen returns, inform me immediately," Mary ordered her maid, Irene.Irene respectfully acknowledged the command, but she couldn't help feeling suspicious. Could Commander Morris' execution be related to the queen?Why else was Mary so anxious to find the queen, to the point that she didn't even have time to mourn for her?What Irene didn't know was that Mary only hated that Jocelyn had died too late, and that she had learned the truth too late."Wait a moment." A thought suddenly struck Mary. "Go to the storeroom and bring me that bracelet.""The bracelet? Your Highness, do you mean the mechanical bracelet you had crafted for Commander Morris, but which was accidentally broken on the way back to the country?"Mary's gaze turned hazy. "Yes, that one."Her palms began to sweat.–Outside the pa
When George entered and saw Mary there as well, his brows furrowed slightly. It seemed that his sister doubted Jane's identity as queen and had come to test her."Your Majesty, are you finished at court already?" Mary asked with an ambiguous tone.George naturally walked over to Jane's side and countered with a question of his own. "What are you doing here?"He had not forgotten how she had threatened him with her life last night for Jocelyn's sake. It was utterly ridiculous.Even in George's presence, Mary's gaze remained on Jane."I had some words I wished to speak to Her Majesty in private. I hadn't finished when you arrived," Mary replied.George's eyes turned cold, carrying a hint of indifference."Oh? Should I step out and let you continue?" His words were harsh, laced with barely concealed hostility.Mary didn't understand why he was so wary of her. But time was on her side. She had plenty of time to uncover the truth behind Commander Morris.Mary gave Jane a slight bow
Jane suddenly realized that the contract had a major flaw, but she couldn't let George have the final say. She immediately spoke up."Your Majesty, the contract doesn't mention–""What does it not mention?" George cut her off, feigning ignorance.Jane refused to let him play dumb on such an important matter. Her expression turned serious as she took a step back and bowed respectfully."Your Majesty, to me, you will always be the sovereign. Since the contract states the reason for my continued stay in the palace and has already been signed, please forgive me for being unable to regard you as my true husband."Her words were measured, leaving no room for misunderstanding.George gazed at her deeply. A few moments later, his expression turned indifferent."I also find it difficult to see you as my wife, Commander Morris. This is nothing more than a charade to deceive outsiders. Surely, you know how to play along?"Jane stood still for a moment before nodding slightly. "Yes, I unde
Suddenly, a large shadow loomed over Jane. She looked up and saw George standing before her, his gaze cold and indifferent."I'll give you one year to sort out these matters." His tone was distant. "For the next year, you will remain in the palace as my queen. First, to make up for your negligence as queen over the past year. "Second, given the extent of Jocelyn's disruption, you concealed the matter and failed to report it, practically aiding and abetting her. Thus, you must bear the consequences until the situation stabilizes."Do you have any objections?"Jane was speechless.Another year in the palace?The disapproval she instinctively showed only fueled the fire inside George, making his expression even sterner. His gaze turned sharp."Moreover, I will pardon the offense of deceiving the king by the Foster and Morris families. "Commander Morris, in regards to your concealed identity and the marriage substitution with Wendy, there's no way Kennedy was the only one aware.