Chapter 282
In the blink of an eye, dusk had fallen.
Margaery learned from Osmond that Prince Callum had been placed under house arrest.
EX 55 vouchers
Osmond looked at her and said, “Margaery, I would like to hear your thoughts. Why would the King confine Prince Callum?
His gaze was intense, as if trying to see through Margaery.
Margaery pondered the recent events and said, “The Royal Examinations are in ten days. With the Chancellor’s faction fallen, many will be implicated. Though the reckoning has yet to come it will surely begin once the examinations conclude
Then, why must we wait until after the examination? Osmond pressed.
“Because after the reckoning, the court will lack officials and need newcomers to fill the gaps. Margaery said.
“In that case, these people must have clean backgrounds and can not be anyone’s faction,” she added.
‘At present, Prince Nathaniel has been attacked, Prince Marcus is implicated. Prince Isander and the others have not yet gained influence, and only Prince Callum stands alone in power, she analyzed.
If a group of followers of Prince Callum were to be added at this time, it would be tantamount to cultivating another Raul” she guessed.
The King will not allow such a thing to happen,” she concluded
If I were in the same position, I would make the same choice, Margaery thought
Osmond looked at her and nodded repeatedly.
Then he sighed. “Star of Fortune, truly worthy of the name.”
He looked at Margaery and said, “You may go. Should danger find you in the palace, seek out Phillipa. I will aid you”
When the wind turns, many will find their interests swept away with it.
Margaery’s entry into the palace brings not only wealth and honor, but also greater dangers and deeper whirlpools awaiting her, Osmond mused.
But the Fames family will not stand by and do nothing, he thought.
After sitting for a while, Margaery went to bid farewell to Phillipa and returned to the inn.
The city remained under strict lockdown.
She encountered Alardus on the road.
This person, travel–worn, was coming from the direction of the magistrate’s office, heading toward the Salome family, walking in great haste.
After encountering Margaery, he was momentarily taken aback, then probed, “Has Princess Glowsend just come out from the Eames family?
Margaery looked at him and nodded, “Lord Salome, what brings you here?”
1/4
Chapter 282
55 vouchers
Alardus was the youngest son of Sigurd, the one mentioned by Osmond as the person who held a wedding banquet four years ago.
Margaery observed his expression; amid his worry and anxiety, when his gaze fell toward the Eames family, a trace of obscurity flashed in his eyes.
He did not answer Margaery’s question, but instead said, “I heard you have a good relationship with Lady Phillipa. It seems to be true. Today is under strict lockdown, yet you went to the Eames family to visit.”
Then, he changed the subject, “By the way, the old Osmond of the Eames family has been ill for a long time. Did you see him today?”
“Is he any better?” he added.
Alardus‘ gaze fixed on Margaery’s face as he spoke.
In the past, he would not have spared the youngest daughter of the Wallen family a glance, but times had changed.
Soon enough, the girl would have become the closest confidante to the King, either an ally or a stumbling block, but never without consequence.
Margaery also knew that from now on, she would be like Warren, having more or less some connection with these people in the court, whether actively or passively.
She gave a cold laugh inwardly, but her expression remained unchanged as she said, “He is still the same, lying in bed and unable to get up.”
“When I spoke to him, he had barely uttered a sentence before he was gasping for breath, almost unable to breathe,” she added.
Then, she shifted the topic, “If it weren’t for my sister from the Eames family being on leave, and that I hadn’t seen her for a long time, I wouldn’t have gone out today.”
Afterwards, she smiled at Alardus, “Lord Salome must have heard that she helped me at the Eames family.”
…Right, of course,” he replied after a slight pause.
Alardus snapped back to himself and gave a dry smile, “Then I’ll let you get on with your business. I have some matters to attend to as well.”
Margaery curled her lips, “After you.”
Alardus took two steps, then turned back, “By the way, when you enter the palace another day, if you need any help, you can come to Lady Freda. She likes you the most.”
As he spoke, he revealed a smile that appeared genuinely sincere.
“If necessary, I will,” Margaery said.
‘Like me the most?‘ she sneered inwardly.
She never saw Lady Freda help her when her life was at stake; instead, the last time at the Eames family, Callum sided with Tessa and found a lowly beggar to kick her when she was down.
‘Does she take me for a fool?‘ Margaery thought.
“Let’s go,” she said.
2/4
1:19 am D
Chapter 282
She did not look at Alardus again and instructed Bell to drive the carriage away.
Just as she arrived at the inn, Marc came.
55 vouchers
“Tomorrow is the recognition banquet, but now that Prince Nathaniel has been assassinated, we may need to keep a low profile. It’s unlikely we can host a grand feast, but all the prominent figures in court will still attend,” Marc said.
He looked at Margaery with a hint of apology.
But then he smiled again, “However, the King will also come.”
‘Consider it his way of making it up to you,” he added.
As he spoke, he called for someone to bring in the food box. “I bought some wine and dishes on the way, let me join you for
a meal.”
“Thank you, Marc,” Margaery smiled.
She smelled the taste of the food and felt her stomach rumble. “Did you just return from the palace?” she asked.
‘Yes, the King summoned me to the palace, specifically for tomorrow’s recognition banquet,” Marc said.
He looked at Margaery. “Tomorrow, the King will be there to support you and to let others know you are close to him, so they won’t dare to plot against you.”
‘However, since Prince Nathaniel is dead, things may get tricky tomorrow. You should be mentally prepared,” he reminded her.
‘So, you mean someone might make things difficult for me at the recognition banquet tomorrow?” Margaery said.
She hesitated, thinking it over. “Estelle Sutherland?” she guessed.
She found it hard to believe. “But isn’t the King coming? Would Estelle Sutherland really have the nerve?”
‘It’s the Queen Mother!” Marc sighed.
‘I just entered the palace and received a word of advice from Warren. He said the Queen Mother was furious over Prince Nathaniel’s death and spoke very harshly about you, claiming you are not the Star of Fortune, but a jinx,” he explained.
At this, Margaery suddenly understood.
‘I see,’ she said.
‘Prince Nathaniel did not die because of me, but I have been most closely involved with him recently. Originally, the King had granted us marriage, and we were soon to become husband and wife.
‘But now, Prince Nathaniel is dead, and I am to become someone by the King’s side.
‘Such a rise and fall is bound to provoke indignation, Margaery mused to herself.
She sneered inwardly and said, “If the Queen Mother thinks this way, surely someone has been whispering in her ear?”
Marc nodded, “Once you enter the palace, you will inevitably become the target of many”
He sighed, “Women in the palace hold high positions but can not participate in politics; most of their time is spent revolving around the King”
3/4
༠:{
Chapter 282
E 55 vouchers
“Let alone a beautiful young lady like you. Even if a female mosquito appeared at the King’s side, they would all want to kill
it.”
Marc continued, looking at Margaery, “There are also those who hope the King and Prince Dashnell will fight over you, inciting internal strife so they can profit from the chaos.”
Hearing all this, Margaery was left utterly stunned.
She had not yet entered the palace, but she could already sense the dangers.
Marc spoke as he took out a stack of portraits from his bag, “These are portraits and introductions of the more important people in the palace. The relationships are intricate. Some are visible. Some are hidden even from us.”
“Take a look at them tonight. All these people will appear at tomorrow’s banquet,” Marc said.
Margaery accepted them, “Thank you, Marc. With these, things will be much easier; otherwise, I would truly be in the dark
tomorrow.”
Marc nodded.
“We’ve prepared thoroughly, so don’t worry too much about the rest. You’re not alone,” he added with a smile.
Margaery’s eyes reddened.
This was the care of the family.
Yet in both her lives, she had never experienced it in the Wallen family.
Seeing her like this, Marc knew she was thinking of sad things and said, “News came today that Prince Isander has arrived in Clearbrook. As for the Wallen family’s affairs…”
4/4
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.
