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hapter 30
Chapter 30
As night fell, Jessica changed into a simple white gown.
Monica looked a bit puzzled. “My lady, tonight’s a formal palate banquet. The Queen might not be happy with your choice of dress
“Do you think it looks bad?” Jessica asked, smiling.
Monica shook her head. “It looks beautiful, like a fairy descending from the heavens.”
“Then why would the Queen be upset?” Jessica asked as she began walking toward the front courtyard.
Monica hurried to catch up. “The banquet is a grand affair, and everyone will be dressed to impress. If you wear something so simple, you’ll stand out The Queen might think you’re trying to draw attention, or that you’re overthinking things. She doesn’t like anyone trying to be too different.
The women of the harem were always trying to outshine one another, and the Queen especially despised anything that drew too much attention
“It’s fine. The Queen won’t be upset with me tonight.”
When Jessica reached the front courtyard, she saw Garbisch standing by the carriage, looking troubled.
“Jessica, please don’t go to the banquet tonight,” he said, rushing
over as soon as he saw her.
“If I don’t go, it’ll look like I’m afraid of the rumors, hiding away in shame. Wouldn’t that just make the rumors seem true?” Jessica replied, smiling, “But if you go, you’ll face so much criticism. I need to toast the King tonight, and can’t stay by your side. I’m just worried…”
“Don’t worry, Garbisch. I’m not the same girl I used to be, the one who needed protecting.”
Jessica smiled and didn’t say more, stepping into the carriage first.
Garbisch hesitated but reluctantly followed her inside.
The ride to the palace wasn’t long, but the carriage seemed to crawl along, feeling like
it
was
taking forever.
Once they arrived at the palace, Garbisch was immediately swept away by a group of generals, who dragged him off to drink.
At first, Jessica worried about Garbisch, especially given the gossip about his injury. Though
well–known secret.
no one
spoke of it openly, the entire Capitalia knew. It was a
Bad news spread fast, but as she saw Garbisch gradually lighten up, she felt reassured.
Monica, standing at a distance, watched him with concern.
But Jessica reassured her, “Don’t worry. I’ve been researching remedies. He’ll get better in time.”
Monica nodded.
It was painful to see such a good man suffer because of Priscilla.
As they entered the imperial garden, both women immediately felt the weight of curious stares from all directions. Ignoring the looks, they followed the palace maid to their seats.
At first, the crowd was quiet, but soon, hushed whispers began to spread. The topic of conversation quickly turned to Jessica.
“I heard her voice was so loud and vulgar, you could hear it clearly from several tents away. I can’t even imagine what the soldiers must have thought.”
“Look at her–her gown is spotless, but… her figure…”
Chapter 30
Theard the tents were drakty, and the curtains would sometimes blow open, imagine her withed craie front-
My god, just thinking about it gives me the chills! Do you think the soldiers saw everything?”
“Does Prince Waldo still want her?”
“Now that everyone knows about her and Prince Waldo’s… intimacy, if he doesn’t want her, he’ll be the one to look heartless
“That’s truel So, these rumors… might actually help her? Could it be that she’s the one spreading them?”
“How shameless! She’s willing to throw away all her dignity just to force Prince Waldo to marry her! I never would have guessed.
The whispers grew louder, and before long, they all came to the same conclusion:
The rumors that had ruined Jessica’s reputation weren’t the result of a malicious plot by someone else–she had clearly spread them herself, all to make herself Prince Waldo’s wife.
When Waldo arrived, those whispers reached his ears, and his usually handsome face darkened instantly.
Walking beside him, Priscilla’s expression became even more grim. “You said you never touched her? Waldo, do you dare lie to me?”
AD
