Chapter 246
ཁ།
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By the time Margaery finished washing up, it was already midnight. She was a woman of the inner quarters and had missed her prime. For a sixteen–year–old like her, taking up martial training was no different from a descent into hell.
When she returned, her whole body felt like bones had been run over by a carriage, covered in bruises from head to toe. But for someone who had died once, this was a mere trifle.
When she was just about to go to bed, outside the door came Adam’s astonished voice, “Greetings, Your Highness Princess Grace.”
Grace was the daughter of Princess Elizabeth from the late King’s era. The late King favored her and bestowed upon her the title “Grace.” All the outsiders addressed her “Princess Grace.”
Grace nodded, glanced at the inn’s dilapidated wooden door, and asked, “Is Princess of Glowsend inside?” Some hidden matters were incomprehensible to others, but she understood them.
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Her title was “Grace,” which marked her as a girl of outstanding beauty, but Margaery’s title was “Glowsend.” It was a radiant sun, the focus of all. Sunlight flooded the city, and all under heaven would receive her grace.
Favor and status; everything was encapsulated in that word, vividly expressed. However, at this moment, that was not of great importance because Margaery also had another title, Star of Fortune. Therefore, Grace spoke with exceptional courtesy.
Adam turned and asked through the door, “Miss Wallen, Princess Grace is here.”
Margaery had no choice but to step forward and open the door. “Your Highness, please come in,” she said and then performed a respectful bow.
Grace nodded, entered the room, took a seat casually, and sized up the young girl, who was only sixteen.
She saw that her forehead was broad and full, radiating a noble aura; her eyebrows were smooth and naturally arched. At first glance, her eyes were bright, and upon closer inspection, the corners lifted slightly, giving her gaze a calm decisiveness.
Her nose was high and straight, full of blessings, while her cheekbones were round, plump, and prominent, neither sharp nor sunken.
One might say she had the bearing of a matron of the realm, yet there was something different! Her fate carried both calamity and authority.
For a woman to possess the dignity to rule the world as a matron was already the height of nobility. Though such a destiny was rare, it was not unheard of. Yet, to be born with authority in her fate…
Grace had seen countless people, but this was her first encounter with a person like this.
After a brief sizing up, she spoke, “I heard about the Wallen family’s situation, so I came to see for myself”
Before Margaery could respond, Grace preemptively blocked any potential dispute by saying, “First, Andrew is my apprentice, and it’s my fault as a mentor. Second, you’re Dashnell’s beloved, and as his aunt, it’s only right that I come to visit you.”
She brought some gifts, some precious medicinal supplements. At this point, even if Margaery harbored resentment toward Andrew, it could not be directed at Grace.
Therefore, she cupped her hands and said, “Thanks, Your Highness, for your concern. The Wallen family’s affairs have nothing to do with Your Highness; how could I blame Your Highness?”
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10:39 am P
Chapter 246
Grace nodded and said, “You seem a bit weary. Have you been busy all day?”
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“I just returned from martial arts practice,” Margaery answered truthfully, then stepped forward to pour some coffee. “The coffee is just ordinary; please don’t mind, Your Highness.”
“It’s just coffee.” Grace did not put on airs. She picked up the cup, cradled it in her palms, and took a slow sip before saying, “However, staying here indefinitely is not a solution. Have you thought about where to go next?”
Margaery pondered briefly and realized she was here to gather information. She had to weigh carefully what information could be shared and what could not.
Firstly, her recognition party would only be held the day after tomorrow. Secondly, Raul had stepped down, and no new Chancellor would be appointed. While various families were scrambling to curry favor, openly and secretly scheming with fierce intensity, the King chose to take a day off today…
This meant that news of the cabinet formation could not be disclosed. Therefore, Margaery could only feign ignorance.
With this in mind, she respectfully said, “For now, I’ll stay here. In a couple of days, I’ll accompany my mentor to treat patients, hoping to earn some money, and then rent another place if nothing unexpected happens.”
She smiled at Grace and said, “However, everything about me is now beyond my control. Circumstances change in an instant; perhaps tomorrow, the day after, or perhaps… before today is over, I may be moved elsewhere.”
Grace pondered upon hearing this. She could not gather any information from her. For a moment, it was difficult to determine whether Margaery truly knew nothing or was deliberately concealing something.
‘If it’s intentional, then this sixteen–year–old girl is truly remarkable in her strategy. No wonder she could defeat the sons of the Wallen family,’ Grace thought.
After all, the Wallen family’s eldest son is unscrupulous. He possesses a measure of bravery and a touch of cunning, but he’s deficient in both true wisdom and moral righteousness.
The second son of the Wallen family has a hundred schemes in his mind, yet not a single one leads him down the path of righteousness. As for wisdom, he has none.
The third son of the Wallen family lacks noble bearing. Judging by his features alone, half of his life will be spent in hardship and instability, marked by poverty and misfortune; his fate seemingly is destined for sorrow.
The fourth son is brave yet foolhardy, destined for a brief life. As for the fifth son… He’s the only one among the Wallen family’s five sons whom I saw as having a chance to break free from the shadow of the Chancellor’s estate.
Whether he’ll succeed or fail depends on his journey to the northern frontier. Had I known earlier, I would’ve chosen Margaery, Grace thought to herself.
However, back when she took in an apprentice, Raul only brought the five sous for her to choose from, and did not bring Margaery. Thus, this was her first time meeting Margaery.
Only now did she realize that all the fortune and nobility of the Chancellor’s estate had fallen upon this young girl Grace sighed, took off her bead bracelet, handed it to Margaery, and said, “This is our first meeting, I give this to you as a greeting gift.”
She added, “My mentor carved this himself and blessed it. He spent three years consecrating it in a sacred ritual before giving it to me. I hope it’ll keep you safe.”
In fact, Margaery’s great calamity of blood and misfortune had already passed. This string of life–saving beads could now only be used to protect the McKay family from being crushed by the turmoil of the court.
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10:39 am P P Pa
Chapter 246
The charm was now given to Margaery. In reality, the one being protected was Grace herself.
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Grace let out a sigh. Margaery had no way to refuse. However, she was still wearing the rosary beads from the Chapel of Wisdom on her wrist.
Grace took her hand and personally put it on for her. “Religions are one family; wear them both. They will protect you with peace year after year, and also safeguard the prosperity and peace of our Eastvale Empire,” she said.
This time, it was even harder for Margaery to refuse, and she could only thank Grace, “Thanks, Your Highness. I shall accept it then.”
“Mm.” Grace nodded and said, “Now that you’re alone, if you encounter anything you can’t resolve, you may use these beads as a token and come to me for help.”
“Alright,” Margaery replied.
Grace suddenly asked, smiling, “Margaery, do you like Prince Dashnell?”
Margaery was caught off guard. Her affection for Dashnell had almost become common knowledge. To say she did not like him would seem hypocritical and unnecessary. ‘But to say I like him… Margaery hesitated.
In the end, she nodded and said, “Prince Dashnell is the most handsome man in the world; everyone admires him, and naturally, I’m no exception. Moreover, he’s my senior brother, thus I respect him too.”
Grace raised her eyebrows slightly. Following that, her heart grew somewhat heavy. ‘For Prince Dashness, it still depends on the King,’ she thought.
After talking with Margaery for a while, Grace realized it was difficult to gather anything from this young girl, so she finally stood up. “It’s late now; you rest early. I’ll visit you another day.”
“Your Highness, take care.” Margaery saw her out.
Grace smiled at her before heading downstairs. Margaery watched her leave, feeling heavy–hearted.
Adam asked her, “Miss Wallen, why did Princess Grace come this time? What does she want?”
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