Chapter 264
In recent events, Nathaniel’s performance had been so poor that even he felt something was wrong.
He regretted it, was anxious, but did not know how to remedy the situation.
The advisors of the Eastern Palace were all dispirited, and some even began to consider leaving.
“If you ask me, Your Highness shouldn’t have rushed to annul the engagement, it was His Majesty’s decree. Now nothing can be done; at this rate, an edict of dethronement may soon be issued,” one of them said.
Nathaniel annulled the engagement without summoning his advisors. He simply discussed it with his attendant and then went ahead with it.
Now that things had gone awry, coming back to consult them for countermeasures in the face of such a deadlock, many feel that their years of loyalty have been misplaced.
Upon hearing this, Nathaniel felt a chill in his heart. Dethronement was something he had never considered.
He could not help but look at his attendant, somewhat angry. “It’s all your fault. Why didn’t you try to stop me?”
The attendant looked aggrieved, eyes brimming with tears. “But at the time, Your Highness also wanted to annul the engagement…”
Lowering his gaze, he added softly, “But no matter what Your Highness’s situation is, I, your servant, will always remain by your side.”
Upon hearing this, Nathaniel was even more infuriated. “What use are you to me?!”
As he spoke, he angrily kicked his companion, then said heavily, “This afternoon, Prince Callum proposed to Phillipa and was rejected. The Eames and Hadley families are at odds, so they’re unlikely to support Prince Marcus.
“Since things have come to this, I will make a trip to the Eames family and see how things stand. If I can win their support, perhaps there is still a chance to turn things around.”
Phillipa and Margaery had a good relationship, which served as a buffer. The Eames family was prestigious and could serve
as a cornerstone.
Nathaniel gave the order to prepare the horses as he spoke. Then, he hurriedly rushed into the night.
The cold wind struck, and shards of snow scraped his face like knives. He could not help but cry silently, letting his tears fly unchecked.
It was not that he had never plotted for himself. He had, many times over the years, but each time ended in failure.
Nor was he without ambition.
But if every attempt ended in failure, if everything fell apart, it only proved he was less capable than others and unfit for this position.
How cruel that truth was. Nobody could calmly accept that they were simply not enough.
He crossed the street. Suddenly, Nathaniel felt dazed, as if his spirit had left his body, wandering and lost.
At that moment, several dark figures suddenly appeared on the rooftops on both sides. Before he could react, they drew their blades and charged.
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Chapter 264
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With a squelch, blood gushed from Nathaniel’s neck, bursting like fireworks in the night. His body collapsed with a thud, bringing his absurd life to a complete end.
“Withdraw!” The assassins retreated after a single strike.
Then, they engaged in combat with the guards of the Eastern Palace.
The guards saw that, even under their protection, Nathaniel had been beheaded, and immediately thought all was lost.
Having failed in their duty, their only fate was to be buried alongside him.
Thus, more than a dozen men fought desperately with the assassins, ferocious and relentless.
Both sides suffered casualties.
*****
Outside the gate of Morales’s estate.
“Please announce me. I wish to see Prince Bernard for a moment.” Margaery stepped out of the carriage and waited at the gate of Morales’s estate.
A moment later, Bernard strolled out nonchalantly. “Wow, the sun must be rising in the west. You’ve come to see me late at night, are you up to something suspicious?”
Margaery felt embarrassed. “It’s just after dusk.”
She added, “I’m here to thank you for helping me several times, nothing more.”
“Alright then, come inside!” Bernard was only joking and didn’t really intend to argue with her, but he was genuinely pleased that she had come on her own initiative. “I happen to have a few bottles of good wine here, today you’re in luck!”
“I don’t drink alcohol.” Then, Margaery chuckled. “Soon I’ll be too busy to visit you, so I came to see you while I could.”
“Besides, it’s already late, so it’s not convenient for me to stay.” Margaery glanced overhead.
Bernard looked a bit disappointed. “Surely you have time for a cup of coffee?”
“There’s nothing I can do. Back when you were trapped in the Wallen family’s backyard, your father and five brothers, plus Dominic, guarded against me like I was a thief.
‘I couldn’t even see you when I tried. And now, there’s no time anymore.”
Margaery was startled by his words. “You… tried to find me before?”
That time at Pero Cela, she thought it was only her second encounter with Bernard, and both times were just coincidences,
Bernard rolled his eyes. “Did you think I was the kind of person who forgets kindness? After you saved me, I tried to find you many times, but I was always turned away.
“Raul, Joshua, and Avery all said that men and women should keep their distance and told me to behave myself.
“I said I was only coming to thank you, but they said it wasn’t necessary”
Margaery was speechless. “So…. last time at Pero Cela, when Joshua acted like he didn’t know why you helped me, he was just pretending?”
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Chapter 264
Turns out everyone wore a mask, only she had foolishly confined herself all these years.
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“Of course! He drives me crazy!” Bernard’s expression soured. He invited Margaery to the study and personally brewed coffee. “At least the King isn’t blind.”
Handing the coffee to Margaery, Bernard sighed. “Tell me, did you dig up Raul’s ancestral grave in your past life, so that in this life you’d have to be his daughter and suffer all this?”
“I do not know either.” Margaery felt abashed.
In her previous life, she was murdered. If there truly is such a cause and effect, it must have been in the life before last.
Bernard said solemnly, “Now that you have become the imperial seal bearer, your position is indeed prestigious, but it also places you at the very center of court politics, where open and hidden threats are certain to abound.
“Especially those few consorts in the palace, you must be extremely cautious.”
Margaery looked up and saw deep concern in his eyes. She was moved and nodded. “I will be careful.”
Bernard sighed. “If only someone from my family were in the palace. Unfortunately, my father says that with three hundred thousand troops under his command, he cannot advance any further.
“Otherwise, it would bring unrest to the court. If not, we could still be of help in the palace.”
Margaery smiled and said, “To have a friend like you, Bernard, is already a great fortune for me. How could I ask for more?”
As she spoke, she raised her coffee cup. “I offer coffee instead of wine in this toast to you.”
“Alright.” Bernard raised his cup and took a sip. “In any case, you only spend half a day in the palace each day, so you’ll always have time outside. From now on, I will visit you at Mr. Eastwick’s place. If anything happens, let me know.”
Margaery nodded. “Perfect. I also have some medical matters to consult you about.”
That could not be better!” Bernard showed a hearty smile. His manner was more uninhibited and carefree than most men, yet not at all off–putting.
On the contrary, it made Margaery feel a sense of liberation. This was how one ought to live.
When the soul was trapped within the body, bound by countless constraints, scrambling for scraps felt petty and sordid.
She pondered for a moment and continued chatting with him.
At that moment, someone suddenly rushed in from outside in a panic. “My lord! My lord! Something has happened! There is a major incident outside!”
Stop shouting. Speak slowly Bernard did not react much.
Margaery turned her head and saw a guard rush in, gasping for breath. “Prince Nathaniel was assassinated in the street, he was decapitated!”
“What?” Bernard was shocked. He stood up abruptly, knocking his coffee cup to the ground Prince Nathaniel is dead?”
After the initial shock, a unique curiosity appeared in his eyes, one not shared by his contemporaries. “Now, this is going to be quite a show!”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
