Chapter 38
The Queen frowned. “It’s nothing but idle gossip–why let it bother you?”
“Your Majesty may not be aware,” Jessica replied, “but the rumors have already spread throughout the palace—and now they’re stirring up a storm: outside the city as well. People are saying that while I was stationed with the army, I spent every night with Prince Waldo. Some even claim that soldiers heard… indecent sounds coming from my tent.”
The moment those words left her mouth, the room fell into stunned silence again. Faces flushed all around. Even the Queen couldn’t help but blush. To say something so bold in public–how mortifying.
But the King was looking closely at Jessica.
She bowed with perfect posture–so delicate and graceful, and yet, somehow, she radiated a strength that made her seem larger than life.
What every other girl would’ve been too ashamed to mention, she spoke clearly, directly, and without flinching
And in that moment, the King saw something in her–a trace of the fearless presence once carried by the great General Algernon. It moved him deeply.
“I see now,” he said, voice heavy with meanin
family’s reputation.”
His eyes swept over to Consort Adele.
. “Someone is deliberately spreading these lies, trying to destroy both Jessica’s name and the Yates
In that instant, Consort Adele felt as though ice had seeped into her bones. Her face drained of color. But she couldn’t say a word in her own defense- speaking now would only make her look guiltier.
The king’s gaze moved across the room, settling on the gathered guests. His voice was icy, calm but full of authority. “Rumors stop with the wise. From this moment on, if I hear anyone spreading these lies again–death will be the only punishment.”
The banquet hall trembled.
Several noble ladies, seated farther back, lost all strength in their legs and collapsed with a thud.
The King scoffed coldly. ‘Useless rabble.‘
But when he looked back at Jessica, his tone softened. “Jessica and General Garbisch both served the empire with distinction in quelling the rebellion. You are a credit to Novigrad. Stay tonight and join the celebration for Prince Leon.”
Jessica looked up at him, unable to hide her emotion. She bowed deeply. “Thank you, Your Majesty,”
As she lowered her head, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She quickly wiped it away before anyone could see.
An orphan, with no parents to protect her. Her brother’s body ruined. She was as easy to trample as an ant in this court.
But she refused to break. If she didn’t want to fall, then she had to stand tall. No matter how heavy the burden above her, she would hold her head high.
When she looked up again, she was startled to meet a pair of cold eyes–icy, yet tinged with something unreadable.
Her heart skipped. She gave Prince Leon a polite nød in greeting before turning to take her seat with Garbisch.
But one person was still bowing–Waldo.
The King hadn’t told him to rise, and he didn’t dare move.
Consort Adele stood stiffly nearby, tense from head to toe. Neither the King nor the Queen had invited her to sit, so she didn’t dare go anywhere.
The King shot them a cold glance and said with irritation, “He’s injured this badly, and you’re not going to have him rest at home and see to his wounds?”
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Chapter 38
Consort Adele nearly burst into tears.
The King wasn’t allowing Waldo to stay for the banquet. She thought, ‘He’s clearly lost favor with his father.
The banquet went on late into the night. With the King present, no one dared leave early.
By the time he rose to leave, it was nearly midnight.
He’d clearly had a lot to drink, but his mood was good–Prince Leon had returned, after all.
Though Leon still wore a mask, the King didn’t seem the least bit concerned about his appearance. His attitude made it clear: he saw no flaw in the man.
‘So–is the crown prince’s position back on the table?‘ The ministers around the hall all had their own thoughts.
Prince Leon’s return had shifted the entire balance of the court.
Late that night, after one too many drinks, Jessica–supported by Monica–climbed into her carriage.
As they passed through the palace gates, Monica could no longer hold in her excitement. “My lady, you said the Queen wouldn’t be angry, and you were right! Not only wasn’t she upset–she actually looked like she felt sorry for you!”
But Garbisch wasn’t nearly as cheerful.
He glanced at Jessica, brows furrowed with concern. “Jessica, the King didn’t say much, but he knows exactly what’s going on. Consort Adele’s in serious trouble. You’ve made an enemy out of her for good.”
And he wasn’t wrong.
Later that same night, not long after leaving the imperial garden, the King personally kicked open Consort Adele’s door.
