The great queen dowager, Teressa, was George's grandmother. She had been living in seclusion on Mount Yalen for many years, focusing on her meditative practice. She rarely returned to the palace. Even during George and Wendy's wedding, she had remained absent. Helena had been in the palace for four years and had only seen her twice.Teressa was a critical person. Although she practiced meditation, she was harsh and strict when it came to dealing with people. Even Dina found her intimidating. If Teressa discovered that the queen wasn't perfect, she would certainly be furious and demand that the king divorce her.When Clara heard that Helena planned to invite Teressa back to the palace, she was immediately concerned."Your Highness, is that really a good idea? Lady Teressa has a deep prejudice against you. She once publicly reprimanded you, and when she's outside the palace, your life here has been easier. It's easy to invite a god, but difficult to send one away."Helena looked do
At Cloud Palace, as the sun had just set, Helena's wound began to ache.The pain was so intense that she clenched her jaw, feeling as though each breath would tear the wound open.'So painful!'Soon, Helena's consciousness started to fade due to the pain.Sweat covered her face, and she clutched Clara tightly, angrily shouting, "Medicine! Quickly, use the medicine to stop my pain! Do you want me to die from the pain...?"Clara hurried to comfort her,"Your Highness, the physician said that only after the zynthium extract is expelled can we use pain relief medicine. Please bear with it, Your Highness."She could not bear seeing her lady in such pain either. Every time her arm ended up scratched raw by Helena's grip.This was unbearable.Thirty minutes later, Helena was drenched in sweat, weakly leaning against the bed.Clara carefully tried to feed her the medicine, but as soon as she raised her hand, the medicine was knocked over."Useless! Trash! Those fools at the Royal Me
At Faith Palace, it was already a quarter past midnight, and yet George still remained alone in the hall. His patience was gradually wearing thin.When he finally saw someone approaching, his tightly furrowed brows eased slightly."Did someone follow you again?" he asked deliberately.Last time she was fifteen minutes late because Luigi from Cloud Palace had been tailing her; she had dealt with that situation, which was understandable. But what about tonight?Jane took out a set of silver needles and spread them out on the table."I was delayed by something," she offered dismissively. Then she got straight to the point. "Please disrobe."George's expression remained cold and sharp as he stared directly at her, his hands unmoving.As Jane turned her back to him to prepare, she glanced back and saw he still looked exactly the same."Why aren't you disrobing?" she asked.George's gaze became even more stern."You've been getting lazier. I've waited for you for forty-five minutes
Coughing, Jane was forced to the ground, her soles leaving a black mark on the floor. She pressed her hand against her throat, trying to dislodge the pill by patting it.However, it was futile.George landed steadily in front of her, his robes billowing in the wind, making him appear enigmatic.His cold gaze fixed on her, his eyes deep like an abyss."I know you possess considerable skills. The Dream Flower poison strikes every ten days. If you administer my treatment on schedule, I will provide you with the antidote on time."Jane's expression was icy."That's unnecessary."She hadn't said she wouldn't treat him; he was simply too skeptical. If it weren't for the stability of Nidora's state, she would never tolerate this! With that, Jane swiftly turned and left Faith Palace.Karlsen attempted to pursue her but was stopped by George."Let her go."She was poisoned now; he wasn't worried about her escaping. But a woman like her exceeded his expectations.She even knew how t
Teressa's sudden return to the palace sent waves of unease throughout the harem.At Serene Palace, Dina appeared especially tense."Why would she return to the palace so suddenly?"Normally when Teressa returned, she would send notice at least half a month in advance, and a ceremonial escort would welcome her on the day of her arrival. But this time, she had come back in such haste, as if there were urgent matters to attend to.Dina couldn't help but wonder if she had done something wrong that had drawn this old harbinger of doom back.Laurel attempted to console her."Your Majesty, please don't worry. It's said that she intends to meet with the queen upon her return. It should have nothing to do with you."Dina focused her thoughts. "According to her usual habits, she rests for a day after returning to the palace before permitting any juniors to pay their respects. It's rare for her to summon anyone on the same day. "Could it truly be directed at Wendy? But how could Wendy ha
Helena's voice rang out sharply."What? You're telling me Teressa is forcing the king to consummate the marriage with that wretch?" Her previously good mood disappeared instantly.The royal servant delivering the news kept his head low, not daring to meet her fury."Your Highness, I heard it personally. Lady Teressa said…""Enough!" Helena cut him off impatiently, unwilling to listen to any more. Her initial shock gave way to deep suspicion.Teressa's return to the palace should have been focused on investigating the queen's rumoured impurity. Why the sudden push to have the king and queen consummate their marriage?Helena's gaze turned icy, her voice laced with venom."I'll ask you again. Did Teressa question the queen about her abduction?"The royal servant shook his head. "I'm not sure. Only a few were inside the inner chamber. From where I stood outside, I couldn't hear the conversation clearly."Hearing this, Helena's face darkened. Panic welled in her chest as she
Jane looked at the items prepared for the consummation ceremony and frowned.This was getting more and more absurdWhat about George? How could he agree to such an arrangement?Alice instructed the royal servants."Set the items down and prepare the queen for her bath.""Yes—"Jane cut in with a steady voice, "Lily alone will attend to me."Alice, confident in her authority under Teressa's orders, adopted a patronizing tone toward Jane."Your Majesty, this is your first time receiving the king's favor. You may not understand the rules of the harem."The ceremonial bath before the consummation is far more intricate than an ordinary one! One person could hardly manage it all. Your Majesty, don't keep the king waiting."With a respectful bow, Alice extended an arm in a 'please proceed' gesture.Jane's eyes were cold, her tone low."Lady Teressa sent you here to ensure the consummation between me and the king. If I'm not pleased, we'll see whether this consummation takes place
Jane took two steps forward, her gaze calm and undisturbed.George put down his book, his face dark, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction."What's this? Didn't Alice teach you how to serve in bed?"Jane remained focused, not wanting to miss any of his expressions. It was clear he didn't want to consummate the marriage either.Suddenly, George grabbed her arm.His fingertips, pressing against her wrist through the fabric, sent a cold, almost destructive, sensation over her body."Afraid of pain?"Jane frowned slightly.Pain? Was it the kind of pain she imagined? Was he really going to listen to Teressa's orders and act like a good grandson?A sense of resistance rose in her, her teeth grinding as she stared directly at him in silence.His handsome face remained impassive. He grabbed her with one hand, and with the other, a dagger appeared.Jane didn't change her expression, but her heart stirred with slight confusion. What did he want with the dagger?In an instant, she reca
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.