As each finger was cruelly broken, the agony that surged through her body revealed the truth—her nanny and maids had betrayed her long ago. When her sister confessed to carrying her husband's child, Miranda realized that their prior kindness had been nothing but an act in a sinister play. When her gentle husband, a man she had once loved, directed his new lover to claim her life, she understood she had been nothing more than a stepping stone to his ascent to power... Twenty years in this mortal world, and she was merely a puppet manipulated by others. Yet, fate, in its mercy, offered her a second chance. This time, it was her turn to consign those deceivers to hell! Although she returned only to exact vengeance, how did she unwittingly capture the interest of a powerful magnate this time around? Watching the delicate yet resilient girl, the Duke turned to his subordinate and said “Remove the filth that marred her eyes. Feed it to the dogs."
View MoreWith a splash, the garden pond erupted, scattering water droplets into the air and startling the birds skimming its surface.
"Oh, the paragon of gentleness and virtue, the esteemed lady of the Dickson family, the dignified countess by imperial decree."
Selena stood on the bank, looking down with a smug, seductive smile at Miranda struggling in the water.
"Look at you now, how pitifully bedraggled you are—truly heartbreaking!"
"Why?" Miranda gasped as she surfaced, only for the murky pond water to rush into her mouth.
She had come despite her recent grief of losing her child, to comfort her sister, who had divorced.
Fearing that even the slightest glamour might offend, Miranda had chosen her attire with care—plain, understated, without a hint of gold.
Such thoughtfulness, such affection, she never imagined it would end with Selena pushing her into the water.
"Why?" Selena peered down at the disheveled Miranda, whose hair clung to her pale, desperate face.
A giggle broke from her lips, "Because you're in my way, and you must die! Without your death, how can I become the primary lady of the Dickson household, the honored countess by imperial decree? You were so pleased with yourself, weren't you? Coming here to gloat? Did you know why the Quincy family faced charges? Why I divorced?"
A shadow crossed Miranda's heart, yet she demanded, "Why?"
Her voice trembled, whether from the cold or the dread of the unknown.
"Because," Selena's smile widened, her delight palpable at finally seeing Miranda, her father's legitimate daughter, so utterly ruined.
"I am pregnant with the child of Sir Hans Dickson, your very husband, a knight who rose to nobility through your support!"
"That's a lie!"
Miranda's protest was cut short as water filled her mouth, her coughs turning her pale face crimson. Her husband had always treated her with respect—how could he...
"Don't believe it? What do you think this is?" Slowly, Selena pulled a delicate brocade pouch from her robe, and even more slowly, extracted a shimmering gold locket.
She savored every moment, her expressions vivid.
"You recognize this heirloom locket of the Dickson family, don't you? Given only to the principal wife. Guess why I have it? And this letter, surely you recognize this too?"
Thunderstruck, Miranda felt her mind blank.
How could she not recognize them? She had penned them herself, gifts for her husband, who had said, "Miranda, let me keep the locket for now. It's for the principal wife of the Dickson family, and seeing it reminds me of you. I'll keep it close in this letter, as if you're always with me."
His words echoed in her ears, yet here they were in another woman's hands.
And that woman was her own elder sister, born out of wedlock from her father’s mistress who later to marry her father!
"You—" Miranda's struggle ceased as she began to sink. Water rushed into her ears, nose, and mouth, crushing the air from her lungs. Then, as if possessed, she flailed madly, reaching desperately towards the surface for a sliver of hope.
Her hands found the pond's edge. Clinging for dear life, she managed to keep her head above water.
"Do you think you can replace me as the lady of the Dickson household just by killing me? Even if you were intimate with my husband, I remain his first wife. He knew I was visiting you today. If something happens to me here, do you think you can escape blame? Even your mother wouldn't spare you!" Miranda glared at Selena, her words resolute.
"And who do you think told you where I was, inviting you here?" Selena's confidence unwavered, her tone almost loving, as if whispering to a lover, "It was Sir Hans Dickson who wanted you dead. How else could I dare to act?"
With a step forward, she shifted her weight onto Miranda's hand, twisting her foot cruelly.
"What... what did you say?" Miranda stared in disbelief, not even feeling the pain in her hand.
Her husband... he wanted her dead?
She had been the legitimate daughter of the earl, and Hans Dickson was just a humble knight when they married.
She brought a dowry so substantial it required 124 carriers, and her conduct was exemplary—kind to her in-laws, attentive to her husband, overseeing the household.
In just four years, Hans Dickson rose from original knight to general even gain a Count, and their family's status soared.
But she never boasted of her contributions. When he was posted in the capital, she managed their affairs in the south, even painfully allowing him to take concubines to ease his life.
For four years, her care was meticulous, and now... he wanted her dead!
"Do you think Sir Hans Dickson truly loves you? He only valued your status as the earl daughter! Do you think the broken engagement with the Marquess William was a coincidence? As for my mother..." Selena's joy was sharp, her smile cutting like a knife.
"Your lowborn mother was killed by my mother's hand, do you think she truly cared for you? "Sacrificing flesh to cure disease, "ha, only a fool like you would believe such tales!"
Miranda's eyes narrowed, her lips almost bleeding from the pressure.
Her mother... killed by her stepmother!
The humiliating broken engagement orchestrated by her stepmother and Hans Dickson! Her life, completely destroyed by these two!
Then, a sudden clarity, Miranda looked up, her eyes burning with fire. "My child..."
"You're not completely foolish. Why would Sir Hans Dickson want your child? And why would I allow your child to overshadow mine?" Selena caressed her pregnant belly, her smile radiant.
"I had planned to eliminate you and your child during childbirth. Unfortunately, you survived, leaving me no choice but to intervene myself!"
She had destroyed her mother, ruined her life, killed her child!
Fury and pain swelled in Miranda's chest.
Suddenly, with strength born of desperation, she grabbed Selena's foot and pulled her into the water. If she was to die, she would not go alone.
"Ah—" Selena hadn't expected resistance. Panicked, she screamed for help.
"Miss, what's wrong? Miss!"
Just then, the anxious voices of Mrs. Wilson and the maids Nora and Greta reached them.
Miranda remembered she wasn't alone; her servants had come at the sound of the commotion.
A sliver of hope—she wouldn't die in vain. If she survived, she would not let her attackers go unpunished.
But then—
"Mrs. Wilson? Nora? Greta—" Her cries choked off as she watched the familiar figures forcibly pry her fingers from the ledge, even breaking four of them.
They then pushed her back into the water, comforting a distraught Selena...
Mrs. Wilson, who had nurtured Miranda from her childhood as her nanny, now revealed her true allegiance.
She asked no more questions.
Wasn't everything clear now? Mrs. Wilson, Nora, Greta—they served not her, but another.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha—"
Laughing in disbelief at the absurdity before her, Miranda's laughter grew louder, turning shrill with bitterness and hatred, a curse upon those who had betrayed her.
It was all false, all a deceit!
The nanny and maids who had cared for her since childhood, the step-mother who had loved her, the straightforward elder sister, the gentle husband—all an illusion!
Miranda, oh Miranda, how blind have you been? For twenty years, what delusion have you lived under?
Her laughter grew sharper, blood seeping from her orifices, spreading across her pale, furious face.
With eyes blazing like hellfire, she stared at those on the shore, slowly sinking into the water, her hair unfurling, blood spreading in the water—a scene of tragic intensity.
To her last breath, she stared shoreward.
She watched them closely, vowing to remember everything she heard, to never forget, to never forgive those responsible.
If there were another life...
Even if it meant descending to the netherworld, becoming a vengeful spirit forever barred from transcendence... she would drag them down to hell with her!
The setting sun cast a blood-red glow over the secluded courtyard...
The man in black twisted Miranda's arm with one hand and held a dagger across her with the other. He jerked his chin toward Molly, signaling her to open the door. His grip on the dagger only tightened.Molly glanced worriedly at her miss before stepping forward to open the door.Standing outside was the regal and elegant Queen Dowager, flanked by Margaret and others—Selena stood nearby.The moment the door opened and the Queen Dowager saw Miranda being held hostage, her expression changed drastically. She shouted, “Who are you? How dare you seize a noble lady? Release her at once!”“Oh, how dearly the Queen Dowager treasures this Miss Croyso,” the man in black sneered. “Good. If Your Grace doesn’t want anything to happen to her, then cooperate and help us get out of the palace. With your seal, I don’t suppose it’ll be difficult? Once we’re somewhere safe, we’ll let her go. How about that?”“Your Grace, you mustn’t!” Margaret cried urgently. “These assassins are after His Majesty’s lif
Hearing those words, Miranda finally let out a breath of relief.The fact that the King was willing to assign her tasks meant he had accepted her explanation.Of course, the King would not so easily trust her loyalty; she would still need to prove herself through her future actions. But at least, for someone like her—cornered by the Queen Mother with no way out—there was now a glimmer of hope ahead.As long as the King truly intended to oppose the Queen Mother, and as long as she could assist him in bringing her down, Miranda would be able to regain her freedom and no longer live under the Queen Mother's control."I understand. I will strictly follow Your Majesty's instructions," Miranda replied. "I used an excuse to leave earlier, and I cannot be away for too long. If there are no further orders, I shall take my leave."The King watched Miranda’s retreating figure in silence.Because of that familiar face, he couldn’t help but pay her a little more attention, though he did not show i
"Miranda?"The King, who had just risen to his feet, slowly sat back down, frowning slightly. After a moment, he said, "Let her come forward."Guided by Giles, Miranda approached gracefully and knelt in salute. "Greetings, Your Majesty."The King studied her closely, trying to guess her intentions. "You asked to see me. What is it you wish to say?""I..." Miranda hesitated, carefully choosing her words."Your Majesty's teachings remain engraved in my heart. Yet, in this world, eight or nine out of ten things do not go as one wishes," Miranda answered calmly, her head bowed. Slowly, she lifted her gaze and caught sight of a sheet of paper on the table. Daringly, she picked it up with a gentle motion. The King silently watched her actions."For a piece of paper," she said softly, "its greatest wish would be to remain pure and untouched — neither stained by ink nor creased by water. Yet once a hand reaches out and soaks it in ink or water, the paper has no strength to resist."She did no
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
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