“Molly, I have something I want to ask you—it’s about my mother!”Finding a moment, Miranda spoke to Molly, her expression very serious, even tinged with anxiety. “Tell me, when did you start following my mother? And for how long?”Although she found it a little strange that Miss Miranda would suddenly ask about Lady Anna, Molly still answered truthfully. “When I was four years old, my parents and all my relatives died from the plague. I also caught the plague, but fortunately Lady Anna happened to pass by and saved me. After learning that I had no family left, she pitied me and let me follow her, teaching me to recognize and identify medicines. Later, Lady Anna passed on all her medical skills to me so that I could study medicine well. Counting it up, I followed Lady Anna for six years. When she passed away, I was only ten. My lady, what’s wrong? Has something happened?”Molly had followed her mother since the age of four—that meant, when she started following her mother, her mother
When Miranda returned to the Queen Dowager’s palace, the Queen Dowager had already come back and naturally heard the entire account from the young eunuch. Miranda stepped forward to show her the bead she had just received. Seeing that the King had gifted Miranda something so rare and precious—clearly a sign of favor—the Queen Dowager was delighted. After exchanging a few light remarks, she noticed the weariness in Miranda’s expression and allowed her to retire to her chambers to rest.As Miranda walked down the palace corridor, she ran into the Mistress of the Lark Hall. The two nodded politely to each other before passing by without a word.Back in their room, both Miranda and Molly let out a breath of relief. The tense atmosphere of the royal palace had returned the moment they stepped back inside.“That Lady Lark…” Molly muttered while pouring tea, her brows slightly furrowed. “There’s something about her that doesn’t sit right with me.”Miranda paused. “What do you mean?”“I can’t
Miranda had no choice but to follow the King to the royal treasury. As the inner chamber doors opened, she was instantly greeted by a dazzling display of brilliance and splendor. This was the treasury of a kingdom—filled to the brim with rare and extraordinary treasures of every kind. Even someone as well-versed as Miranda found herself at a loss for names; the array of rare jewels and artifacts was dazzling, a sea of glittering light that threatened to overwhelm the senses.She dared not linger long, nor did she wish to draw attention by selecting something too eye-catching. Her eyes quickly landed on a small, dark, carved bead near the entrance—utterly inconspicuous amidst the brilliance. Without hesitation, she picked it up and stepped back out. Seeing that the King still stood where he was, she approached and presented the bead. “Your Majesty, I’ve chosen this one.”The King, familiar with the layout of the treasury, knew exactly where the bead had been and instantly guessed her i
After the King and Miranda had started conversing smoothly, the Queen Dowager quietly withdrew with her maids, leaving the room to the two of them for a more personal conversation.The King paused for a moment, then suddenly shifted the topic. “I heard that for the past ten years, it was your stepmother who managed House Croyso, and just recently, your father placed her under house arrest. It seems that though you're still young, you've already weathered quite a few storms. No wonder you're so perceptive now—must’ve endured your share of hardship, haven’t you?”At the mention of Sophie, a flurry of images surged through Miranda’s mind. She bit her lip, and after a long silence, finally replied, “Yes.”That single word carried with it an ocean of emotion—deep, turbulent, overwhelming. The King, keen as ever, sensed the weight behind it. He gave a slight nod. “I understand.”He cast a glance at the young eunuch beside him, who returned a reassuring look and gave a small nod. The King th
However, the King thought to himself, Miranda’s overly keen sensitivity made her come across as distant and aloof—as if she were deliberately drawing a boundary between them. That in itself was a statement, a clear refusal to allow even the faintest trace of ambiguity to form between the two of them. This child…The King suddenly smiled faintly again. Perhaps it was just the nature of emperors to be suspicious, but this girl—her mind seemed even more guarded and intricate than his own. A gentle trace of pity rose in his heart. He handed the rainbow glass bead back to her and said in a calm tone, “Wear it. You think too much, and that consumes a great deal of mental energy. To be so burdened at such a young age will eventually take a toll on your vitality. This rainbow glass bead has a nurturing effect—it’ll do you good to keep it close.”Miranda received the bead with both hands and curtsied deeply. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”As the King gazed at Miranda’s lowered eyes and demure expr
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