āđāļāđāļēāļŠāļđāđāļĢāļ°āļāļāđāļāļĢāđ
Chapter 256: Entering the Palace, Serving Her Majesty
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ:
2025-04-13 17:47:42
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Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 257: Donât Go to The Gazebo
Margaret stepped forward to knead the Queen Dowagerâs shoulders and legs as she spoke.âIn my opinion, Miss Selena lacks both the steadiness and cleverness of Miss Miranda. But she has one advantageâsheâs eager to align herself with you. I think Your Majesty should consider cultivating her. Sheâs not without potential.âThe Queen Dowager hummed thoughtfully. âYouâre rightâhaving that eagerness is a good start. With a little polishing, she could become useful.âThen her gaze flickered as she thought of Miranda.âI wasnât wrong about that girl. Miranda really is a fine piece of jadeâquiet, cleverâĶ I wouldnât be surprised if sheâs already seen through what Iâm doing. She likely knows Iâve been testing her.âMargaretâs expression shifted. âYou think sheâs figured it out? Then what should we do?âThe Queen Dowager said coldly. âWhat can she do about it? If I force her into the role of the Kingâs mistress, then unless she has a death wish, sheâll climb just the same.ââSheâs clever, yesâbut
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-14Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 258
Miranda recognized it at onceâit was Reginaldâs handwriting. Her heart skipped a beat.Since Reginald had spoken in such terms, there must be something wrong with the gazebo. It would be wiser not to go. As she pondered, a sudden idea struck her. She feigned having been bumped in the waist, and began to slowly limp toward the bend in the path. Sure enough, Selena and the palace maid who had been leading the way were nowhere in sight. Given the maidâs indifferent attitude toward her, it was unlikely she would come back to look for her. This was the perfect opportunity to shake them off and avoid going to the gazebo.Still, a convincing act required thoroughness. Miranda glanced around and found a servant. She described Selena and the leading maid to him, explaining that she'd been bumped in the waist and slowed down, which was why she lost them after turning a corner. Following the servantâs directions, she made a show of heading after them. Once out of sight, she deliberately turned i
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-15Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 259: The Gazebo Incident
Before entering the palace, Miranda had once asked Molly about the events surrounding her motherâs death. Molly had said that it all began with some kind of incident involving Miranda herself. Could it have been her sudden illness? Her father, perhaps out of concern for her young age, had merely told her that her mother had passed from illness, never elaborating. After all she had been through in her past life, Miranda was certainâher stepmother had been behind her motherâs death. That much was undeniable. But how had she done it? If Miranda could uncover the truth, Sophie would be utterly ruined.Despite her inner thoughts, Miranda wore a gentle smile. âThe royal physicianâs skills are indeed remarkable.âJust as the physician was taking his leave, the maid who had led Miranda and Selena earlier came running in, breathless and pale.âYour Majesty the Queen Dowager, something terrible has happened! Lady Selena ran into Her Majesty the Queen over by the gazebo and, for some reason, of
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-17Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 260: Soft Words, Sharpened Claws
Since the king had made his decision, the matter was settled. The queen cast one final glance at Selena, then looked over at Miranda before curtseying to the Queen Dowager and taking her leave.The Queen Dowager had Selena helped to her feet and brought back to her own palace. There, she offered soothing salves for the bruises, showering Selena with gentle concern and comfort.Already full of grievance, Selena was moved by such kindness, and her sorrow burst forth. She broke into tears, crying uncontrollably in the Queen Dowagerâs arms.The Queen Dowager lightly patted her shoulder, letting her cry it out.It took some time before Selena calmed down. She slowly recounted the events.After she and Miranda parted ways, the guiding maid noticed Miranda had gone missing and panicked. After all, she had been entrusted with Miranda's care, and if something happened, she would surely be punished. So she asked Selena to wait at the gazebo while she went to look for Miranda.Selena sat for a w
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-18Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 261: The True Intention
The three of them chatted for a while longer.More precisely, it was Selena and the Queen Dowager laughing cheerfully together like close kin, while Miranda seemed to be silently lost in thought, her mind elsewhere.The Queen Dowager humored Selena while occasionally casting a glance at Miranda, a knowing smile flickering in her eyes.Although today's "accident" had originally been prepared for Miranda and ended up landing on Selena by chance, the message it conveyedâand all that needed to be saidâhad already been delivered through Selena.If Miranda was truly clever, she should understand what path she needed to take from now on.Having just entered the palace and experienced such an event, the Queen Dowager, showing concern for the girlsâ fatigue, did not keep them much longer and arranged for them to rest.As the two left together, Miranda could tell from Selenaâs expression that she had likely already taken the Queen Dowager to heartâas someone she could rely on completely.Mirand
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-19Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 262: No Room to Retreat
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
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-20Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 263: You MeanâĶ The King?!
âMiranda, what do you intend to do?â he asked cautiously, probing her thoughts.Miranda didnât answer directly. Instead, she returned the question, âWhat do you think I should do, Lord Reginald?ââJust as you said, the Queen Dowager is ruthless and cunning. She doesnât care if she destroys you in the process. So, Miranda, donât confront her head-on. Evade her, pretend even, let her think sheâs wonâjust donât suffer for nothing!â That was the real reason Reginald had come todayâto warn her. Earlier, heâd 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 heâd already passed along a warning through a young eunuch, he had still worried something might go wrong. Thatâs 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
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-21Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 264: No Path Is Without Danger
âAlthough His Majesty shows great respect and deference to the Queen Dowager, and her position in the palace seems untouchable,â Miranda said firmly, âif their relationship were truly as unshakable as it appears, then why would she need to use me as a pawn? That alone tells meâthey donât fully trust each other. Iâm convinced thereâs a rift between them.âHer eyes gleamed with quiet intelligence.âBesides, the Queen Dowager is from House Blackwell. So is the Queen. If Prince Zachary ascends the throne, the maternal familyâs power will be overwhelming. Lord Reginald, tell meâcould the King possibly feel at ease with that? Donât you think he might also want to bring down the Queen Dowager and the Blackwell family?âIf the answer to all of those questions was yesâthen that was her opportunity.Especially when she recalled that moment at the Croyso estateâhow the King, upon first seeing her, had lost his composure and shattered his teacup. Yet in the Queen Dowagerâs hall, he had greeted he
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-22
āļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ
Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 271: The Breakout
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 someoneânow 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 manâs saber.âCalm down! The commander said this woman might still be useful. Donât go against his word!âBut before his words had even finished, the situation changed in a flash.The masked man abruptly twisted his blade, slashing toward the burly warriorâs neck with lightning speed. The angle was vicious and suddenânearly 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 himselfâhe was still in stunned disbelief even as the blade sliced across his
Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 270: Miranda Taken Hostage
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 othersâSelena stood nearby.The moment the door opened and the Queen Dowager saw Miranda being held hostage, her expression changed drastically. She shouted, âWho are you? How dare you seize a noble lady? Release her at once!ââOh, how dearly the Queen Dowager treasures this Miss Croyso,â the man in black sneered. âGood. If Your Grace doesnât want anything to happen to her, then cooperate and help us get out of the palace. With your seal, I donât suppose itâll be difficult? Once weâre somewhere safe, weâll let her go. How about that?ââYour Grace, you mustnât!â Margaret cried urgently. âThese assassins are after His Majestyâs lif
Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 269: Assassins
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 herâcornered by the Queen Mother with no way outâthere 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 Mirandaâs retreating figure in silence.Because of that familiar face, he couldnât help but pay her a little more attention, though he did not show i
Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 268: King's Trust
"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 â 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
Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 267: Playing Chess with the King
That day, the King came to pay his respects at the Queen Dowagerâs palace. The Queen Dowager ordered tea to be served.A young lady stepped forward, dressed in a gown of pale blue silkâthe 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 dayâsoothing 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, âI heard Miss Miranda fell ill shortly after entering the palace, and has be
Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 266
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 figuresâso why was it that when Reginald liked her, he remained so silent? So composed? Why hadnât 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 momentâwhen he stumbled into her chambers feverish and disorientedâhe never once made a move. He didnât even try to interfere with the betrothal between the Croyso family and Sheffield.Werenât people like them always forceful and self-indulgent in love and power alike? And Reginald, with his flamboyant and unrestrained natureâwhy had he acted so differently?Her head throbbed. With a shake, she tried to banish the thoughts. There was a clear disparity in s
Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 265: How Could He Possibly Like Her
In that faintly charged, ambiguous atmosphere, Reginaldâs 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 pullâand 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 moonâonly 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. Hansâs sweet lies after she married with himâand her naÃŊve, wholehearte
Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 264: No Path Is Without Danger
âAlthough His Majesty shows great respect and deference to the Queen Dowager, and her position in the palace seems untouchable,â Miranda said firmly, âif their relationship were truly as unshakable as it appears, then why would she need to use me as a pawn? That alone tells meâthey donât fully trust each other. Iâm convinced thereâs a rift between them.âHer eyes gleamed with quiet intelligence.âBesides, the Queen Dowager is from House Blackwell. So is the Queen. If Prince Zachary ascends the throne, the maternal familyâs power will be overwhelming. Lord Reginald, tell meâcould the King possibly feel at ease with that? Donât you think he might also want to bring down the Queen Dowager and the Blackwell family?âIf the answer to all of those questions was yesâthen that was her opportunity.Especially when she recalled that moment at the Croyso estateâhow the King, upon first seeing her, had lost his composure and shattered his teacup. Yet in the Queen Dowagerâs hall, he had greeted he
Revenge of the Betrayed: The Domineering Duke Falls for Me   Chapter 263: You MeanâĶ The King?!
âMiranda, what do you intend to do?â he asked cautiously, probing her thoughts.Miranda didnât answer directly. Instead, she returned the question, âWhat do you think I should do, Lord Reginald?ââJust as you said, the Queen Dowager is ruthless and cunning. She doesnât care if she destroys you in the process. So, Miranda, donât confront her head-on. Evade her, pretend even, let her think sheâs wonâjust donât suffer for nothing!â That was the real reason Reginald had come todayâto warn her. Earlier, heâd 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 heâd already passed along a warning through a young eunuch, he had still worried something might go wrong. Thatâs 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
