Chapter 8
“How dare they treat you like this? You’re the daughter of the Marquis’s estate! How could they humiliate you?” Beatrice asked.
Arabella’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
Even Beatrice, her former rival, could see that as the daughter of the Marquis’s estate, she shouldn’t be subjected to such treatment.
But she thought. What about the Farrow family? The very family I have devoted three years of my life to, sacrificing everything for? They have trampled on me, drained me dry, and used me up. How ironic is that?
“Maybe it’s because my father passed away and I no longer have a protector,” she said, her voice catching. That’s why they feel free to treat me this way.” As she spoke, her tears began to fall, uncontrollably–like pearls spilling from a broken string.
She was putting everything into this performance, hoping to win some sympathy from the spoiled Beatrice, so that she wouldn’t make things harder for her in the future, Today, she had no choice but to go all in.
Beatrice glared at her. furious. “What nonsense are you talking about? Your father may be gone, but the Everhart family’s legacy is still alive, and you should never belittle yourself like this, understand?”
Arabella admitted that she had been acting, but hearing Beatrice’s words made her throat tighten. It seemed there were still people who remembered the Everhart family’s sacrifices through the generations.
She had thought that once Alexander died, everything would be forgotten, that no one in Althoria would care about the Marquis’s estate’s sacrifices to protect the land, sacrifices that had almost destroyed his entire family.
And yet, it was this spoiled, headstrong Beatrice who was now acknowledging the Everhart family’s legacy.
“Your Highness, thank you for your kindness,” Arabella said, switching to a more respectful form of address, no longer identifying herself as part of the Farrow family.
Beatrice tilted her head and stared at her for a moment, frowning before asking. “Are you making all this up? Just to gain my sympathy and get me to go easy on you?”
Arabella couldn’t help but laugh softly. Beatrice was sharp. There was definitely some acting involved, but the truth was exactly as the had said and she remained calm.
“Right now, there’s a rumor sweeping through Althoria that the Farrow family intends to demote their wife to a concubine. Whether it’s true or not, Your Highness, you only need to ask around and you’ll find out.”
Beatrice curled her lips in annoyance and glanced at the official delivering the decree. “You speak. And remember, I want the truth–not a single lie.”
The official quickly bowed, trembling as he spoke, “Your Highness, the situation in the Duke’s estate is even worse than Mrs. Farrow just described.
“The Farrow family has uped the military achievements of that concubine’s father to force His Majesty to intervene and make a decision in their favor.
“How outrageous!” Beatrice’s voice rang out in fury. “A concubine is just a concubine–how dare they elevate her above the rightful wife! Has the Farrow family gone mad? And the king–will he really let Charles trample all over his wife for a concubine?”
The official lowered his head, not daring to say another word.
After a few moments of seething with anger, Beatrice turned to Arabella with a look of frustration and disbelief. “Where’s your courage? Where’s your pride! How can you let them treat you like this? Let them humiliate your
Arabella lifted her head slightly, her eyes red as she glared back at the princess. She looked so fragile and pitiful. “Your Highness, my father is gone, and I have no siblings. There’s no one left to support me.”
Beatrice couldn’t bear to see her like this. Without warning, she grabbed Arabella’s arm and pulled her up.
“You’re not lower than I am! And as for the Farrow family–why should they treat you like this? I misjudged Charles completely. I thought he was a man worth marrying, but he’s nothing but a scoundrel
“I’m glad I didn’t marry him–if 1 had. I’d be disgusted to death. Your judgment is truly terrible.”
Seeing Beatrice now focused on Charles, Arabella let out a quiet sigh of relief. It seemed that she no longer had to worry spoiled Beatrice plotting revenge against her
about this
“Your Highness is right. I was blind, working tirelessly to manage the Duke’s estate and honoring Seraphina, only to end up in this situation, Arabella said, her voice breaking as more tears fell down her face.
Beatrice glared at her. “Crying won’t help! Be strong. Find a way to cause trouble for the Farrow family make sure their world is turned upside down
Before she could finish, the sound of clapping echoed from the distance. Arabella immediately recognized the signal.
When the king was out, the officials leading the procession would clap their hands to signal people ahead to step aside and avoid disturbing the king. As she saw the carriage approaching slowly, there was no way to avoid it now.
Arabella quickly bowed. She didn’t speak but lowered her head, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
Beatrice, noticing her, also bowed. But then she realized, a moment too late, that she didn’t need to be so formal. She instinctively wanted to look up, but then caught sight of Arabella, humbly bowing before her.
She thought, ‘If I raise now, wouldn’t it make Arabella seem even more pitiful? Fine, I’ll just show her some sympathy and bow with her Looking up, she saw that the curtains of the king’s carriage were drawn low, blocking any view inside. That was unusual.
The king rarely lowered the curtains when traveling in his carriage. She wondered, “Why is it different today?”
“His Majesty, Beatrice greeted.
A cold grunt came from inside the official, followed by a question. “Who is she?”
Beatrice frowned. She thought, Brother’s voice sounds different. Has he caught a cold last night and lost his voice? That must be it- otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered with the curtains.
Hearing the king’s question, Arabella realized it was time to speak up. She couldn’t keep playing dead. In a soft voice, she said, “I am Arabella, wife of the heir of the Duke’s estate, Your Majesty.
Her gentle, melodic voice passed through the curtains, and Tristan’s hand paused as he turned the pages of his files. The sound of her voice, so familiar and haunting, tugged at his heart. He had longed to hear it again.
But the titles she used–wife,” “heir’s wife–were a sharp, painful reminder.
“There’s no need for such formality
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
As they both rose, they expressed their gratitude and adjusted their skirts.
Beatrice, her anger already simmering, couldn’t wait to speak her mind. “Your Majesty, you must do something about Arabella’s situation. Charles is a disgrace–how could be humiliate Arabella and plot to elevate his concubine?
“This is truly unforgivable. Arabella is the daughter of the Marquis’s estate, a woman of high status. How can he treat her this way?”
Inside the carriage. Tristan raised an eyebrow at her words.
He had expected to witness a scene where Beatrice would berate Arabella, but what he saw was completely different.
He wondered, ‘How has Arabella managed to resolve her past issues with Beatrice and even get her to defend her? It has to be her acting
skills at work
Memories of their time together four years ago began flooding his mind, and a soft smile tugged at his lips.
She was still the same woman–wise, resilient. If only he had ascended the throne sooner, he could have protected her, spared her from the harshness of the world
This matter has caused quite a stir,” he said, his tone calm. “Arabella, I’d like to hear your thoughts. What do you
have to say?”
