Cillian looked worried. "Have you always taken care of yourself like this? Don't you know that even things that hardly ever happen can still happen?"While they talked, Yitty's finger was already wrapped up with a band-aid.Yitty stared at the new cartoon band-aid on her finger and could not help but be amazed. "Why do you have band-aids with you?""Is it weird?" Cillian was picking up the broken glass on the floor. "I didn't mean to bring it, but now I think I'll have to carry band-aids with me all the time. Maybe I'll need to bring extra, just in case someone gets hurt and doesn't know how to stop the bleeding."Touching the band-aid on her finger, Yitty felt like the band-aid was fixing more than just her cut—it was like it was mending something inside her too.The floor was nearly clean, but the red wine spill needed mopping. "Hey, where are you going?" Yitty caught Cillian as he tried to leave. "You can't go out. You have to stay here with me."Yitty could not hold back an
Lucy still stood with her back to the door, not wanting to intrude further.Cillian tapped Lucy's shoulder gently, coaxing her to turn around. "Go see Yitty. She's pretty much sober now and keeps asking why you haven't returned."Lucy finally turned, her cheeks burning as she faced Cillian. He felt so awkward he wished he could vanish into thin air.Lucy was not completely clueless. Over the years, she had seen her fair share of TV shows, complete with all sorts of kissing scenes. However, seeing a kiss happen right in front of her was a whole different ball game compared to watching it on a screen.Cillian and Yitty used to avoid each other like the plague, but Lucy really wanted to help them patch things up. She wished nothing more than for her two friends to be happy. Before she could even put her matchmaking plans into action, they had already gotten together and were planning their future together.The way they kissed... Well, Lucy thought it was best to just look away.He
On the way downstairs, Yitty really wanted to ask Lucy what she understood, but Lucy just kept smiling in a way that Yitty could not figure out.Yitty felt a shiver run through her."Lucy, can you not?" Yitty pleaded.She would prefer Lucy to give her a piece of her mind than to keep smiling mysteriously at her.Lucy was not about to play coy. "Did you and Cillian make up?""Yeah. You figured that out?"Lucy rolled her eyes. If she could not see what was right in front of her, then what good were her eyes? It was obvious to anyone that Yitty and Cillian were practically lighting up the room with their chemistry. How could she miss it?"Yitty, I'm not blind. If I can't see what's happening, then what's the point of having eyes?""However, we... I mean, Cillian and I didn't do anything!"Yitty was fibbing right to Lucy's face. She knew exactly what had happened between her and Cillian in that room. The air had been filled with romance, and her heart was still racing. There was n
Lucy knew a bit about Charlotte's life, but honestly, she did not think it was all that important. She had heard about Charlotte mostly through the grapevine, but nobody really talked about Charlotte's old secrets.Yitty was getting super excited as she dished out the gossip. "You've got to hear this. Charlotte's past is like something out of a movie. There was this team of nosy reporters who were really good at sniffing out celebrity secrets, and they spilled the beans on Charlotte. "They said she hung out with a bunch of rich guys, and not just in Charleston. But later on, those reporters admitted they made the whole thing up. At first, everyone was bashing the reporters for spreading lies just to make a buck. "But then people started to think that maybe Charlotte wasn't the goody-two-shoes they thought she was, and now everyone's talking about it again.""Why haven't I heard anything about it?" Lucy wondered. She was pretty good at finding stuff online, but she had not seen a
Charlotte was still a princess of the Charleston royal family. Even though Lucy was her equal, Charlotte had been a princess for so long and had earned enough respect. If Lucy did what Yitty did and fought with Charlotte every time she was challenged, what would happen to the royal family's reputation?That was Lucy's biggest concern.She was always polite, hardworking, and patient. However, she had her limits, and she was not someone who could be pushed around easily.Maybe Charlotte saw Lucy's patience and reluctance to confront her as weaknesses and kept causing trouble for her.Even the smallest things became a battle.Lucy's gentle nature only made Charlotte dislike her more.Yitty ate the last slice of cake on her plate, quietly set it down, and dusted off her hands as she turned to Lucy."Do you know why Charlotte is so set on kicking you out of the Charleston palace?""She thinks that way?""Oh, my sweet Lucy, you're just too innocent!" A spark of realization flickered
Yitty paused, then a small smile played on her lips. "Look at you, Lucy, putting your new knowledge to use right away! But if I'm going to protect you, you'll have to make it worth my while. This job isn't easy, you know. Are you sure you want me on your side?"Lucy knew Yitty was teasing and played along. "Absolutely! Who else in Charleston could match your skills? I'll pay you whatever you ask for!"Lucy and Yitty were giggling and joking as they strolled out of the kitchen. They did not even notice Charlotte standing a short distance away, waiting for them.Yitty saw Charlotte first."Look who's here, just as we were talking about her!"Lucy looked where Yitty was pointing and saw Charlotte in her comfy clothes, sipping hot coffee and munching on a sandwich.She must have woken up hungry and made herself something to eat since she did not grab a bite in the kitchen earlier."Come on, let's not waste our time on her," Yitty said, looping her arm through Lucy's and steering her
Furious, Charlotte hurled her cup to the floor.It shattered with a loud crash against the marble, the fragments slicing her ankle and drawing blood.However, she did not feel any physical pain, only a fiery anger burning inside her.It was undeniable that just seeing Lucy stand there made her blood boil with rage. The mere thought of Juliana's partiality toward Lucy filled her with intense jealousy.She worked so tirelessly to build her reputation in the Charleston palace for over 20 years, only to have it crumble to dust the moment Lucy returned! In just a flash, their roles had been reversed.If she accepted Lucy's treatment, would she eventually be cast out by the Charleston royal family?Would the life of luxury she had always dreamed of become nothing more than a distant memory? She could not bear that thought... She did not want it to end like that...She had to get Lucy out of the Charleston palace or she would never find peace.Yitty shook her head in resignation. Char
The next day's festival highlight was divided into several parts, starting with a grand auction where rare wines—treasured and stored in cellars by buyers and sellers alike—would be up for bids.At the Charleston palace, there was an auction unlike any other. It was special because it helped a charity. Some of the money made from selling things went straight to helping people in need.Next up was the super fun wine-tasting game. Anyone could join, no matter how old they were, what job they had, or where they came from. They got to try really yummy red wines, and if they could guess where and when the wine was made, they could win a big prize! For years, that guessing game had been tough, with no one able to win the final round. It had been a big mystery that everyone loved to talk about. The media could not wait to see if someone would finally solve it that day.After the wine fun, it was time for Charleston Fashion Week. It was a whole week of people showing off new clothes from
As Gabriella examined the luxurious clothes, bags, shoes, and pants, she could not help but feel that Lucy was completely unappreciative of such treasures. She failed to utilize them to enhance her appearance! They spent quite a while going through the various garments and accessories, yet there were still items they had not finished checking out.Lucy gave an awkward smile, acknowledging her own laziness. After a long search, Gabriella finally found a piece that caught her eye. As she checked the tag, she was surprised to find that the dress was designed by a renowned French designer. It featured a V-neck, with simple yet elegant sleeves that revealed a hint of Lucy's arms, while the skirt was a refined and tailored fit.Gabriella held up the dress against Lucy, murmuring to herself, “Hmm, this one’s nice! You should try it on!” Even though she spoke to Lucy in a tone reminiscent of an older sister, she still maintained her authority as a mother-in-law. It made her words both
Since the previous incident, Lucy had become increasingly attentive to her children. She watched over them at nearly every moment. She feared that Charlotte might seize any chance to harm the children, so she remained vigilant and meticulous, avoiding any lapses. In her eyes, Matthew Leon and the children represented her entire world, and she could not afford even the slightest mishap.One day, Gabriella Sharpe visited their home. She arrived as lively as ever, wearing impeccably applied makeup that included an expensive shade of lipstick. Her appearance radiated the elegance of a woman of high social standing, making her stand out among the people on the street.Lucy welcomed Gabriella warmly, treating her with utmost respect. It created an atmosphere of family harmony. Gabriella settled into a chair, savoring the fruit that Lucy offered her. She held Johnny closely, reluctant to part with him. She showered him with compliments and laughter."Mom, you seem to be in a great mood l
Matthew noticed Lucy’s absent-mindedness and asked gently, "Lulu, what’s on your mind?"“Oh, nothing… I just think what happened to Charlotte is so sudden,” Lucy replied.“Don’t worry about it. It has nothing to do with us. She was always trying to harm you. Her fate is something she brought upon herself.” Matthew patted her head comfortingly.However, Lucy found it suspicious. Although the news reported Charlotte’s assassination and that the monastery had burned down to ashes, it did not mention her body. That kind of crucial detail would not have been overlooked by the media.Matthew had also considered this possibility, but he had kept it to himself to avoid alarming Lucy. Charlotte had been sent to the monastery because of him and Lucy, and she had to harbor a deep hatred for them. If she managed to orchestrate her own escape, what if she was now seeking help from Spades to target Lucy? That would be dangerous.“Lulu, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you or the ch
With nothing left to hold onto, Charlotte walked down the empty streets, her heart heavy with despair. She wore a black veil that covered her completely, revealing only her eyes. She even had on dark sunglasses. She dared not walk in the open or be seen, nor did she dare expose Juliana’s crimes to the world.She used to be a princess. Everything she had done, every privilege and indulgence, was backed by Arthur and Juliana’s love and permission. Now that her supporters had betrayed her, what right did she have to be reckless or demand anything? Surviving itself was a luxury. How could she even think of acting willfully?As she wandered in anguish, Charlotte found herself by the river. She remembered coming here with Arthur and Juliana when she was a child, laughing and walking along the bank. Now, each memory felt painfully ironic, and every kiss from Juliana seemed sickening. How could her world be so false? How could even the people she trusted most turn against her?Charlotte cou
Charlotte continued to hide within the castle, unwilling to leave and equally unwilling to let anyone know she was alive—unless they promised never to send her back to the monastery. However, she doubted that would happen, so she kept to the shadows. After all, the castle had plenty of food. It was far better than anything at the monastery.One night, Charlotte quietly slipped into Arthur and Juliana's bedroom. To her surprise, Arthur was not there, and only Juliana was present. 'Dad must be too upset to sleep,' Charlotte thought. She knew him well—whenever he was troubled, he would retreat to the study rather than go to bed.As she watched her beloved mother, a tiny bit of her resolve wavered. Juliana looked utterly exhausted, as if she had lost a lot of weight in just a few days. Charlotte had a sudden urge to go in and comfort her, but she knew that was impossible. Charlotte realized that seeing someone through a wall of separation was the most painful thing of all.Just as
The next morning, news of the assassination attempt on Charlotte was sensationalized across all media outlets. The internet was flooded with headlines about her close brush with death, sparking worldwide shock. No one could believe that Charlotte, notorious for her arrogance and harsh treatment of offenders, could have been targeted like this. Many who resented her strict, often cruel ways were both thrilled and stunned by the news. The royal family immediately tightened security at the monastery, dispatching a large police force to investigate what had happened. The monastery became a focal point of public intrigue.“What? That's impossible! How could there be no trace?” Juliana exclaimed in disbelief. Standing before her was the chief forensic investigator.“Yes, Your Majesty, there's no sign of Princess Charlotte’s remains,” the investigator confirmed firmly.“Fine, I understand. Leave me, and keep me informed if anything changes,” Juliana replied, pressing her fingers to her
As the footsteps came closer, Charlotte held her breath, not daring to make a sound. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared—it was clear they were targeting her. She watched as the figure approached the bed, moving so quietly it was as if they made no sound at all. What could they possibly be planning? Surely, the headmistress would not go this far?The figure drew closer to the bed, bundled up the pillows and blankets, and then doused something over them. Charlotte could smell it—it was gasoline! Was the headmistress planning to kill her to silence her? She froze, unable to move. The shadow struck a match and dropped it onto the bed. In an instant, flames surged up from the blankets.In the fire’s glow, Charlotte could make out that it was not the headmistress but a man. After setting the fire, he quickly slipped away without making a single sound. Charlotte crept out while stifling a cough, afraid he might hear and return. The flames grew quickly, engulfing the bed and spreading t
Over the past year or so, Charlotte had gradually come to understand that the world was not just about picturesque landscapes and lavish feasts. In the shadows, beyond her sight, lay a world full of schemes and deception. Despite her ongoing attempts to plot against Lucy Quinn, she had not noticed this aspect at all until she arrived at the monastery. Here, she realized how dark human nature could truly be.The women at the monastery constantly criticized and belittled her, while the headmistress was corrupt, using her position for personal vendettas. She was also driven by greed for wealth and status. All Charlotte wanted was to escape this dreadful place and return to her castle. She wanted to go back to her plush, comfortable bed. There, she led a life surrounded by maids tending to her every need.Thinking of this, she remembered Lucy and envisioned her seated in her rightful place, basking in the affection of Arthur and Juliana. She could see Lucy's haughty expression starin
In a moment of heat, Charlotte blurted everything out. Joan was dumbfounded! Was this really Charlotte? She usually did not talk this much, did she? It was not just Joan who was shocked; the headmistress across from Charlotte was equally taken aback. Charlotte was usually so obedient. How had her tongue turned so venomous today? The headmistress was left speechless as every word Charlotte said was so reasonable that no one could argue against it, and it even warranted some compliments! Although Charlotte was confronting the headmistress, each of her statements felt like a plea for justice.Charlotte was not done yet and continued, “Since you know I’m a princess, you should give me some consideration. Yet, in reality, I’m the one giving you all the consideration. Is that reasonable?” Charlotte’s arguments were layered and logical, her thoughts clear. It left the headmistress in a muddle while Joan looked on with envy! The headmistress glanced at Charlotte, feeling quite displease