Chapter 289
A strong scent of cosmetics brushed past Margaery’s nose. She turned to look at Freda’s departing figure, her mind heavy with thoughts.
“Chamberlain Warren, regarding the King’s meals, daily routines, and usual items, you must exercise utmost caution.”
Margaery lowered her voice and spoke to Warren at her side.
Warren’s expression changed slightly. “Thank you for the reminder, Miss!”
‘Indeed, the court is one entity.
‘If one part is desperate, can the other parts be peaceful?‘ Margaery thought.
‘As one of the four consorts, even if she is confined to the chapel to pray for blessings, she still has many agents outside. Carelessness is not an option,‘ she mused.
Margaery turned around and exited the palace gates.
This morning, the sky cleared up.
A vast expanse of azure sky appeared overhead, but the passing cold wind was bone–chilling.
At the palace gate, Warren offered a blessing, ‘Today is your family recognition banquet; God favors you, and the road ahead will surely be smooth.‘
“Thank you, Chamberlain Warren.”
Margaery bid him farewell and boarded the carriage.
“Miss, why did you take so long?”
After watching Warren leave, Solon looked at Margaery, worry evident in his eyes. ‘His Highness sent someone to ask twice about your whereabouts!
“Too tired and ended up dozing off right in the palace,” Margaery answered truthfully. “I met with him today. I’ll speak to him about it.”
Solon nodded.
The carriage headed toward the inn.
Solon brought up last night’s events. “Prince Callum is under confinement, but he hasn’t been idle. According to our observations, he seems to have a double.”
“Went south?” Margaery looked up and asked.
Solon was stunned. After a moment, he stared at Margaery in astonishment. “How did you know?”
Margaery glanced in the direction of Callum’s residence. “Just a guess. Since he’s confined, he can’t appear in Sinderin, so what’s the point of having a double out?”
“The only explanation is that he has business in the south, so he left the double at the residence and went south himself,” she added.
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Chapter 289
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“First, to mislead others; second, to make a secret escape; third, to secretly accomplish what he wants.”
Margaery sighed. ‘This New Year will probably be hard to get through.
Changing the subject, Margaery asked, “By the way, any movement from the Salome family? Since Prince Callum was leaving, he must have met with someone from the Salome family before departing.”
Solon looked at her as if he’d seen a ghost. “Last night, he met with the second son of the Salome family, then disguised himself as a scholar and left through the ‘south city gate.”
Margaery pondered these words. “So, from now on, anything related to Prince Callum’s residence will be handled by the Salome family. Any examinees in the palace exam who have ties to the Salome family must be watched.”
Simon’s gaze turned strange upon hearing this.
He finally couldn’t help himself and looked at Margaery. “Are you able to read His Highness’s mind?”
Margaery was taken aback and looked at him in surprise.
Solon said, “These words are exactly the same as what His Highness instructed last night.”
Margaery was taken aback, then smiled as she regained her composure. “Perhaps we just happened to think of the same thing.”
Solon said nothing and gave her a thumbs–up.
Previously, he had thought that His Highness, with his extraordinary talent, had no need to keep an eye on Margaery, and that doing so would only expose himself.
Now, however, he felt that only Margaery was a true match for His Highness; anyone else would fall short.
The city remained under strict lockdown.
When Margaery returned to the inn, Marc was already waiting for her. “Pack up, we’re going home. I’ve asked the maids to organize the odds and ends, but there are still some bottles and jars I didn’t touch. I was afraid they might contain something dangerous.”
He wore a broad smile, clearly delighted.
Margaery felt embarrassed. “Some of them are indeed poisonous. I’ll handle it myself.”
“But is it really necessary to leave so early?” she asked.
Margaery had been so busy lately that she barely had time to catch her breath; it all felt too rushed.
Marc sighed and glanced around. “Look, the bed is gone, the table is gone. It’s hardly a place fit for living!”
“Mother said to bring you over early so you can get used to the house and not feel nervous at the family recognition banquet,” he added.
“I’ve compensated for the damages to the inn,” Marc smiled and said.
Margaery replied awkwardly, “I’ll owe you for now. I’ll pay you back when I have the money.”
Marc laughed. “Consider it a return gift for your matchmaking efforts. No need to repay me.”
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Chapter 289
Margaery looked up at him and realized his smile was… rather unique.
“So, Mother has agreed to your marriage with Lady Christina? That was quick! When will you propose?”
Margaery was genuinely happy for the two of them.
Marc nodded. “Once you enter the family, I’ll go propose.”
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“It’s just a pity that Prince Nathaniel was attacked. If we want to get married, we’ll probably have to wait until next year. At least a hundred days must pass.”
Margaery listened and couldn’t help but laugh. “Marc, you sound rather impatient.”
Marc smiled but said nothing.
Margaery truly felt a bit envious of him.
Marc grew up in a family renowned for its upright and harmonious traditions, and throughout his life, he never encountered any setbacks; everything went smoothly for him.
When he reached the age for marriage, there was someone who had secretly loved him for many years.
And the person who secretly loved him was also someone he liked.
Their parents did not object, and within a couple of days, the match was settled.
Immediately after, there were the formal betrothal rituals, the grand wedding, and then the birth of children….
‘Such a life is truly a blessing that must have been earned over several lifetimes.’
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Margaery thought about this and suddenly felt that it was a very good thing for her as well; at the very least, it allowed her to see what a healthy family looked like and how people interacted with one another.
“In the future, when I return home, there will still be many things I need you to guide me on,” Margaery packed up her belongings and smiled at Marc. “You know, I grew up in a family like that, so inevitably there are some flaws in me that I can’t easily notice myself.”
People must always move forward.
Margaery was willing and also wanted to become a better person.
“You are already very good,” Marc sighed upon hearing this, then reached out and gently rubbed her head. “Come on, once we’re home, it’s your family, so relax a bit and don’t be so nervous.”
Margaery nodded and followed Marc onto the carriage.
Several maids followed behind and boarded other carriages as well.
Suddenly, Amber cried.
“My lady has been through so much, and now she finally has a home,” she sobbed.
The main reason was that she was moved by seeing how well Marc treated Margaery.
Thinking back to the attitude of the five sons of the Wallen family, she truly felt sad and aggrieved.
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Chapter 289
The carriage passed by the main gate of the Wallen family.
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Unlike the previous hustle and bustle, now the Wallen family’s gate was deserted; there wasn’t even a single guard at the entrance, the gate stood wide open, and not a soul could be seen inside.
“How did it end up like this?” Amber exclaimed in surprise when she saw it.
Margaery lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside, also slightly stunned.
It was a very strange feeling.
Previously, she thought only Gracewind Garden was dilapidated, while the rest of the place was still prosperous, especially Tessa’s Sunbeam Court, which was exceptionally luxurious.
‘But now, it gives the impression that the entire Wallen family has fallen into ruin, becoming like Gracewind Garden, Margaery thought.
Marc saw her astonishment, a faint smile appearing in his gaze as he said, “I heard Raul has gone mad, rambling everywhere and exposing his own secrets.
“Joshua had no choice but to knock him out and lock him in the woodshed; it seems fortune truly does turn.”
Upon hearing this, Margaery sighed. “Joshua locked his own father in the woodshed?”
‘God spares no one,‘ she thought.
Just as Marc was about to speak, Joshua appeared from around the corner carrying two packets of medicine, looking lost and dejected, with injuries still on his face, and was momentarily stunned.
He saw their carriage.
His glance swept over her, the girl with features like a painted masterpiece, a beauty that could eclipse a nation, her smile scattering sunlight like a fallen city.
Suddenly, he felt a dense pain in his chest, forcing his eyes red and tears to well up.
‘Margaery!” he shouted.
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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.
