"We invited Your Highness here today because there''s something we''d like your help with"
The three of them sat down to eat. Once the meal was over. Tina quietly collected the dishes and went off to wash them. Eliza and Nn remained in the courtyard, seated beneath the soft shade of the vines
After Eliza recounted the day''s events, Nn understood the gist of it
"You suspect someone in the Stonor family drugged Dn?" he asked.
Eliza didn''t hesitate. "No need to suspect. Im sure of it"
Dn''s personality shift was too extreme-like he''d lost a chunk of his memory. Either he got kicked in the head or someone drugged him. And between the two, the second seemed far more likely. There was only one person capable of something like that.
"Anthony" Nn guessed. Eliza nodded.
"Very well. What would you like me to do? Pay another visit to the Stonor estate!" he asked
Eliza smiled, shaking her head. "No need. I just need you to help me stage a little scene."
His brow lifted. Seeing that she had already nned it out, he didn''t press further. "All right. When, where, and what role do I y
"Tomorrow, At the Imperial Pce, Eliza said with a quiet smile. "Ever since being granted the title of Holy Lady. I''ve yet to officially pay respects to the Empress Dowager. It''s long overdue, I''d like you to apany me for the visit."
"It would be my honor"
"Father Father Matthew''s shout broke the morning peace. Gabriel was supposed to be enjoying a rare day off, but instead he found himself startled by the sound of his son bursting into the study, breathless and frantic
Gabriel frowned. "What''s got you shouting so early!"
Matthew, panting from the rush, blurted out. "It''s Eliza! She just went into the pce-with Prince Regent Nn!"
Gabriel''s expression darkened instantly. "She went to the pce! With Nn
Matthew nodded. "I saw it myself. I went to Saint Grace Nunnery this morning, and I arrived just in time to see Eliza getting into a carriage sent by the Prince Regent. He escorted her all the way into the pce
Gabriel''s face turned stone cold.
"Maybe. Matthew hesitated. "Maybe she''s finally agreed to ask the King to release Sophie?"
Gabriel scoffed "Don''t be naive. If she had really agreed, she wouldn''t have dragged Nn into it. That man''s involvement never means anything good"
Whatever Eliza was nning, it couldn''t be that simple.
Unfortunately, by the time he arrived, Eliza was already inside-with the Empress Dowager.
Nn had clearance to enter the inner pce. Gabriel did not. Even as the Duke of Mowbay, he had no authority to step
JOL 12 API
into the Empress Dowager''s domain without permission.
Infuriated and frustrated, Gabriel stormed back out and sent for Adeline,
demanding she go into the pce on his behalf.
By the time Adeline finally arrived at the Benevolent Pce, Eliza was already seated beside the Empress Dowager, their conversation flowing easily as they pored over an ancient Bible together.
"So that''s the true meaning behind this passage," the Empress Dowager said with delight. Td always thought this part was too obscure, but your exnation brings such rity. No wonder the King chose you."
The Dowager''s face radiated fondness, her tone full of praise. Adeline''s heart dropped instantly.
This wouldn''t do. If the Empress Dowager began to favor Eliza, what ce would she have left in court?
Desperation took over. She stepped forward with uncharacteristic volume. "Greetings, Your Majesty. I, your humble servant,e to pay my respects,”
The sharpness of her voice broke the tranquil atmosphere between Eliza and the Empress Dowager like ss shattering.
Eliza looked up calmly, unsurprised to see her
The Empress Dowager''s sanile faded. Her brow furrowed ever so slightly as she set down the Bible. "Adeline? What brings you to the pce today?"
Adeline forced a sweet, gracious smile. "I''ve been so busytely disciplining that disobedient son of mine, Ipletely forgot toe visit Your Majesty. But now that I finally had the time, I rushed over immediately. I never expected to find Eliza here as well. What a coincidence.
She nced at Eliza and beamed with feigned warmth.
Eliza mirrored her smile. "A coincidence? That''s odd. I heard Sophie''s been under the Empress Dowager''s care for days. Surely you knew I''d being?"
Adeline clenched her jaw, forcing her expression to remain kind. "Of course I knew Sophie was here. I was referring to you. You are still my dear niece, after all"
Before Eliza could respond, the Empress Dowager interjected, her voiceced with subtle disapproval. "Adeline, surely you''ve made a mistake?"
Adeline blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"Holy Lady Eliza has already taken her vows, hasn''t she? Gabriel even had her removed from the Stonor family records. Your of all people should know that."
Adeline''s expression froze. "O-Of course I know," she stammered. "Bur blood ties are blood ties. Even if Eliza no longer wishes to recognize me as her aunt, I still acknowledge her as my niece."
The words sounded almost sincere-if you didn''t know better.
Eliza''s tone remained cool. "Funny. When you were outside Saint Grace Nunnery screaming abuse at me, I don''t recall you saying anything about family then.”
The Empress Dowager raised an elegant brow, her expression now fully that of an amused spectator enjoying the drama unfold.
Adeline''s smile faltered. She hadn''t expected Eliza to call her out so directly-in front of the Empress Dowager, no less.
Her voice hardened slightly. "You were being outrageous at the time. I had to discipline you, for your father''s sake. It was a misunderstanding, that''s all Do you really intend to hold a grudge?"
10:44 Sat, 19 Apr
Eliza said nothing. Her silence was answer enough
The Empress Dowager chuckled lightly, finally breaking the tension "Well, if Adeline came to visit her niece, then try all means, let someone escort her.
Her tone was offhand, her meaning unmistakable. No one here believed for a second that Adeline hade to visit her. Everyone knew why both women were really here today-one came with confidence, the other hidden behind empty pleasantries.