<h4>Chapter 573: Destroy His Entire Work??</h4>
He leaned back, almostughing at his own frustration. "Yes. We’ll do just that. And when her nonsense bes too much... we’ll have excuses ready to skip it."
A few of the heads exchanged nces, nodding slowly as the weight of the n settled over the room.
"What about the nine o’clock meeting she demanded?" Christopher asked, his brow furrowing again just when he thought relief was in sight.
"There won’t be any meeting," Daniel said with a coldugh. "Who does she think she is, summoning all of us like that? Protocol requires His Highness’s permission, and she clearly didn’t bother. She was too busy... sucking on strawberries." His tone dripped with scorn.
Christopher frowned deeper.
"And if she asks why we didn’t show up?" Elin interjected, her voice calm but edged with warning. "That girl might look harmless, but she’s vicious in subtle ways. She could easily find a quiet method to punish us."
"Then make something up," Daniel snapped, waving it off like it was nothing. "Tell her the rules forbid meetings on that day of the week. Say we forgot to mention it yesterday since she was—" his lips curled in disdain—"too busy eating."
Rick shifted uneasily. "But... won’t she know we’re lying?"
"It’ll be fine," Daniel said sharply. "She doesn’t know the rules yet. There’s no way she’ll catch us in the lie."
One by one, the others nodded, some slower than others, until reluctant agreement spread across the room.
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After more than thirty minutes of walking, Nnenna finally arrived at Carl’s quarters. She stopped just short of the door, far enough that it didn’t open automatically.
Was he awake yet? What if I ruin his rest? she worried. Then she shook her head at herself. No matter. At worst, I’ll just check on him and watch him sleep.
With that thought, she stepped closer. The door slid open, and immediately she almost collided with Nanny.
"Good morning, Nanny," Nnenna greeted, her tone calm, though the older woman’s expression made it clear she wasn’t pleased to see her so early.
"Morning," Nanny replied curtly, her brow furrowing. "Why are you here at this hour?" Her voice carried patience, but also a hint of reproach.
"I’m here to see Carl. Obviously," Nnenna said, matter of fact.
"That won’t be possible," Nanny replied, shaking her head slowly. "He just had his breakfast and fell asleep. I’ll inform him you visited when he wakes."
"I see," Nnenna answered, lips pressed in a straight line, unsurprised by the resistance. Then, without missing a beat, she added, "I’m very quiet. I’ll just take a look."
And before Nanny could stop her, she started walking further inside.
Since Nanny couldn’t stop her, she reluctantly stepped aside, though her displeasure was clear. She followed Nnenna inside, her sharp gaze fixed on every movement.
Nnenna quietly sat by Carl’s bedside, cing her small hand gently on his wrist.
"What are you doing with his wrist?" Nanny asked, suspicioncing her tone, her voice turning cold.
At the sound, Nnenna looked up, her expression calm. She had thought she could get along with this woman, after all, Nanny had raised Carl from childhood.
But it was bing clear she was more of a hindrance than a help. Something would have to be done.
Nnenna ignored the hostility and finished her examination first, carefully noting the faint changes, the weakening pulse, the pallor, that hadn’t been there the day before.
He’s getting worse, she thought, her brows furrowing in worry. There’s no time to waste anymore.
Without another word, she stood up and walked out, not even bothering to acknowledge Nanny’s presence.
Nanny followed after her, visibly relieved that Nnenna was finally leaving.
But just outside the room, Nnenna stopped and waited, knowing the woman would step out soon. She was right. Momentster, the door slid open and Nanny emerged.
"Nanny," Nnenna called, her voice no longer soft.
"Yes, Your Highness," Nanny replied respectfully, pausing mid step.
Nnenna didn’t turn around at first. Her voice was steady, but sharper now.
"I had hoped we could work together for Carl’s sake. But it’s clear you don’t want that. Yesterday, you spoke about always wanting a daughter... about being happy that I was here. But that couldn’t have been the truth."
She finally turned, meeting the older woman’s eyes. "Because I’ve rarely seen anyone who mistrusts a person they call a daughter."
Nanny’s frown deepened. Her hands clutched tightly at the fabric of her clothes, as if the words struck something raw. For a moment, she seemed unsure how to respond.
Atst, she spoke, her voice low. "Your Highness... you’ve misunderstood. Everything I said yesterday was true. But I always thought my daughter would listen to me, and live by the rules."
Nnenna’s face remained unchanged, calm and unreadable. Inside, though, she had already decided, this wasn’t love. Not the right kind. This was conditional, maniptive, and she would not be swayed by it.
"I don’t hate you," Nanny added after a brief silence, "but I certainly don’t like how you show no regard for the rules that govern this castle."
She stopped there, only for her eyes to flick toward the servants lingering nearby. Straightening, she raised her voice just enough for them to hear.
"And if you don’t respect those rules, rules approved by His Highness himself..." She stepped forward, her tone sharp. "Then how much respect could you possibly have for His Highness? A king is his word, and his word is him. Disregard his word, and you disregard him."
Her eyes hardened, the fondness she had once shown gone like it had never existed. "I love His Highness like my own son. I will not stand by and let you destroy everything he’s worked for."
Nnenna froze at that line, her expression unreadable. Destroy everything Carl’s worked for?
How could breaking a few rules lead to the destruction of his entire life’s work?
But she didn’t ask. No, silence was better.