"Ah, I haven't properly introduced Miss Miranda and Brandon, have I?" Zachar chuckled, "Actually, the two of you might have already met. I believe Brandon recognized Miss Miranda, but Miss Miranda might not have recognized Brandon, am I right? Haha, Miss Miranda, Brandon here is the head of the chess club. He's been undefeated for years, but it seems he finally met his match with you. Brandon, are you willing to admit defeat?"Brandon bowed slightly and said calmly, "I admit it."Miranda was momentarily taken aback. Brandon is the head of the chess club?"It was just because the head of the club was kind enough to go easy on me," Miranda quickly added, genuinely.Brandon shook his head and replied, "I never go easy on anyone."Reginald, who clearly knew of Brandon’s position as head of the chess club, wasn't surprised at all. He smiled as he looked around at the group and then suddenly spoke, "Since Prince Zachar is introducing Miss Miranda to everyone, why stop halfway? Let me fill i
"Your Highness Zachary, your tactic of playing the thief to catch the thief is quite clever. You must have predicted that, with my unruly nature, if I were questioned by a mere merchant, I’d be irritated and refuse to respond. That way, your scheme would fall perfectly into place. I imagine that's why you pushed Mr. Brandon so hard to confront me. Your Highness, have I got it right?"As Reginald exposed the plot, Zachary’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger.Brandon, meanwhile, furrowed his brows, deep in thought, his expression heavy with doubt.“Judging by your expression, Your Highness, I’d say I hit the mark. But you’ve gone about this all wrong.” Reginald shook his head, his displeasure obvious. Just when the crowd expected him to accuse Zachary of framing him, he surprised them by saying, “If you wanted to frame me, you should have let me know in advance. That way, I could’ve played along. After all, with my reputation, what’s one more murder? We’ve known each ot
As Miranda was called upon, she had no choice but to turn her head, pretending she hadn't heard their previous conversation. Feigning confusion, she said, "Sorry, I was talking to Miss Martha and didn’t quite catch what you were saying. Something about dealing with someone? A villain, perhaps? I remember my mother always said, ‘One should never be petty or overly calculating, or else it would be quite unbecoming!’" She nodded vigorously, as if to add weight to her words.It would be quite unbecoming? Reginald's eyes slowly narrowed, gleaming with a sharp light. Mi-ran-da!"Well then, Your Highness Zachary, Mr. Brandon, I’ve said all I need to say. Whether you believe it or not is up to you," Reginald added.Brandon lowered his gaze, lost in thought. Although the Duke of Reginald had acted frivolously before, but a person's trustworthiness wasn’t only about their attitude."Oh, that reminds me, I'm quite curious about something," Reginald said, tapping his forehead. "His Highness Zacha
Zachary was inwardly anxious but maintained a calm façade as he said, "Lord Reginald, you misunderstand. I have always despised traitors, so when you mentioned a spy among my people, I couldn't help but react. But I assure you, this assassination attempt has nothing to do with me."This time, Reginald merely smiled slightly without further argument, turning his gaze toward Brandon with an amused look.Brandon was deep in thought, his expression shifting subtly. After a long pause, he finally composed himself, cupped his hands, and said, "Duke Reginald, you must be joking. His Highness Zachary is known for his generosity and noble character. I have long shared a close relationship with him, and I trust that he would never act in such a way."Hearing this, Zachary let out a quiet sigh of relief."Oh?" Reginald looked at him with a faint smile. "Perhaps in the past, no. After all, he has benefited greatly from your support each year. But things are different now. Lord Ivan has been dispa
The two nobles were using Martha as a pawn in their power struggle, clearly aware that she was Brandon's weak spot. If he upset either one of them, Martha would be in grave danger.His Highness Zachary’s request for money was urgent, and Brandon couldn’t refuse it; otherwise, Zachary wouldn’t spare Martha.As for Duke Reginald’s request for funds, Brandon absolutely couldn’t agree to it in front of Zachary. Doing so would be like playing both sides, making each party push him harder. Neither would protect him; instead, they’d both exploit him. Therefore, he had to refuse Reginald outright. However, Reginald was unpredictable—though his words might seem casual, there was no telling whether he would truly threaten Martha. Brandon needed to find a way to smooth things over privately. The problem was that Reginald's unpredictable nature even made him difficult for the king to handle. Who could possibly persuade him not to cause trouble for Martha?Brandon pondered nervously and suddenly r
Zachary, unaware of the finer details, thought Brandon was just giving tips on how to care for Martha because of her health. He nodded at Miranda and left with a smile. Brandon gently stroked Martha’s hair and said, “You must be tired. Go rest early. I need to speak with Miss Miranda.”Martha, the most innocent in the hall, was the only one who didn’t notice the tense talks. She had no idea about the trouble she had caused. Though she didn’t want to leave, she nodded and obeyed.Soon, only Brandon and Miranda were left. Brandon sighed and spoke directly, “Miss Miranda, I think you heard the earlier talk. Martha is in danger, and I need your help. Could you speak to Duke Reginald for her?”Miranda hesitated. She wasn’t Martha, and the tense talks earlier had not escaped her. She liked Martha’s kind and gentle nature and didn’t want her caught in the crossfire. But—“Mr. Brandon, I want to help, but I’ve only met the Duke a few times. I doubt I can sway him.”Reginald was driven by whims
As Miranda and her companions approached the door to the northern room, they found a shadow guard waiting there. He bowed respectfully and said, "Miss Miranda, the lord is waiting for you on the balcony. Only one may go. The rest, please wait here.""Thank you for letting me know." Miranda smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.After reaching the balcony, the guard opened the door for her to enter and then closed it behind her.Knowing she would once again face the unpredictable Duke Reginald alone, Miranda couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. She took a deep breath and stepped forward.Reginald sat casually on the balcony railing, his handsome features glowing in the moonlight. "Miranda, you're not here to thank me. Let me guess—Brandon wants you to plead for him and Martha, offering concessions or maybe a threat if I push too hard. Am I right?""…" Before Miranda could speak, he had guessed everything!Momentarily speechless, Miranda didn’t know how to respond.Seeing her stunned expr
Noticing that Miranda was still trembling slightly, Reginald felt his heart soften further and said gently, "Alright, it’s my fault. I’m used to high places. Let me help you down, okay?"So, even this fierce little kitten has her moments of trembling fear.Right now, Miranda looked like a curled-up ball of fluff, adorably soft.Reginald helped her down from the balcony railing, and the two sat on the ground. "There, sitting here, you won’t slip. Don’t be afraid, it’s fine, okay?"With her legs still a bit shaky, Miranda finally breathed a small sigh of relief after sitting down.She had a secret no one knew—she was afraid of heights. Whenever she found herself in high places, she was fine as long as she focused on the surroundings. But the moment she looked down and realized how far from the ground she was, dizziness and vertigo would set in, making her feel like she could fall at any moment.Once she had settled, Miranda became aware of how close she was sitting to Reginald and quick
Seeing the man's attire, the burly warrior beside him immediately realized that this must be one of their brothers who had gone to the palace to assassinate someone—now back and enraged, looking for a fight. But upon hearing the words "His Highness is dead," his heart was struck with unspeakable shock, his mind going blank for a moment.Stepping forward, he shielded Miranda and raised his sword to block the masked man’s saber.“Calm down! The commander said this woman might still be useful. Don’t go against his word!”But before his words had even finished, the situation changed in a flash.The masked man abruptly twisted his blade, slashing toward the burly warrior’s neck with lightning speed. The angle was vicious and sudden—nearly impossible to guard against.The burly man had assumed this was merely a furious comrade; it never occurred to him that he would suddenly turn his blade on him. Let alone defend himself—he was still in stunned disbelief even as the blade sliced across his
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