Chapter 166
In no time, from the King, Queen Mother, Empress, and imperial consorts in the palace to every commoner in Capitalia, everyone believed that Jessica the legitimate daughter of the Yates family, held profound affection for Waldo.
‘Sure enough, they broke off the engagement simply because Prince Waldo had taken up with another woman and cast Jessica aside, they thought.
“Your Highness, people out there are all saying that… That you were the one who left Ms. Yates,” Hughie reported after his walk, a trace of resentment coloring his tone.
This trace of discontent was aimed at Waldo, his higher–up.
But he didn’t dare voice his thoughts outright. Instead, he whispered hesitantly, “Your Highness, though what they’re saying isn’t entirely accurate, at least they’re right about one thing.”
Resting on the bed, Waldo regarded him coolly. “What thing?”
Hughie stole a glance at Waldo. After confirming that Waldo wasn’t angry, he cautiously said, “Ms. Yates truly holds profound affection for you. Otherwise, why would she venture alone into the perilous Vrahmont Mount to find you?”
Though Jessica had Monica by her side, the girl was merely a young maid, as frail and helpless as Jessica. Having her around was utterly useless, not even for moral support.
Thus, when people talked about Jessica’s daring feat later, they didn’t mention Monica.
In the end, people said that Jessica braved the rebel stronghold single–handedly to save her beloved.
Waldo lowered his gaze, remaining silent.
Seeing that Waldo remained composed, Hughie couldn’t help but add, “Your Highness, when Ms. Yates treated you so heartlessly before, don’t you think it might have been your fault?”
“I know…” Waldo said with a heavy sigh, closing his eyes as he leaned back against the headboard.
After two days of rest, most of his wounds had healed. Physically, he was much better, but his heart remained heavy.
“In the end, I failed her,” Waldo said.
Hughie’s eyes lit up with excitement. “So, Your Highness, what are you going to do?”
‘His Highness is in a difficult predicament now,‘ Hughie thought.
Though Hughie disliked Priscilla, the girl had already taken up residence in Waldo House. By now, everyone in Capitalia knew she was considered Waldo’s woman.
‘If His Highness casts Priscilla aside now,’ Hughie thought, ‘everyone will blame him for being a heartless person.
‘But if His Highness keeps Priscilla around, given her temperament, she will never tolerate him reconciling with Ms. Yates.
‘But above all, who truly holds His Highness’s heart?‘
Waldo didn’t know what to do next either.
He said, “I thought Jessica wouldn’t want to look at me again. I never imagined she’d risk her life for me. With such deep devotion, if I were to let her down again, I’d truly be beyond redemption,”
“Your Highness…” Hughie hesitated for a long moment before finally gathering the courage to ask, “Your Highness, so, who truly holds your heart?”
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Chapter 166
Waldo didn’t answer that.
Adele arrived at that moment.
Seeing her son so grievously injured, Adele was beside herself with anguish and worry, ‘Thank heavens! My son has pulled through!
“Mother, injuries are simply part of warfare,” Waldo reassured her. “It’s inevitable in battle.”
Adele’s heart ached with worry. “But you’ve never been wounded this badly before,” she said.
“That’s only because Ms. Yates was always by his side before,” Hughie couldn’t help but interject from the side.
“Mind your own business!” Waldo shot him a sharp glance.
Hughie sighed resignedly and lowered his head. “Your Highness,” he said, “I’ll go check if the medicine is ready.”
But as soon as Hughie stepped out the door, he was stopped by Aryana, Adele’s attendant. “With Prince Waldo so grievously wounded, why hasn’t that rustic girl come to attend to him? Hasn’t she always been living at Waldo House?” Aryana asked.
AD
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