The side consort noticed there was a flurry of chitchats among the servants outside the hall. Their conversations were basically about praising Mary’s heroic act and Amy truly being possessed. The side consort felt a rush of blood towards her head and the things in front of her started to become dark. Her eyes rolled and she collapsed instantly in Madam Barbosa’s arms.
The crowds went into panic as there was no more space in the side hall for the side consort to lie down and they could only carry her back. Grace was also in a state of confusion and could not care to display herself in front of Leonard. She ordered the servants around to take care of the side consort and even pleaded James for his doctor to check on the side consort.
James nodded expressionlessly and agreed but only after Doughall had finished checking on Mary and Luna.
Grace heaved a sigh of relief. She always felt that something must have hidden under James’ feeble appearance.
As if the situation was not chaotic enough for Nean, he grinned at Grace and said, “Second mistress, what about the third mistress?”
Grace felt headache. If not for that godforsaken girl, they would not have been in this horrible circumstance and they could have already tied Mary up. She bit her teeth and replied, “Since she’s being possessed, I’ll let Damma handle it.”
Grace was filled with hatred when she looked at Nean’s complacent look too. Who knows whether these two priests have received Mary that slut’s bribes or not that they’re betraying them at this moment! If they dared ruin her plan, she would go all out, even her life, to destroy Munashii Temple!
Gautama Damma put his hand at the back of Amy’s head the moment Grace left. He pulled the silver needle out without anyone’s notice and tossed inside his sleeves. Amy’s strength was completely drained at once and she collapsed onto the ground full of sweats. She gazed at her surroundings with a pair of spiritless eyes at a loss and muttered, “What happened to me? Where is mother and the others?”
Damma kept a straight face and spoke sternly, “Third mistress, you were possessed just now. Her Ladyship panicked and fainted. The second mistress has already sent her back.”
Amy’s memory came flushing back to her. She did not understand why but she felt a sudden sharp pain at the back of her head and she could not remember clearly what had happened afterwards. Now that she had recovered and Damma accused her being possessed, her anger inexplicably rose. She lowered her head and noticed one of her shoes was dropped, her robe was torn off and her hair was disheveled, making her look like a ghost.
Amy felt ashamed especially when there were so many princes in the hall and so many servants looking from outside. It was truly embarrassing when her arms were even suppressed by a few priests.
She felt so embarrassed that she could not wait to dig herself a hole and bury herself in it to isolate herself from the world.
Yet with a serious look, Damma said to her, “Although I’ve chased the demon inside third mistress’ body away, yet third mistress’ body is very weak and might be invaded by evil spirits again if care is not taken. Therefore I suggest third mistress to continue staying at the temple for third mistress’ safety.”
Amy certainly did not want to admit she had been possessed. She struggled from the priests’ suppression and spotted Gwen at first glance. Gwen was lowering her head, cringing among the crowd. She did not dare to raise her head and look at her, as if feeling embarrassed having this kind of master.
Amy was flared with anger and she yelled. “Gwen! Goddammit. Hurry up and get your ass here!”
Gwen shuddered from fright and staggered into the hall. She went to Amy’s side with a pale face and did not dare to utter a word. Amy twisted her ear and scolded her as her anger could not be released. “Goddammit, why are you being so far away from me! Are you afraid that I’ll eat you?”
Gwen was scared that she immediately cried and pleaded, stammering.
Amy could not bear to see her like this and asked rudely, “Where the hell is Brit?”
Gwen and Brit had served Amy since young yet Brit was closer to Amy in comparison, therefore Amy would look for Brit whenever she wanted to do something. Yet apparently she had forgotten that Brit was at the brink of death right now.
“My lady, didn’t you beat Brit up when you’re in the room? Brit is still covered in blood right now!” Gwen stammered and burst into tears. She knelt down towards James and kowtowed frequently while crying. “Your Highness, I beg you to let the doctor treat Brit! Brit might die if she does not receive treatment!”
Nean quickly added fuel to fire by saying, “Tsk, Tsk. See that? Brit was being beaten up by the third mistress of the Debeur family. My, my, you all didn’t have the chance to witness the brutality of the third mistress’ action. People who are being possessed are always cold-blooded.”
There was sympathy in James’ expression. As if feeling sorry for what happened to Brit, his voice was soft and listenable, making Gwen felt that he was an amicable person. “Don’t cry. Hurry up and return with your mistress. I’ll let Doughall treat your little pal too when he’s treating the side consort.”
Gwen was extremely grateful that she bowed and thanked his kindness. Feeling uncomfortable with her behavior, Amy struggled to her feet and shouted angrily at Gwen. “If you really want to follow the ninth prince, then continue staying here if you dare!”
Gwen’s face was flushed with paleness and she quickly stood up. She gave the princes a quick bow and scampered after Amy.
Jared gave a false smile and spoke, “That maiden must be doomed when she returns. Who knows whether Lord Regent has been too enthusiastic to deal with the state affairs until his family is all messed up.”
Hector who admired Ralph solely grunted after hearing his words. “Don’t talk nonsense, sixth brother! Lord Regent was only lacking a wise wife. There would not be much fuss in the regent household when he’s married a formal queen.”
Ivo spoke in concert with him. “I think it’s true. Yet it is said that Lord Regent was too fond of the deceased queen that he refused to marry another queen.”
Sebastian who used to disdain Ralph said with a chuckle, “Even if he does want to marry, I’m afraid the old king and queen of the Rustica kingdom would not agree to his decision.”
Although the queen of Lord Regent, Lenroe was a princess and Ralph was the Lord Regent, yet his other marriage had to be permitted by the king and queen of the Rustica kingdom. Sebastian was obviously mocking Ralph for being restricted by his in-laws.
“Aren’t fourth brother tired having stood here for such a long time?” Henry asked blandly and led the princes burn the incense.
Leonard lost to Henry by being one step behind. He smiled at Sebastian and said, “I know fourth brother does not believe in ghosts or gods, yet it’s inappropriate to not burn a joss stick in front of the gods. If fourth brother’s hungry, we could have vegetarian meal here afterwards. Munashii Temple’s vegetarian meal has good reputations.” He burned the incense once he finished his words.
Only Sebastian was left standing alone at his place.
Although there were subtle differences among the relationship of the princes with Ralph and their comment towards him differed, none of them was willing to offend Ralph in person. After all, none of them could guarantee to be able to deal with Ralph according to Ralph’s current power and strength and they might need him to enhance their positions on the other hand.
It was only Sebastian who was able to mess around the royal palace and not receiving a single criticism by relying on the emperor and Concubine Gerita’s love to him. And it was only Sebastian too who dared to make blatant sarcastic remarks on Ralph.
Sebastian sneered after making clear of the reasons hidden behind. “I can see my fellow brothers have a good relationship with Lord Regent. Those who don’t know might misunderstand you all for belonging to the Debeur family but not the Stuart’s.” His voice was neither loud nor small and was just audible to the princes to hear.
Nean who was serving the princes in the hall peeked at Sebastian curiously yet he was met with Damma’s fierce glare. He quickly lowered his head and not dared to act recklessly anymore.
Mary’s injury was not serious as what Doughall had said. She was only losing blood excessively. She went into a deep slumber for the whole night and gradually gained her consciousness. Upon opening her eyes, she saw Luna staying stock-still beside her bed with her hair unkempt and her eyes swollen like two peaches from crying too much.
Mary could not help but chuckle. “Luna sis, you look ugly this way.”
Luna gave her a glare and grunted. “How could you still care to say this? You know, you’ve scared me to death!” She felt embarrassed remembering herself crying and being deranged in front of the princes. She had totally lost her dignity, especially in front of Kace.
Mary stretched her hand out with difficulty. She grasped Luna’s hand and said weakly, “Luna sis, I’ve appreciated every kindness of yours to me.”
Seeing Luna’s eyes went red and her tears about to fall once more, Jewel soothed her. “My lady, don’t cry anymore. The fifth mistress waking up was a blessing. If you cry again, these eyes would not be able to recover.”
Luna quickly wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. She put it back and grunted. “It’s good that you appreciate my kindness, but don’t you dare do it again, it’s too dangerous. If the hairpin was slightly diverted, you…” Her urge to cry rebounded once more before she finished.
Luna had witnessed it in the main hall with her own eyes. The hairpin was initially heading towards the side consort yet Mary leapt forward and protected the side consort at the crucial moment.
That was what Luna could not understand. “Mary sis, why did you even save the side consort when she’s that evil and cruel? The situation might be better if you did not save her during that moment.”