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There was a quiet authority in her words, leaving Hadrian with no room to argue. He exchanged a glance with Katherine and reluctantly agreed.
The next day at noon, the Earl of Southstead and his wife arrived at the Glimmering Tower with Janelle. By then, the entire establishment was filled with guests.
Word had spread quickly the day before, and many had rushed to reserve tables. Most assumed the meeting would take place in a private room, where they would not be able to hear the conversation. Even so, they still hoped to witness any signs of tension-if voices were raised, surely some of it would carry.
To their surprise, the gathering had been arranged in the Elegant Courtyard, which was behind the main guest hall on the first floor.
The Elegant Courtyard was a VIP
courtyard. It had over 30 tables, with a covered walkway in the middle connecting to a garden. It was made up of individual pavilions, but they weren’t fully enclosed. Instead, there were curtains on all four sides, and there was no soundproofing.
In other words, as long as the conversation was held at a normal volume, anyone in the surrounding rooms would be able to hear every word.
Sophie, accompanied by Violet and Cynthia, waited in Willow Pavilion.
A servant led Hadrian, Katherine, Janelle, and their attendants through the garden, stopping just outside the pavilion to announce their arrival.
Supported by Violet and Cynthia, Sophie personally stepped forward to greet them. Hadrian, Katherine, and Janelle quickly offered their greetings.
“There’s no need for such formalities,” Sophie said with a warm smile. “Please come in and take a seat.” As she spoke, she took a subtle glance at the three of them.
Over the years, she had met countless people. With just a look at their expressions, posture, and demeanor, she could usually discern quite a bit about them.
The Earl of Southstead wore a long black cloak over a richly embroidered tunic adorned with golden- threaded patterns of flora and fauna. A thick gold-trimmed front closure fastened the garment, and a heavy string of polished onyx prayer beads rested against his chest.
He looked both noble and devout. Yet as he stood, his body instinctively leaned toward his daughter. The smile on his face carried a hint of deference, revealing that he wasn’t particularly skilled in social dealings. On the other hand, Katherine wore a rich crimson surcoat fastened at the front, layered over a white ermine-trimmed mantle. The color brought a healthy glow to her complexion, and her figure was pleasantly full. Were it not for the fine lines at the corners of her brows, one might hardly guess her age. As a couple, they had lived past half their years, yet they still carried an air of inexperience-people who had relied on a father in their youth and a daughter in their later years.
In contrast, Janelle stood with effortless confidence. She wore with a quilted doublet, giving her a crisp, polished appearance.
fitted gown of deep lake blue, layered
Her features leaned toward delicate beauty-gracefully arched brows, gently rounded eyes, a fine, straight nose, and a sharply tapered chin. Such softness might have clashed with her commanding presence, yet on her, it blended seamlessly.
“You’ve chosen an excellent setting, Lady Sophie.” Janelle’s voice was bright and cheerful, yet perfectly measured in decorum. “I come here often and have always been especially fond of Willow Pavilion.” From the first words she spoke, she made it clear this was a pleasant and amicable meeting. Sophie returned her smile. “I’m glad that all of you like it. I had initially intended to invite you all to Hell Monarch Estate, but our cooks are no match for those at the Glimmering Tower. Besides, the Glimmering Tower is a business run by my mentor, so I thought it might be nice for you to try some of the new dishes they have here.”
“In that case, we shall gratefully accept,” Janelle said with a gracious nod. “We’ll be sure to enjoy the meal.
Laughter rang out from within Willow Pavilion, leaving the eavesdroppers outside disappointed. This… This wasn’t tense at all!
According to everyone’s expectations, Sophie should have been questioning Janelle’s ambitions of marrying into the Hell Monarch’s household. Or at the very least, the Earl of Southstead’s family should have been demanding justice from Sophie.
Even if the gathering didn’t erupt into a full-blown argument, there should have been some form of rivalry or underlying tension. How could things be so harmonious?
Inside Willow Pavilion, two tables had been set, each laden with an array of exquisite dishes.
Hadrian felt uneasy the moment he saw them. This was a genuine invitation-Sophie truly intended to host their family. Yet, only the three of them had come. Would that be seen as disrespectful?
Katherine was even more flustered. Hastily, she stammered an explanation, saying that their estate also happened to be holding a banquet that day, and no one else could spare the time to come.
The moment she spoke, she regretted it. Wasn’t that just admitting that their own banquet had been deemed more important than Sophie’s invitation?
The couple exchanged a desperate glance before turning to Janelle for help.
But Janelle didn’t bother to explain. Instead, she smoothly shifted the topic, praising the Glimmering Tower’s renowned cuisine the presentation, the aroma, the flavors, all unparalleled.
After all, they had come to taste new dishes.
As for everything else? It was best left unsaid.
Besides, Sophie had extended the invitation with such grace, and countless eyes outside were watching. Janelle knew she had gained an additional layer of support today.
From now on, who would dare to casually bully her just because she was a woman?
Janelle took a discreet glance at Violet and Cynthia as well. She knew of Violet’s status, but Cynthia was unfamiliar to her. When she heard the introduction-that Cynthia was from one of the Meadow Ridge guilds-she immediately offered a polite word of admiration,
Throughout the conversation, Janelle maintained eye contact with Sophie, her gaze soft and respectful. Avoiding eye contact would seem timid, but staring too directly would be impolite. She balanced it just right.
When Sophie inquired about her business, Janelle seized the opportunity, speaking in a lively, humorous manner about her experiences. Had she told the same stories with a different tone, they would have been tales of hardship and relentless struggle. But by framing them with wit, she conveyed not only her challenges but also her resilience and unyielding spirit.
Sophie made no lengthy remarks in response, only saying lightly, “If you ever run into trouble, you may come to me.”
With just those few words, Janelle suddenly felt as though all the past insults and struggles had been worth it.
For years, she had fought alone-no support, no allies, no safety net, not even an escape route. She had pressed forward with sheer determination, weary in both body and mind.
No one had ever said such words to her to offer her help in her times of need.
The words she had heard most often were, “We all have our own difficulties, Lady Janelle. You’ll just have to endure.”
For a moment, she felt her eyes sting with unexpected tears.
Once the meal had ended, Violet suggested taking Hadrian and Katherine for a walk to explore the grand courtyard of the Glimmering Tower.
Not far from the establishment stood a bustling entertainment district. It was filled with coffeehouses, storytellers, opera performers, street vendors, and all manner of merchants selling trinkets and delicacies. Since arriving in the capital, Violet had been preoccupied with various matters and had never found the time to wander about. Now, she took the opportunity to send the couple away, giving Sophie and Janelle a chance to speak privately. Meanwhile, she and Cynthia could slip away to enjoy themselves as well. As soon as the others departed, the tone of the conversation inside softened.
They had deliberately avoided that topic earlier, but now, it was time to address it.
Outside, the onlookers-noble guests who had been watching the situation with rapt attention-saw the Earl of Southstead and his wife leave. They immediately assumed that Sophie had dismissed them to reprimand Janelle in private. Eager for scandal, they strained their ears, anticipating a confrontation. But instead of hushed accusations or raised voices, they heard nothing but quiet conversation and the occasional murmur of laughter. If anything, the atmosphere seemed even more harmonious than before. The constant movement of attendants going in and out made it difficult to eavesdrop, so someone simply lifted the curtain, offering a clear view of the scene inside.
Those gathered outside were no fools. They could tell the difference between forced pleasantries and genuine rapport-and from the looks of it, the two women inside were engaged in a sincere and amiable discussion.
What was even more astonishing was Janelle herself.
For years, she had been the subject of scorn, whispered about with a mixture of disdain and ridicule. Yet here she was her words poised, her manner refined. She carried herself not as a merchant scrabbling for status but as a woman of noble birth.
And then, belatedly, people remembered-Janelle was not just a mere merchant. She was the daughter of an earl.
The Earl of Southstead’s family might have remained distant from the court, their presence in politics negligible, but their lineage was still intact. And here was proof-even the Hell Monarch’s princess consort was affording Janelle due respect.
From time to time, Janelle glanced toward the onlookers outside, but she paid them no mind.
When Sophie finally spoke of the ordeal Janelle had been put through, calling it an undeserved misfortune, Janelle merely smiled and said lightly, “You jest, Your Grace. How is that a misfortune? It is nothing less than an opportunity bestowed by fate.”