Chapter 262
Hughie had been waiting at the back gate for quite some time.
Word had gotten around about Leon’s attack in the hunting grounds.
Now, Garbisch and Jessica are personally leading the Royal Guard to protect Leon. Leon House was under tight security, and without special authorization, gaining access was nearly impossible.
After tending to her duties for a while longer, Jessica finally made her way out through the back gate with calm grace.
“Ms. Yates!” As soon as he saw her, Hughie, who had been waiting for nearly two hours, rushed forward anxiously. “Ms. Yates, His Highness wishes to see you. Could you please accompany me to Waldo House?”
Jessica said calmly, “I’m on official duty and need to stay at Leon House to protect Prince Leon. It’s not appropriate for me to leave without
authorization.”
Jessica wasn’t exactly cold to Hughie, but she wasn’t particularly warm either.
Jessica said calmly, “With all due respect to Waldo, I’m truly occupied at the moment. If His Highness wishes to see me, perhaps he could come to Leon House instead?”
“But… but His Highness…” Hughie looked troubled.
After hesitating for a long while, he finally said in a low voice, “His Highness… has injured his leg. It’s… difficult for him to get around. He… he doesn’t want to be seen in public like this.”
Jessica smiled lightly and said, “It’s just a leg injury, he’ll recover soon enough. It’s not like his whole life is ruined. Why the fuss?”
Hughie felt a tightness in his chest. He knew Jessica was still angry about Garbisch’s crippling injury.
Hughie thought, ‘But she has no idea how gravely Waldo is hurt this time. It might even be permanent.‘
Hughie felt a pang of distress, but the words stuck in his throat.
Jessica, seemingly oblivious to Hughie’s discomfort, smiled and said, “If His Highness truly needs to see me, please have Deputy Commander Josh Sims of the Royal Guard issue an official summons. That way, my visit to Waldo House will be properly authorized.”
“Ms. Yates…” Hughie’s heart ached with anguish.
He thought, ‘Why has it become so complicated now, just for Waldo to see Jessica for a moment? Could they truly never go back to the way things were?‘
Jessica hesitated, as if troubled, and said, “Mr. Brown, you know very well, when I went to Vrahmont Mount to support the troops, it was for their sake. Yet people twisted it into a story about me rushing all that way to save Prince Waldo. As we both know, I haven’t had feelings for him for a long time. These baseless rumors have caused me considerable distress, and even the one I truly care for has misunderstood me because of it.”
“The one you love?” Hughie’s breath hitched, a sudden ache gripping his heart. “Could it be… could it be Prince Leon?”
“That’s none of your concern, Mr. Brown. Such things aren’t to be talked about so casually.” Jessica’s smile remained warm, yet distinctly distant.
She continued, “Please just pass my message to His Highness. He’s a smart man, he’ll know what to do. And by the way, I’m truly occupied with official matters these days. Unless it’s urgent royal business, please ask His Highness not to trouble me again, Good day.”
She really left, without so much as a backward glance.
Hughie lingered outside Leon House for a while longer, then trudged back to Waldo House.
As for Jessica‘ words, it was only after rouch internal struggle and hesitation that Hughie finally relayed them to Waldo.
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18:19 Fri, 13 Jun
Chapter 262
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“The one she loves?” The words hit Waldo like a punch to the chest. A surge of rage burned in his chest, sending him into a violent coughing fit. The metallic tang of blood filled his mouth as he hacked uncontrollably.
Waldo thought in anguish, Jessica has found someone she loves… She really has!‘
Waldo was so overwhelmed with fury and heartbreak that he nearly blacked out.
She said, “I don’t believe it! I refuse to believe Jessica could be so cruel to me! Go find Deputy Commander Sims now. I must see Jessica! I will see her, no matter what!”
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