Helena almost stood up from her seat.It couldn't be! The king couldn't possibly have favored Wendy!Moreover, the blood on that cloth couldn't possibly be Wendy's virgin blood! She had clearly already lost her purity!Helena had a look of disbelief on her face.But Teressa seemed satisfied and soon allowed Helena to leave.Helena left Longevity Palace, her mind distracted.Clara felt the same way. Had the king and queen really consummated their marriage?But wasn't the queen…Clara instinctively looked at her mistress.Helena's eyes were tinged with a hint of red.Something was wrong! This consummation had to be fake!Helena both refused to believe it and desperately wanted to see the king, to ask him about it in person.-Elsewhere, in Serene Palace, Dina was surprised to hear that the king and queen had consummated their marriage."Is this news reliable?"Laurel nodded repeatedly."Your Majesty, it's true. Lady Teressa sent Alice to oversee the entire process, and th
Inside Zen Palace, new bedding had been laid.Jane stepped out of the bathhouse and changed into her formal attire.Lily brought in hot coffee, her expression full of concern as she asked, "Your Majesty, did you...consummate the marriage?"Jane showed no extra emotion on her face. "You need not ask about this matter."Hearing this, Lily became even more confused, but since her mistress had instructed her not to ask, she refrained from further questioning.Suddenly, a knock came from outside."Your Majesty, Lady Helena wishes to see you!"Lily's heart skipped a beat. "She must be here about your consummation, Your Majesty. Do you wish to see her?"Jane drank the still-hot coffee, feeling some relief in her throat, and then spoke calmly, "Let her in."Inside the hall, it was only Jane and Helena.As soon as Helena saw her, her face twisted in rage, as though she were about to lunge at Jane and tear her apart."Your Majesty, you certainly seem proud of yourself," Helena sneered
Helena couldn't understand how Wendy could have avoided the body inspection. After much thought, the only explanation she could come up with was that the person in front of her was not Wendy.But this explanation was absurd. If she wasn't Wendy, who was she?Faced with Helena's doubts, Jane didn't try to defend herself. She stared at Helena with a cold, heavy tone."Indeed, I am not Wendy. After being captured by the bandits, I am no longer her."Helena felt a chilling pressure. She wanted to step back, but Wendy grabbed her collar, forcing her to bend down, and the wounds on her body tormented her."You... Let go!" she cried out.Jane held her tightly and slowly stood up. Helena's eyes widened. The shadow cast over her felt like a demon emerging from the depths of the earth.A faint smile appeared on Jane's face…"There is a strange medicine from a foreign land. If it's applied to the skin, after forty-nine days, it can regenerate and make all scars disappear. The skin becomes
Jane had been affected by the Dream Flower poison, and while waiting for news from Wallace outside the palace, she also attempted to purge the poison on her own.In a careless moment, she fainted inexplicably.Then it felt as though she had returned to the past, or perhaps fallen into a nightmare.She saw someone who hadn't appeared in her dreams for a long time. She spoke to him for quite a while...When Jane woke up, she didn't know how long she had been unconscious.She only felt the room was eerily quiet. Her breathing was uneasy.Lily was by the bed, looking pale as paper, her hands trembling."Your Majesty... You're awake..." Lily said.Jane sensed that something was wrong. She sat up, and upon looking around, saw that George was also there.He was sitting on a small couch not far away, his expression as cold as ancient ice, now staring at her with an intense gaze.Jane's mind briefly went blank.Had he figured out that she was affected by the Dream Flower?Swoosh—G
Richard bowed first. "Your Majesty."George's gaze bypassed Richard entirely, settling on Jane. In an authoritative tone, he ordered, "Leave. The great queen dowager dislikes being disturbed by outsiders."Lily seethed silently, too afraid to speak up. How could the queen, the king's lawful wife and Teressa's granddaughter-in-law, be reduced to an outsider by that tyrant king?Jane remained composed and bowed gracefully. "Yes."She had never wanted to come in the first place. Since he said she wasn't needed, she was more than happy to leave.Inside Longevity Palace, Teressa sat in the seat of honor, with the king and Richard on both sides. Her sharp gaze swept across the room. "It's already this late. Why hasn't the queen come to greet me?""The queen is clumsy with words. It would only upset you, Grandmother. I sent her back," George replied without a change in expression.Teressa didn't press further for now. However, after the king and Richard had left, she instructed Alice
Helena woke up at dawn the next day.There was no sign of George in the chamber, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.Clara drew back the bed curtains, her face beaming with joy."Congratulations for earning the king's continued favor, Your Highness! This morning, before the king left, he instructed me to prepare herbal soup to nourish you. Your Highness, if I may ask boldly, did you...serve the king last night?"The king's affection was certainly a good thing, but Clara was worried since Helena's injuries were still severe. She shouldn't be engaging in such activities.Helena didn't answer the question. "Water."As Helena washed up, Clara spoke again."Teressa has only been back in the palace for two days, yet she's already preparing to leave for Mount Yalen again. Your Highness, will you be going to see her off?"Helena let out a cold laugh, her eyes filled with resentment."See her off? More like see her to her grave! I thought she would deal with Wendy, but in
Security was tight in the palace. Gloria waited an entire day before finally gaining entrance to see the queen.Jane listened calmly to Gloria while the latter recounted Caleb's troubles, her expression remaining impassive."Destruction precedes renewal," Jane said simply.Though she had been investigating Caleb's predicament, she was well aware of one truth. As the eldest son of the Foster family, Caleb could not remain mired in despair indefinitely.Gloria, however, saw Jane's response as indifference. "He's your brother! If his future is truly ruined, what will become of the Foster family? Just because you lack childhood bonds with him doesn't mean—"Jane's sharp gaze cut her mother off mid-sentence."Where he fell, there he must climb back up. Why is he at the mercy of others? Because he settled for the position of assistant captain and lost his ambition. His downfall is his own doing. When Wendy was in danger, did he, as her elder brother, protect her? What future, what resp
Inside Zen Palace, George sat with a somber face, his brows and eyes carrying a cold sharpness as he questioned Jane."If I hadn't come across this today, I wouldn't have known you've been secretly taking such medicine."Jane remained calm, her expression unwavering as she replied without hesitation, "This medicine was sent by my mother. She is unaware of the situation regarding the consummation. I was about to have Lily dispose of it."Her denial was so swift and seamless that it betrayed no hint of falsehood.George scrutinized her, his gaze icy and piercing."You'd better not be harboring any ulterior motives."Then, his tone turned businesslike as he issued an order."The Romenian envoys will arrive soon. A welcome banquet will be held in their honor. In the past, Helena managed such events, but she is gravely injured now. I am entrusting this to you. Remember, this concerns the relations between two nations—there must not be any mistakes!"Jane furrowed her brows lightly.
When George arrived at Zen Palace, Wendy was taking her medicine. She wore plain clothes, which made her appearance even more ethereal, like a bright moon. The medicine smelled bitter. It probably tasted even more so.Jane stood up and performed a curtsy with a calm expression. "Greetings, Your Majesty.""I told you, your injury is not healed, there's no need for you to curtsy.""Very well."After George sat down, he intended to ask about the petition but noticed her complexion was very pale. Had she become so haggard after only a few days without him seeing her? What were the servants in Zen Palace doing? Why were they failing to properly care for their mistress?"Has the physician come to check your pulse?" he casually asked.Jane sat across from him, her face full of worry. "He has come. There's nothing serious."Lily spoke at the right moment. "Your Majesty, the queen misses her parents and has trouble eating and sleeping."Jane didn't deny this, lowering her gaze, appear
Inside the royal study, George's commanding presence inspired awe and submission.Rachel maintained her curtsy, her head slightly lowered, eyes fixed on the floor. The hall was silent, so much so that she could hear her own heartbeat.The king finally spoke in a deep voice."Your brother embezzled military funds, seized credit for others' achievements, and, to eliminate witnesses, resorted to private punishment. He even sent people to pursue them all the way to the Royal City. Have you heard of this?"Rachel bit her lip lightly."I was raised in a temple from a young age. The brother I remember was upright and kind. I had no knowledge that he–""The Autumn Feast. The gifts."The abrupt interruption unsettled her.George casually flipped open a book, his tone seemingly indifferent as he read and asked, "Did it have nothing to do with you?"Rachel had not expected the king to question her about this, given that the Autumn Feast had passed more than two weeks ago.She immediatel
Jane had a detached look in her eyes.Even without a physician's report, George could see that she was faking her illness. That meant she couldn't keep up the act any longer. She couldn't use this as an opportunity to fake her death and leave the palace.Now, she had to come up with another plan.First things first, she needed to contact Wallace and get her hands on the drug to stage her death. But with the palace under strict lockdown, that was proving to be a serious obstacle.However, despite not a single physician daring to speak up, George could tell that the queen's fever was mostly feigned. But with state affairs piling up, he had no time to dwell on the matter. At most, she was just trying to gain his attention.Since she had taken an arrow for him, he would let it slide. However, he wouldn't indulge her. After that day, George didn't visit Zen Palace again.Josephine and Julie, on the other hand, came often."Your Majesty, are you really feeling better?" Josephine asked
"Every physician in the Royal Medical Bureau?" Dina was stunned for a moment.It was rare for the entire Royal Medical Bureau to be summoned for a diagnosis. Normally, when someone in the palace fell ill, at most, two physicians would take turns attending to them.Was the queen's injury that severe?Laurel bowed and stood respectfully. "Lady Dina, I suspect that His Majesty believes Her Majesty is feigning her illness."Dina raised an eyebrow. "If that's the case, it's possible." However, this was an excessive display. If the queen were truly faking her illness and got exposed, what would become of her dignity?-At Fragrant Palace, Aurelia sounded almost gleeful when she spoke."Lady Rachel, with the Royal Medical Bureau conducting a joint diagnosis, we'll soon find out whether Her Majesty is pretending or not."Rachel had been worried about her brother's case, a constant shadow of concern on her face. It was only after hearing Aurelia's words that a faint smile appeared.I
George stood there, his expression darkening, cold as the harshest winter frost. Despicably, he blamed everything on the queen.Suddenly, Jane's strong internal energy sensed his presence. Their eyes met, and she saw the disgust in his gaze.Lily followed Jane's line of sight. Seeing that it was the king, she hurriedly grabbed the robe from the bed and draped it over Jane's shoulders. She completely ignored the fact that it was only natural for a king to look at his own woman.Fortunately, the wound had just been bandaged."Greetings, Your Majesty." Lily stepped out of the bed curtains and performed a curtsy first.Jane dressed herself without greeting him. Inevitably, the movement pulled at the wound on her back, but she could endure it.George asked coldly, "The queen's fever still hasn't subsided?"Lily lowered her head. "Y-Yes."She was somewhat nervous. She had no idea when George had come. Thankfully, she and Jane hadn't said anything confidential just now. Otherwise, t
"Yes."If it were any ordinary person in danger, she would still step in to help.Then, Jane added, "Within my ability."Marissa had often reminded her that this life of hers belonged to her first and foremost.George cared only about that single word, 'Yes'.He couldn't quite describe what he was feeling at that moment. Helena had also risked her life for him, given her heart's blood for him, and even sacrificed years off her lifespan. By comparison, the queen had merely cured him of Thiberium poisoning and taken an arrow for him–nothing close to Helena's four years of devotion.Yet, it was the queen's actions that stirred something in his heart.Perhaps it was because Helena gave, but also demanded something in return. Whereas the queen never had…However, the gentleness in George's eyes was once again replaced by cold indifference.Who could say for certain that the queen was truly without wants? What if it was simply a strategy of retreating in order to advance?He had
Teressa arrived at Zen Palace with an air of authority. The chief maid, Maya, hurriedly led her into the inner chamber.Inside, Teressa saw George next to the table, his gaze fixed on the bed where a maid was feeding Jane her medicine. He was so focused on the queen that he didn't even notice his grandmother's arrival.Her presence wasn't acknowledged until Steven saw her. "Greetings, Lady Teressa!"Only then did George snap out of his thoughts and rise to welcome her."Grandmother." His voice was hoarse, as if he had developed a fever and hurt his throat.Teressa felt a pang of sympathy for her grandson."George, you were up all night dealing with the assassins and barely rested. The queen has plenty of people attending to her. You should go back and get some rest."George's expression remained indifferent, as though it didn't trouble him much. "I only stopped by to take a look. I was just about to leave."Teressa nodded before turning her gaze to the woman on the bed."What
Dina was usually kind and gentle. If not for being pushed to the limit by Wilhelmina, she would never have raised her hand.She gazed at Wilhelmina, her palm still tingling, and felt uneasy."Wilhelmina! I told you to watch your words and actions. Now look at you. You have truly disappointed me!" she scolded. "A few words from Lady Rachel were enough to make you lose your senses? Do you really think she has your best interests at heart?""She knows you are not like Rosalie, that you will never be favored by the king, and that you are easy to manipulate. That is why she wants to support you in rising to power. "But once she bears a royal son, you will be left guarding an empty title, only to be cast aside in the end! Do you understand?"Dina's words jolted Wilhelmina back to her senses. She covered the side of her face where she had been slapped and forcibly steadied her emotions."Aunt Dina, you are right. I was wrong."Upon leaving Serene Palace, Wilhelmina felt troubled.Bac
Lily wasn't sure whether she should announce that Jane had woken.Fortunately, at that moment, a voice came from behind the curtain. "Your Majesty, I just woke up."After hearing her speak, George lifted the curtain with one hand. His slender fingers grasped the fabric, leaving noticeable creases.Their eyes met. He gazed at the frail woman before him, his fists clenching slightly."Rest well."Beyond that cold, distant expression of concern, he said nothing more.Jane broke the tense atmosphere, supporting herself as she sat up.George frowned, stepped forward, and reached out to steady her by the waist. Unknowingly, he pressed against an old wound.Jane drew in a sharp breath and froze.George noticed her reaction. "What's wrong?"He rarely displayed such patience with her."It's nothing." Jane shook her head gently, though inwardly, she was rolling her eyes. Enduring the pain, she mustered her strength to sit up.George had no idea about the injury on her abdomen. When h