Mary had just warned her yesterday to be wary of parasites, and now someone was already
already trying to put her
to put her in her ce.
If it weren''t for the magical water sharpening her vision, she might havepletely missed the bug.
The young pce maid froze, then leaned closer to inspect the stool. After a careful look, she finally spotted the small ck bug
She immediately bowed as she pleaded, "Your Grace, I''ve failed in my duties. Please punish me.
The pce parties were ki
known for their obsessive attention to cleanliness. Not ev
even a speck of dust was allowed, let alone a bug.
And yet, there was a bug on the Holy Lady''s seat. If it had been someone with a harsher temper, these maids might have been executed.
The maid''s head remained bowed as she started to tremble, feeling terrified.
"Clean this up. You''ll stay by my sideter," Eliza said.
Yes.
Since they''re trying to put me in my ce, I''ll y along, Eliza thought.
Eliza nced at the maid. After having her clean up the area, Eliza didn''t dismiss her.
Eliza settled back into her seat, reached under the table, and released a small ck spider.
This spider, nurtured with magical water and poison, wasn''t an insect but venom. Since they wanted a contest, she''d dly see whose poison was deadlier.
Before long, most of the expected guests had arrived, including those from the Stonor family.
Eliza lifted her gaze slightly and, as expected, spotted Sophie seated beside Gabriel across the table. The only ones absent were Matthew and Anthony.
Sophie looked up and met her eyes. Their gazes shed in a silent battle of wills.
Momentster, Sophie was struck by a sudden thought. She shot Eliza a sharp re before quickly looking
ing away
with a frowIL
Sitting quietly and obediently next to Gabriel, Sophie seemed unusually well- behaved, almost out of character.
Just as Eliza found this odd, someone suddenly took the empty seat beside her.
The strong presence and familiar aura made her instinctively turn her head.
Sure enough, it was Nn.
"When did you get here?" she asked.
He replied. "Just a little while ago. Why didn''t you wait for me so we coulde together?"
Eliza was puzzled. "We weren''t even heading in the same direction.
"It was just a detour of two streets. How is that not the same direction?" Nn countered, unwilling to let it go.
Eliza sighed in resignation. Fine, fine Your Highness, how about we head back together after the party? That should be on the way. right?"
"No" Nri replied.
Elza gave him a confused look.
mischievous grin. Nn quipped. Tmi afraid if people see me walking with Serenity, they''ll start gossiping about us. 1 wouldn''t be good, would it?"
That
Eliza''s resignation turned into speechlessness. "Yet, you sull had the nerve to ask me to want for you earlier?"
Nn simply chuckled, saying nothing more.
6.26 PM
Eliza couldn''t be bothered with him anymore.
Almost as soon as their brief exchange ended, loud announcements echoed from outside the hall. The king is here! The Empress Dowager is here!"
Eliza rose along with the crowd and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Greetings, Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager!"
"Everyone, please sit." King Magnus entered the grand hall with a smile, apanied by the Empress Dowager.
Once seated, King Magnus waved his hand. "Alright. I invited everyone to celebrate First Moon Day today. Let''s all rx and enjoy ourselves. Eat, drink, and enjoy the performances.
With King Magnus''s words, the ministers naturally eased up.
Delicious dishes and fine wine were served, while musicians and dancers took their ces.
For a moment, the hall was filled withughter and festive cheer.
Soon, one minister after another stood up, presenting their gifts to the king
From antique paintings to emeralds and gold artifacts, there were endless varieties.
Finally, when it was the senior officials'' turn, the item that Eliza had been waiting for made its debut.
However, she didn''t expect the speaker to be Fletcher, the Chancellor.
Fletcher said. “Your Majesty, I havee today to present a rare treasure to you." "Fletcher, what did you bring us today?" King Magnus asked.
Fletcher stepped forward, holding an intricately carved wooden box. His excitement was evident as he said, "Your Majesty, this treasure came into my possession by sheer chance not long ago. At first, I couldn''t believe it myself. It took several renowned physicians to confirm its authenticity. And now, I brought it here to present to Your Majesty."
After building up the suspense for the king and everyone else, Fletcher carefully opened the box.
"This, Your Majesty, is the Snow Lotus, a rare
elixir
Gasps rippled through the hall at the mention of the Snow Lotus
The Snow Lotus?"
"Is it the Snow Lotus, the life-saving elixir that grows only on the high mountains and is almost impossible to find?"
To think that Fletcher has been hiding something this extraordinary all along."
Even the Empress Dowager''s eyes were glinting with curiosity, let alone the king''s. She asked, "Is this truly the Snow Lotus
Inside the boxy a pristine white lotus, its petals shimmering like freshly fallen snow, untouched and wless. It was exactly the same a the Snow Lotus described in books
"Who knows if it''s real or not?"
"Since he dares to offer it to the king, it can''t be fake.
"Humph, people say the Snow Lotus is incredibly rare. Has anyone here actually seen one?"
Thave"
As the court buzzed with spection, a graceful figure rose from beside Gabriel Sophie''s face was hidden behind a veil
Ever since the king had humiliated her, calling her too stupid to be his queen, she''d been nuising a grudge.
Now, back in the pce, she couldn''t even show her face in public.
Chiquer an
The king''s mocking words about Joe at st sight hat waled her fate. Ten though she
could''t be his queen, she was forced to hide behind the white veil
But fortunately, the white sed cum eatest the fury Twisting her framures beca
had
Air swallowed her anger remembering the words of the mysterious resto fu
approached her days ago. No matter how much Latred she felt the forel
les was a best served cold
She would have her engrance, soner orter
田