It had been quite some time since the Queen Dowager last saw Miranda, and the moment Miranda entered the palace, the Queen Dowager took her hand affectionately, inquiring warmly about her health. She also asked after the Earl of Croyso, and upon hearing that his condition was no longer serious, she revealed a visibly happy expression.“By the way,” she said, drawing Miranda’s slender wrist toward her, “I’ve never had the chance to ask—this bead on your wrist, is that the prize you won at the chess club before?”Miranda smiled and replied, “No, Your Majesty. This isn’t the prize. It’s a keepsake left behind by my mother. They just happen to look quite similar.”The rainbow glass bead Miranda had previously won had already been given to Reginald, so the one she now wore was a memento her father had preserved from her late mother.Just then, a voice rang out from the doorway:“A keepsake? May I take a look?”Miranda turned her head and saw—to her surprise—that His Majesty the King had en
“Many thanks to Her Majesty the Queen Dowager for her kindness. It has been days since I last saw her—I’ve missed Her Majesty dearly,” Miranda replied with a warm smile. There was no avoiding this summons, and truth be told, she had no intention of dodging it. She had always preferred to face challenges head-on. “Thank you for coming all this way. Please, take some refreshments in the side hall—I shall join you shortly.”The young eunuch dared not show the slightest arrogance in Miranda’s presence. He bowed deeply and said, “As you wish, Miss Miranda. I am in no rush.”Since it was that eunuch sent by the King, Miranda could only assume that tensions between the Queen Dowager and the Queen had reached a critical point—perhaps on the verge of erupting. The King must have chosen her to be the spark that set things in motion. Knowing this, Miranda prepared with utmost caution. As she changed into formal attire, she made every necessary arrangement, including bringing Molly along. Given t
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