The next day at noon, Daisy saw Mary in her yoga pose as soon as she pushed opened the door. She immediately curtsied, “Milady, It’s Lord Debeur’s birthday today, there is a feast in the front yard of the manor, and I was called to help with the preparations. Sorry for neglecting you miss.”
Daisy peered at Mary’s beautiful face and saw that she didn’t show any sign of acknowledgment. She quirked her mouth and continued, “Her ladyship said your wounds are not yet healed, so you don’t need to make an appearance at the feast.”
Mary’s long and curvy lashes quivered, her comprehension was beyond clear now, the side consort’s little scheme was never her first priority any way; this was probably for the best.
“Who else is coming to the feast today?” Mary thought and raised her head to ask Daisy.
“Umm… I was only ordered to serve refreshments, so I have no idea.” Daisy was a little frustrated for not being able to answer mistress’s simple question after a day at the banquet, she was useless.
“You know what, never mind.” Mary waved her hand to dismiss Daisy. Daisy was just a powerless little maid, how could she possibly know the list of aristocrats that attended the feast.
Later that night, when Mary was trying to sleep, A swoosh of something broke the air of silence. An arrow was nailed to the window-sill next to Mary. The arrow was still quivering and a letter was attached to it. Mary raised her eyebrows and took down the letter. The letter read “Guest Inventory of Lord Regent’s Birthday Banquet. Under the title were names and backgrounds of all the guests of that day.
Among them, the name of the fourth son of the Queen – Sebastian Stuart stood out boldly.
Mary quirked her eyebrows again, who sent this letter?
“Oh no, miss!” Daisy panted, “Her ladyship required your presence!”
A maid strutted in proudly before Daisy finished her sentence. Her haughty and sneering expression faltered when she saw Mary’s drastically changed appearance. But she quickly recovered, “Milady, her ladyship requires your presence.” Her slow and haughty voice dropped lower under Mary’s icy gaze.
She was paralyzed with fear. After delivering the message, she quickly left under the disdainful gaze of Daisy.
“Milady…” Daisy seemed to want to say something but stopped herself. The side consort was clearly up to no good when she is looking for Mary at this time of the day.
“Don’t fret.” Mary said flippantly. The side consort finally caved after restraining herself for this many days. She would like to see the tricks up her sleeves this time.
However, the situation on Amy’s side was not so good.
“What? They want me to wed the Minister’s crippled third son?” Amy lost all her dignity of a lady and jumped as soon as she heard the news from her maid. Apparently, everyone in London was gossiping about this piece of news.
“This is what I heard, milady. I even went to the prime minister’s manor and checked the betrothal proposal; it is indeed your name on it.” The small maid rubbed her eyes.
What is her mother trying to do? Amy’s pretty face twisted ugly, losing all of her aristocratic grace. She turned and charged off in fury.
“Where are you going, milady?” Seeing Amy’s frenzied state, the maid was frightened and tied to keep her from leaving.
“Move! I want to go find my mother!” Amy had to find out the meaning of this.
“You can’t miss, her Ladyship is already resting. Besides, to barge in like this…” The little maid was beyond torn but she was unable to stop Amy from storming out.
In the courtroom of the Manor, the side consort sat on a shiny Rose wood chair, her eyes glinting faintly while staring at Mary. There was fear but also fathomless coldness in her eyes.
“Mary, my dear, come here and sit beside me.” The side consort’s voice and gesture was the perfect image of a doting mother.
But it was all a weak and laughable disguise in Mary’s eyes.
Mary lowered her eyes and hid the steely glint in her eyes, saying nothing as she took a step forward.
“You have grown up so much, Mary. I can barely recognize you.” The side consort looked at Mary and smiled sweetly. “It is now a time for you to draft a betrothal. I think the third son of the prime minister is a suitable match for you. What do you think?” The side consort knew Amy’s arrangement was a delicate one; she needed Mary to give her consent in marrying into the minister’s family.
“Your ladyship, what are you talking about? The name on the betrothal contract isn’t mine.” Mary said lightly, her lips curling into a cold smirk.
“Mary, I am your mother, if you are willing…” The side consort sipped her tea slowly.