جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 530

However, Jonathan had made his meaning perfectly clear. Nathaniel's refusal to take the throne was his own decision. No one had urged him on or led him astray. And it had nothing whatsoever to do with Selena.Augustus fell silent again, his gaze fixed on Selena, who said nothing in return. When neither of them spoke, Jonathan began to feel cold sweat bead at his temples. An unease crept over him, so strong he barely dared to breathe.The room fell into a deathly silence.After an unknown stretch of time, Augustus suddenly said, "By agreeing to marry Nate, you've tied yourself to the Whitmore family in the king's eyes. Whatever the king does to my household today, he could very well use the same methods against yours in the future."He let out a sigh, his gaze drifting somewhere distant, but his expression remained cold and stern. "In this world, promises are the cheapest thing of all. What King Wayne once pledged, the current king will never honor. In an age where the strong devour

They had arrived at the palace. Even now, Nathaniel insisted on walking in properly through the main gates. Naturally, no one would stop him, so getting into the palace was quick and easy, even late at night.Nathaniel had come to see Isolde.When Edith saw them, she let out a soft sigh. "My lady has already retired as she isn't feeling well. Please return home. Whatever needs to be said can wait until another day. Your Highness, Lady Campbell, please go back.""I have something important to say to my mother. If she truly cannot see me, then I ask that you pass on a few words in my stead," Nathaniel replied calmly."Please speak, Your Highness," Edith said.Though she felt a bit helpless, her face remained calm and expressionless. She and her mistress were of one mind. What Isolde wished was Edith's wish as well. Though she cared for Selena and Nathaniel, if Isolde didn't wish to see them, Edith could only follow her will."Please tell my mother this. I know I was wrong. From thi

Isolde laughed, but there was no real warmth in her expression. Even Edith, who had served at her side for years, couldn't tell whether she was pleased or angry. The maid's breath caught slightly, a hint of unease on her face.However, Selena remained calm. Her face was composed, her manner quiet.Even her voice was gentle and unhurried when she said, "My lady, do you expect me to deceive him alongside you? Is that the sort of woman you would trust to marry him?"Isolde said nothing at first, then slowly, the faint curl of her lips faded. She was clearly displeased, as her future daughter-in-law had already made her priorities clear. Her own husband came first, and Isolde's opinions came second. Any mother-in-law would bristle at such a stance.Yet Selena's words left Isolde with no real argument. What could she say? Selena was right. If a woman couldn't even stand by her husband's side, what meaning did the marriage hold?"But do you know what matters most to women in the harem w

Sebastian shook his head frantically. "No, that's impossible. Sally, don't say things like that in front of Lena! Blackmoor Estate will always be her home, but she can't... she can't stay unmarried forever. Lena will... have to marry someday."But even knowing his sister getting married was inevitable, that it would happen sooner or later, why did his chest tighten so painfully now that the day had come? He felt an inexplicable ache, a sadness so sharp it made him want to cry. What was he supposed to do?"Don't tease him, Sally," Lilia said, standing up and walking toward her. "He's almost in tears and acting like he's about to marry off his daughter. My eyes have been itching lately. Can you see what's wrong?""Alright, let's go back to your room and have a look."Sally had been taking care of Lilia's treatment recently, always using the remedies Selena prepared. When it came to tending to Lilia, Sally was more skilled than anyone, even more so than Selena herself."Your Highness

Perhaps because Lilia couldn't see anything and everything around her was in darkness, the scene Sally described took shape in her mind with frightening clarity. Sally's voice echoed in her ears, every word landing as if it were actually happening to her."So close... so very close. Your hand feels wet... slippery. Something is about to touch you. Soft, slick, and carrying a chill that cuts to the bone..."Lilia flinched instinctively and hugged herself tightly. The stinging in her eyes had somehow vanished, replaced by panic, confusion, and unease."They're going to touch you!"Suddenly, something grabbed Lilia's arm, making her scream in terror."Sebastian!" She jolted upright in bed, curling in on herself as she kept crying out, "Sebastian! Sebastian, help me!"Sebastian's hurried footsteps sounded from outside the room. "Lils!"He didn't know what had happened. All he knew was that he had just stepped out after setting down his glass of medicine when he heard Lilia's cries f