The very next day after the Veil Festival, Gavin appeared before the city court to lodge a formal complaint. He claimed that his father, Steven, had never left Jasendale, and had certainly never arranged any marriage on his behalf. To support his claim, Gavin brought a portrait of his father and requested members of the Fitzroy family to verify the identity. Upon seeing the painting, they confirmed that the man who had previously claimed to be Steven was in fact an impostor. Gavin pleaded for the court to clear his father's name and restore his honor.Naturally, the case reignited public discussion surrounding the Fitzroy family's recent marriage scandal. Whispers that had only just begun to fade were once again on everyone’s lips.Lord Fitzroy, known for his upright character, openly admitted that the previous engagement involving Miss Jenny had been arranged by the family itself. He explained that the arrangement had been made precisely because they suspected the so-called Steven’s
Wensley had been waiting by the river for quite some time before Miranda finally arrived. Though her face was hidden behind a light veil, it did little to conceal the strange expression she wore.“Miranda, what happened? Why are you so late?” Wensley asked with genuine concern.Miranda clenched her jaw. “Ran into an idiot, that’s what,” she muttered, reflexively touching her still slightly swollen lips. The memory made her want to skin Reginald alive. Thankfully, they were outdoors and the veil helped conceal any visible signs—otherwise, someone would have surely noticed. “Never mind that,” she added quickly. “Let’s just release our flower garlands.”Along the riverbank, countless stalls were set up selling garlands of flowers specially crafted for this occasion. Miranda and Wensley, joined by Andrian and Noel, each selected their own and walked to the edge of the stone-paved embankment. One by one, they placed their garlands gently on the water and gave them a gentle push. The garlan
“Miranda, I’m sorry, I just…” Reginald’s brain had completely shut down. In a daze, he rubbed his forehead like the fool he was, trying to recall the sensation from just now. That kiss… the sweetness of it felt oddly familiar, like he had tasted it somewhere before…Seeing the way he stood there, clearly savoring the memory, Miranda felt her face burning. She dared not meet his gaze. She turned quickly, wanting to leave.Reginald rushed to block her path. “Miranda, I’m sorry—it was all my fault. Please don’t be angry…” At this point, he had reached the point of no return. There was no way he could let Miranda walk away again. This might be his only chance to lay everything out.Like a cat that had stolen a taste and now tried to behave sweetly, he softened his voice and said patiently, “Miranda, I admit, I was wrong to have your father feign illness. I put Lord Croyso in danger. But think about it—he’s your father. He loves you deeply. What could matter more to him than you? That’s wh
Miranda’s heart pounded wildly—had her words just now been too direct? She feared Reginald might catch on. All along, though he had feelings for her, he had never confessed, and she had pretended not to notice. Perhaps she harbored feelings too, but she had never shown them.After all, there were too many obstacles and distances between them to be easily crossed.But now, in a moment of panic, she had said something she shouldn’t have. What if Reginald picked up on it?“Why can’t I?” Reginald, caught in a whirl of panic and jealousy, heard Miranda’s words echo in his mind. He didn’t have time to reflect on them deeply—on the surface, they sounded as though she thought he wasn’t good enough. That stung, flipping over the jar of jealousy in his chest. Without thinking, he snapped, “Why can everyone else, but not me? How am I any worse than them? Why do you look down on me like this? What gives you the right?”Though it sounded like he was questioning her words, what he was actually aski
Reginald had always known it was a one-sided affection—his feelings for Miranda were his alone. As for how she felt about him...But still... did she really have to treat him so differently?Reginald knew he was in no position to compare himself to Miranda’s father, but the frustration swelling in his chest left him so flustered that the words slipped out before he could stop them.Miranda froze in place, stunned by his outburst. It took her a moment to gather herself before she murmured, “You’re right. It was my fault. I never should’ve dragged you into my mess, never should’ve let you take the risks meant for me... Even now, being here with me, alone in this room—if anyone were to see us, your reputation would suffer.”It felt as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. Her mind suddenly cleared with frightening sharpness, reverting to the detached state she once relied on to survive. She realized then how far she had let herself slip—how dangerously relaxed she'
“So, he rushed off to the countryside manor and, finding nothing amiss, realized he'd been tricked. Then he hears someone has taken over the top floor, and it all clicks—someone’s playing games with him,” Miranda said with a nod. “But what exactly did you write on that note? Why did he suddenly back down after reading it? Don’t tell me you revealed your real identity in writing?”Reginald let out a quiet laugh, entirely unbothered. “You don’t need to flash your pedigree to handle a man like that. I simply told him that while his wife didn’t actually visit his mistress this time, she very well might—if he insisted on making trouble for me. Once he weighed his options, he decided it was wiser to keep the peace. That little offer to cover the bill? That was him trying to stay on my good side… and make sure I keep my mouth shut.”Miranda considered this and chuckled. “So, he still has no idea who you really are?”“If I know enough to threaten him where it hurts, my name is hardly the poin