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Violet was curious and asked, “Your Majesty, why not just directly grant the marriage between Jocelyn and the third son of the Marquis of Glandale?” Victoria chuckled softly.
“Silly girl, marriage is a serious matter. If it’s not a match based on mutual affection, it will only end in resentment. That’s harmful to both parties. In her current behavior, Jocelyn is clearly not a suitable match. She’s caused such a stir at Gracewood Women’s Academy, and it doesn’t reflect well on her. As for the third son of the Marquis of Glandale-he seems like a man who could be of use.”
Violet let out a soft exclamation. “You’ve really thought things through, Your Majesty. Unlike me, I’m too short-sighted. The only thing I’m seeing right now is that she doesn’t seem like a good person.”
Victoria smiled. “One cannot judge a person’s worth by their actions in a single moment. Life is long, and who hasn’t done a few things they regret? Especially in their youth, when they’re impetuous. Of course, if they don’t recognize their mistakes or worse, refuse to correct them-that’s another matter.”
Victoria rarely gave lectures, but she had a soft spot for Sophie and Violet. She wanted to offer them some advice and share her experience.
She was aware of the situation at Gracewood Women’s Academy but didn’t feel it necessary to intervene just yet. A few bad apples didn’t require her to take charge. The net academy would be fine. It wasn’t going to last long if it couldn’t find its footing without her intervention.
She believed that after a little disorder, things could eventually get back on track.
–
Kylie stormed back to Everspring Palace. Taking a deep breath outside the hall, she forced a smile and walked inside.
Alice quickly rose to her feet. “Your Majesty, you have returned.”
“Mrs. Farrell, I apologize for the wait. Please sit.”
Although Kylie could no longer arrange the marriage, she still hadn’t given up on her plans. She maintained a cordial and pleasant demeanor toward Alice.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Alice sat down. Seeing Kylie’s expression as she entered, Alice sensed that Victoria had already given her a warning, which meant that Sophie must have already gone to see Victoria.
She felt a small sense of relief.
Since the marriage discussion could no longer be broached, Kylie engaged in casual conversation, asking about the Farrell family and all their affairs, before eventually signaling to Alice that it was time to leave.
Alice put on a confused expression. It was as if she found it strange that the queen had summoned her to the palace without saying anything important, but didn’t dare to ask.
As she was about to leave, she paused, casting a questioning glance over her shoulder before walking out.
Kylie’s face immediately darkened, and she gave orders. “Lydia, find out who visited the queen dowager last night or today.”
After an hour, Lydia returned and reported, “Your Majesty, I’ve asked the palace guards. Lady Sophie and Ms. Spencer entered the palace today. They went to Serenity Palace.” Kylie furrowed her brow. “Why her again?”
Kylie had carried a grudge against
Sophie for a long time, ever since Salvador tried to bring her into the palace. Then came the met investigations into Eleanor, which exposed Malcolm’s affair and tarnished the Quinton family’s reputation. The trouble with Ryan and Connor only fueled her resentment further.
Kylie was so enraged that she threw a cup across the room.
“She’s nothing but a hindrance! She’s always causing trouble for me!”
Lydia stood to the side and said, “Your Majesty, ever since she was appointed by the queen dowager to establish the Gracewood Women’s Academy and became its headmistress, she has gained considerable favor among the noble ladies of the capital. I believe now, half of the influential families in the city hold her in some regard. She has become difficult to deal with.”
Kylie thought back to Midwinter’s Dawn, when the noblewomen praised Sophie to no end-how they admired her devotion to her marriage and how they praised her as capable and a shining example for women.
If Sophie was an example for women, then what did that make the queen?
The thought deepened Kylie’s resentment.
“The queen dowager once said that Freya was an example for women. Now Sophie has taken that title for herself. Isn’t she disgusting?”
“Your Majesty,” Lydia replied carefully, “she loves to seek attention and is currently at the height of her popularity. Remember, too much success can turn into a downfall. If things turn against her, her popularity will become a source of trouble for her. The queen dowager is still shielding her, so it would be unwise to challenge her now.”
Kylie’s voice turned cold. “The queen dowager protects her only because of the old friendship she shares with Sophie’s mom. Her Majesty insisted on establishing the academy. The king never fully agreed to it, but he went along with it out of devotion to his mom. “Does Sophie truly think she’s a great headmistress? Ask her how well she can read! It’s embarrassing. Her Majesty values the academy so much, but if it fails, we’ll see if she still protects Sophie.” Lydia’s tone became more cautious.
“Before, Ms. Jocelyn made things difficult for the teachers at the academy. These matters never reached the queen dowager’s ears. But if anything more extreme happens, it will be impossible to keep hidden. If the queen dowager is truly angered, His Majesty will not stand by your side.”
Her words hit a nerve with Kylie.
Annoyed, she said, “I won’t act rashly. If I do, I can make sure I stay out of it. There’s no way I’d be foolish enough to send my cousin to handle it. I’ll think it over some more. You don’t need to keep nagging me.”
Lately, she had been carefully planning an alliance with the Farrell family, and Thomas was the most suitable candidate. Among the. court’s generals, only he remained unmarried, and his command over the military was absolute.
To hold real power, one needed to control the army. Marrying into a family of military leaders was pointless if the power lay with the father or grandfather.
Everything had been going smoothly-until Sophie ruined it all.
How could Kylie not be angry? And how did Victoria know about the third son of the Marquis of Glandale’s family? That conversation had been private, just between her and her aunt. She hadn’t told anyone else. Could there be spies in her palace?
The people around her had been in her service for years, especially those trusted enough to serve in the inner hals. Even those waiting outside in the outer halls were loyal confidants. If one of them were the source, they must have been planted long ago.
How could Kylie investigate?
She was afraid that any mistake in the investigation might hurt her own people.
“Investigate the queen dowager’s people in Everspring Palace. Look into it quietly and see who seems most suspicious,” Kylie ordered.
Lydia lowered her voice and whispered, “Your Majesty, I’ve already looked into it, but I couldn’t find anything.”
“You’ve already looked into it?” Kylie was a bit surprised.
“I’ve heard that the queen dowager has people placed in every palace, so I’ve checked several times but couldn’t find anything,” Lydia replied quietly.
“Besides, even if we found someone, what could we do? If the queen dowager wants to place people or bribe them, it’s far too easy for her. In terms of scheming, no one in the harem can outmatch her. I’ve also noticed that she often turns a blind eye to many things. If it doesn’t concern her, she won’t intervene. Maybe this time, she sensed what you were planning and stepped in because she’s worried about you meddling with state matters.”
Kylie cursed silently. What mother wouldn’t think of her son’s future? And her son was the eldest legitimate heir-was she supposed to allow another prince to succeed to the throne?
After leaving the palace, Violet headed to Skye Embroidery while Sophie went to Gracewood Women’s Academy.
Sophie had already warned Jocelyn not to cause any more trouble, threatening to expel her if she did. Alas, it seemed the peace hadn’t lasted long; the trouble had resurfaced.
When Catherine saw Sophie, she knew immediately it was because of the problem with Jocelyn.
“She has no interest in her studies,” Catherine said. “It might be best to persuade her to withdraw voluntarily. That way, it won’t cause too much of a scene, especially since she’s a young lady who’s supposed to be engaged soon.”
Catherine was never one to be afraid of the Quinton family. She genuinely cared about Jocelyn and her future. If Jocelyn were expelled from the academy, it would severely tarnish her reputation.