Chapter 228
The Empress Dowager said, “Eliza just visited earlier–why don’t you escort Adeline over yourself! What do you think,
Eliza lifted her gaze. The Empress Dowager met it with a faint smile, clearly offering her a deliberate opportunity to take the lead
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Eliza replied, making no attempt to refuse.
Adeline wasn’t particularly eager to go, but she remembered what Gabriel had told her before entering the palace–no matter what, she had to check in on Sophie. If Sophie really did become the King’s first consort, the Nevill family would naturally rise with her.
And more importantly, there were still some loose ends to tie up… especially between Sophie and her son
With that in mind, Adeline gave a shallow bow and turned to leave–only to be stopped by one of the palace maids from the Empress Dowager’s court
Adeline frowned, but before she could speak, Eliza brushed past her with elegant, unhurried steps. Only after Eliza had passed did the maid lower her hand and step aside. “Safe travels, Madame.”
Adeline’s face twitched. She gritted her teeth in silence.
Tch. Putting on airs just because she’s recited a few scriptures and won some favor. As if that would last. Sooner or later, the Empress Dowager will grow tired of a disrespectful little upstart like her:
With that smug thought to comfort her, Adeline huffed and followed after Eliza.
Once outside the hall, the surrounding palace maids–those ahead and behind–consciously kept their distance, giving the
two women room.
Adeline saw the opening and immediately strode up to walk beside Eliza “Eliza, stop right there.”
Eliza didn’t break stride.
Adeline wanted to block her outright but, glancing at the maids nearby, thought better of it. Instead, she gritted her teeth and hissed as she trailed her. “Your father sent me to give you a message. Don’t tell me you don’t know what it’s about?”
She clearly expected Eliza to beg for an answer–but Eliza simply replied, “I don’t care. You can stop talking now.”
Adeline nearly choked on the spot.
She wanted to keep quiet, but she didn’t dare. If she didn’t relay the message properly and things went south, Gabriel would have her head.
With a face full of suppressed frustration, she said, “Like it or not, you’re going to hear this. Your father wants you to meet him as soon as you leave the palace. He’s waiting for you just outside the gates.”
“Not happening.” Eliza said flatly. “Tll be returning to Saint Grace Nunnery. No time for anything else.”
Adeline ground her teeth. Then you need to convince the King to change his mind and release Sophie.”
“Too busy,” Eliza said again, just as coolly.
Adeline finally snapped. Then what do you want?! Just tell me what will it take for you to let Sophie go!!”
Eliza suddenly stopped. She turned slowly, her eyes calm and piercing.
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“That’s a strange way to put it. Sophie isn’t in my custody, What exactly am I supposed to let go of?”
She smiled faintly, her tone feigning innocence–as if she had no idea what Adeline was accusing her of
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Truth was, she hadn’t gotten Sophie into the palace. That was Nolan’s doing, a little trick be and the King had cooked up for her sake. The King was still young he went along with it like it was some harmless prank
But now that the Stonors were here trying to make her pay for it, Eliza saw no reason not to collect some
interest.
In truth, Adeline hand fully supported Sophie entering the palace–at least until Gabriel decided she had to be pulled out. Now, she had no choice out to fall in line. Not that she was doing a great job of it. Her mouth always ran faster than her
brain
“Adeline,” she said softly, “that’s a dangerous thing to say. Sophie is supposedly being trained as the future consort–yet you claim she’s being imprisoned? Sounds to me like you’re criticizing the King. Or perhaps… the Empress Dowager?”
Adeline’s eyes widened. “Don’t twist my words! I was talking about you, not them! Don’t you dare slander me like that!“
“Oh, good. Then watch your tone,” Eliza said mildly, glancing at the maids nearby. “There are plenty of people listening. Wouldn’t want any… misunderstandings, would we?
Adeline instantly clammed up.
She shot a quick glance at the surrounding maids–none seemed to be reacting, but who could say what they’d heard?
She turned back to Eliza, lowering her voice and growling. “Don’t try to threaten me. I’ll say this one last time–if want your father to come down on you hard, then you’d better get Sophie out of that palace.”
you don’t
Eliza stood still, meeting Adeline’s gaze without blinking. Her stare was so direct that Adeline started to feel uncomfortable. And just as she was about to lash out, Eliza finally spoke. “You already knew, didn’t you?” she said, her voice quiet but cutting
There was no need to name who he was. They both understood perfectly well.
Adeline’s eyes darted, guilty and evasive. “Knew what? I don’t know anything.”
She took a step closer. Eliza gave a soft, cold laugh. “Don’t play dumb. When Sophie first came to the Stonor household, you adored her. You even prepared an expensive hair ornament set–far more lavish than any of the measly trinkets you ever gave me. It was as if you’d been waiting for her to arrive for years.”
“I didn’t think much of it then. But looking back it all makes sense. You never liked my mother. Naturally, you wouldn’t like me either. But Sophie? You liked her because you knew. You knew exactly who she was. And not just that–didn’t you and her mother know each other? Weren’t the two of you… very close?”
The color drained from Adeline’s face.
She nearly blurted, “How did you know?!” but caught herself just in time.