Mary had been waiting for this promise from Ralph. She smiled sweetly at Ralph but then wrinkled her eyebrows as if suddenly remembered something. She said unhappily, “Luna sis is timid and afraid that father would blame her if she says it. Father, Luna sis was actually slapped by Amy sis.”
“Is it true?” Ralph looked at Mary’s eyes sternly. He tried to capture any trace of lie from her eyes but he did not manage to do so.
Mary was composed as it was the truth and there was no need to lie. Not to mention she was an agent in her previous life who possessed distinctive mental quality than normal people. No matter how Ralph oppressed, Mary’s could still endure it with her mental quality.
Ralph was outraged. His rage had been transformed into numbness and apathy when it was accumulated until a certain level.
Ralph was still discussing the recent turmoil in the Cotera kingdom with a bunch of aides and staff when Josh Young, the military official of the ninth prince escorted Angelica to the regent palace yesterday. He was feeling doubt after hearing what Angelica had said.
Although Amy was arrogant and aggressive, yet she would never harm her own mother and Ralph did not believe in things like being possessed by evil spirits too. Yet he was flared with anger when Josh asserted him that what Angelica said was all true. He led the doctor of the palace and rushed to Munashii Temple like lightning after a long trudge.
The princes were all gone when Ralph had arrived. The crown prince had left his official from the crown prince palace and the eighth prince had left his too, not knowing whether he only wanted to compete with the crown prince or he really wanted to testify Mary’s innocence in this incident.
Ralph almost made clear of the whole incident after being told by the two officials, Josh and from the judgment of Doughall towards Mary’s wound. He then interrogated the servants of the Debeur family.
Those who were loyal towards the side consort certainly did not want to tell the truth. Yet the other servants who had been too afraid of Ralph’s interrogation was compliant to reveal the truth which was identical to what was told to Ralph before.
Ralph then sought for the head of Munashii Temple, Gautama Damma and Nean at last. Gautama Damma of course, refused to disclose it was actually the side consort who had wanted to harm Mary. He only insisted that Amy was being possessed and it was necessary to let her stay in the temple for a few more days to eliminate the guilt of being possessed. Only then she was able to return to the regent palace. Or else, she might continue harming people.
Ralph never believed in myths regarding ghosts or gods. He even abhorred them due to Elsa’s incident few years ago. He was impatient when he heard Damma babbling about this, yet he agreed to accept Nean into the palace since Damma had saved Mary on the other hand. Nean would follow him back to regent palace after changing his lay disciple’s name.
Ralph only visited the two sisters, Mary and Luna after making clear of the incident. He initially thought that both sisters would cry the rooftops off and complain to him, yet contrary to his belief, both sisters were silent and still.
Luna never spoke about anything related to the incident, even Mary was obedient and docile, and she only mentioned Luna being hit by Amy, not the others.
“Does it hurt?” Ralph pointed at Mary’s wound on the shoulder.
Mary seemed to forget Luna being slapped by Amy instantly and her little nose wrinkled. “It hurts, father. It really hurts!”
Ralph let out a gentle smile. She was still a kid after all. This wound was nothing to him who had roamed across battlefields, yet it must really hurt for a delicate mistress.
“Rest here. I’ve brought Granny Gordy here too. She used to serve your mother in the past and had even taken care of you when you’re little. She’s a very nice person. Although she’s strict sometimes, she actually cares about you. Tell her if you want to eat anything.”
Mary blinked. “Father, am I not going home with you?”
“The doctor says it’s inappropriate to transfer you due to your wound. Therefore I’m afraid you’ll need to stay at Munashii Temple for a while.”
It was just what she wanted! She would have more freedom at Munashii Temple compared to the regent palace where her movement in and out of the palace was restricted.
Yet Mary still pretended that she was reluctant to stay. “Mary don’t like it here, Mary wants to go home.”
Ralph caressed her hair at the temple casually. “Be a good girl. Don’t worry, your fourth sister would stay here and accompany you too.”
Mary quickly said, “Father, Sir Kace seemed to…”
Ralph waved his hand. “Don’t say it anymore. I know, he’s at Munashii Temple too.”
“Eh? Sir Kace is here too?” Mary did not know about that, and it looked like Luna did not know too. Or else, she would have blabbered about that to her. Mary was told that Kace wanted to send people to the regent palace to cancel the marriage, but why was he still at Munashii Temple?
There was wrath on Ralph’s face. “It’s all because of your third sister being insensible! Your Brother Kace was angered and he fell sick, thank god Gautama Carana has lent him a hand. He says it would be better that your Brother Kace rest here for some time. I’ve apologized to Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone when I came here, and it seemed like the marriage proposed with the Gladstone family would not make it.”
Mary was happy for Luna, yet she felt anxious for her too. She was happy that since Kace was staying here too, there would be more chance for him and Luna to hang out to cultivate romantic relationship. Maybe Kace would even go to the regent palace to propose the marriage with Luna himself without the need for Mary to intervene.
What made her anxious was Kace’s poor health. He was too sick-prone that he would immediately catch a cold when he was blown by a wind.
Seeing Mary frowned, Ralph consoled her. “Have a good rest here. It’s not what a mistress like you should worry about. There would be much chance for you to meet your Brother Kace when you’re staying here with your fourth sister. It would be fine to just call him “Brother Kace”, since we’re close families after all, there’s no need to feel shy.”
Ralph’s eyes went gloomy. If Lenroe was still alive, his daughters would often visit the Gladstone family. Now that the side consort was in charge and she only thought of her two daughters, she never brought Luna and Mary along when she went out for a visit.
Mary noticed Ralph was unhappy but she could not make out what exactly made him unhappy. She pretended to be fragile due to being slightly afraid that she had said something wrong. “Would Amy sis stay here too?”
Anger flared in Ralph’s eyes. “Let her be. She’ll only get back when she has reflected on herself and fixed her bad habits!” He then softened his voice, afraid to frighten Mary. “Don’t worry, with Granny Gordy around, your third sister would not bully you and your fourth sister.”
Seeing Mary actually felt relieved, Ralph’s heart ached once more. He wondered how much had she been bullied in the past until she was so frightened of Amy. It was all his fault.
“I’ll send someone to deliver yours and your fourth sister’s homework here when I return. I heard the people say that your fourth sister’s sewing skill is bad, therefore I’ll let her learn it properly these days. You don’t need to do anything here too. There’s no need for you to practice writing at the moment, just read some more books. It’s still not too late to practice when your wound has cured.”
Mary acted obedient in front of Ralph and smiled. “Father, Mary has brought the writing book given by father,” Mary said, showing that she had practiced writing every moment.
As expected, there was approval on Ralph’s expression. “Good job.” After consoling Mary with a few more words, he yelled facing outside. “Come in, Granny Gordy.”
Not long after that, Granny Gordy entered with a stern look. Her face seemed to full of sympathy when she saw Mary who was lying on the bed with a pale face.
Ralph pointed at Mary and said to her, “Her fourth sister said that she’s hungry just now. Ask her what she would like to eat and get it for her.”
Mary quickly squeezed out a smile. “Father, Granny Gordy has just arrived. It must be tough for her to travel such a long way here. Maybe just let her have a rest first. Luna sis has told me that she has let the kitchen staff here make some porridge. Jewel has gone there and I think she’ll get the porridge here after a while. Mary would be fine having some porridge.”
She had oppressed Granny Gordy back then to remind her who was her master. Yet she decided to use the soft way on her today because to vanquish an experienced person like Granny Gordy, she had to deal with her nicely after reminding her own identity.
As expected, Granny Gordy seemed to be touched. “Fifth mistress has become more thoughtful compared to before to be able to think for granny. I’ve asked Azuki and went to check on the kitchen when I arrived. There are only some plain vegetables here which could not fulfill the fifth mistress’ need now. Therefore please bear with it as I’ve let the people make some soup and it would be done in just a moment.”
An old granny who had lived such a long life was certainly experienced. Mary felt satisfied and she did not forget about Luna of course. “What about Luna sis?”
Granny Gordy smiled. “The fourth mistress has gone mad crying yesterday and her health was in really bad state. She has taken care of the fifth mistress the whole day too. If she continues doing this, she might not withstand it. His Majesty has asked her to sleep now; as for the maidens, I’ve let them have a rest too.”
She paused and continued. “Don’t worry, fifth mistress. Fifth mistress would definitely not feel uncomfortable with me by your side.” Afraid that Mary wanted to seek Angelica, she then said, “Angelica’s also exhausted for having such a long trip. His Majesty only brought Odessa from the Planifolia Garden this time. She has an excellent cooking skill and I’ll let her serve the fifth mistress’ meal.”