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“As for public opinion, we should support Ms. Young. I’ll change into formal attire and head to the palace to report to the queen dowager.”
She smiled bitterly. “And to offer an apology.”
Jacob nodded. “Alright.”
As Sophie prepared to leave, Helen stepped forward, her white fur-lined cloak glowing softly in the lamplight. The intricate gemstones adorning her headpiece caught the light, enhancing her regal beauty.
“I’ll accompany you,” Helen declared firmly. “With me by your side, my sister won’t be too hard on you. Rest assured, I’ll protect you.”
Sophie’s heart swelled with gratitude as she looked at Helen, her voice sincere. “Thank you, Mother.”
When they arrived at the palace, Victoria had yet to hear of the incident. Sophie had barely begun her explanation when Helen interjected, “Please don’t scold her too harshly. This wasn’t her fault. Rafael’s absence has left her distracted her thoughts are with him. It’s only natural she might have overlooked something.”
Victoria had been poised to reprimand Sophie, but the words caught on the tip of her tongue after Helen spoke. She glanced at Helen, her expression gentle yet exasperated.
“Go and flaunt your charms to Lady Josephine. I’ll have a word with Sophie myself.”
“Then don’t scold her,” Helen said. “Everyone has their moments of distraction, especially when matters of the heart are involved.”
Victoria was at a loss for words and waved her hand. “Go on now. Don’t linger here.”
Helen curtsied gracefully. “Very well, I’ll take my leave.”
Then, she turned and left with Gillian.
Sophie rose and bowed in respect, watching them leave. For a moment, she couldn’t decide if Helen had vel come to help her or worsen her predicament. Still, Helen’s lighthearted interruption had managed to lift the weight of the moment, even softening Victoria’s previously severe demeanor.
Victoria asked, “Do you have any sense of who’s behind this?”
Sophie shook her head. “Your Majesty, I’ve failed to discern the culprit. For someone to act against the academy-an institution founded under your command-it would either require audacious impudence or sheer ignorance.”
Victoria’s eyes darkened slightly, her tone carrying a chill. “Or perhaps arrogant foolishness.”
Sophie’s brow furrowed. “You seem to have an idea, Your Majesty. Who do you suspect?”
Victoria set her cup lid aside and gently blew across the surface of the steaming liquid.
“I have no specific suspects, but this matter has caused such a stir. The young lady from the Young family is so pitiful. I wonder if she can bear the weight of those rumors.” “Yes, I worry about her too,” Sophie said, her voice filled with sorrow.
Victoria took a sip of coffee. Seeing Sophie’s downcast expression, she smiled and asked, “What’s this? You look like a withered plant, all drooping and lifeless. This isn’t like you. Haven’t you always managed to get through even the toughest situations? If we can’t find out the truth, then let’s not focus on it for now. The fox will eventually reveal its tail. What matters now is doing everything we can to minimize the harm to the young lady from the Young family.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sophie replied. “Before coming here, I’d already instructed Jacob to begin that work.”
Victoria gave a satisfied nod. “Good. I will also see to it that gifts of commendation are sent to her-recognition for her courage and quick thinking in protecting the students.”
The most vicious rumors were often directed at a woman’s chastity. While Victoria’s commendation wouldn’t reverse the damage done, at least it would make those spreading rumors think twice before continuing.
By the time Sophie returned to her residence, she had barely settled in before Violet arrived in a rush and pulled her aside. “It’s about the academy,” Violet began, her expression tight with anger. “I fear this may be the work of the king and queen.” Sophie blinked, stunned. “The king and queen? Where did you hear this?”
“Kevin told me,” Violet explained. “He overheard the king reprimanding the queen, accusing her of acting recklessly. She defended herself, saying that the king disliked the academy too and that her actions were intended to alleviate his concerns-preventing you from winning over the noblewomen of the capital.” The words struck Sophie like a blow, leaving her frozen as an icy chill swept through her.
Violet said, “You need to stay calm. You can’t let Kevin’s name be revealed. If anyone finds out he spoke of this, his future will be ruined.”
Sophie sank into a chair, her mind spinning. She had entertained bold speculations before, but never had she dared to point suspicion toward the king.
She had suspected Kylie, of course that much seemed plausible. But even then, it felt irrational.
Kylie was supposed to be focused on paving the way for Connor. Why would she risk offending the noble families in such a reckless way? The plan had been executed with care, but even so, anyone could foresee its flaws. What if the foreman hadn’t died? What if he had confided in someone else before his demise?
And then, there was Kevin’s report-it illuminated something even more chilling. The king evidently didn’t like the academy either, but his anger with Kylie wasn’t over her targeting it.
No, he was upset about the method she had used.
He disapproved of the strategy, not the goal.
At that moment, Sophie felt a chill in her heart. She found it hard to accept Salvador’s intentions. He was the mighty king, and he was still relying on Rafael to run errands, even sending him to Lunvale during the New Year. Now, Salvador was wary of her for being the headmistress of the academy and forming ties with the noblewomen?
What was even harder for Sophie to accept was that Kylie had resorted to such methods to deal with the academy.
Leaving aside her status as the nation’s mother, Kylie was still a woman. There were so many innocent young women in the academy-what would have happened if Claire hadn’t been there? How many young women’s reputations could have been tarnished? Would some have had their clothes stripped off or even been assaulted?
What was Kylie trying to achieve with such madness? Was it the same reason as Salvador’s-not wanting Sophie to associate with too many powerful circles?
If the whole matter was meant to target Sophie, then why not just come for her directly? Why harm the innocent?
Kylie cared nothing for the purity of those young women.
Violet’s voice shook with fury. “It’s monstrous. If something terrible had actually happened, how would those girls go on with their lives? She’s a woman herself-how could she do something so cruel to other women?!”
Sophie’s throat tightened. That was what hurt the most.
She had established Skye Embroidery and Gracewood Women’s Academy not for personal glory or wealth, but to give women like herself a chance to stand tall-to live without bowing to the crushing weight of patriarchal expectations.
As the queen and a woman, Kylie should have advocated for and supported them.
Yet, she was the one who dealt the poisonous blow.
Sophie ground her teeth harshly. “If it weren’t for Kevin’s position, I’d storm the palace and confront her myself!”
Violet cast her a wary look. “She’s the queen, and you’re a princess consort. You know you can’t just barge in and demand answers from her.”
“To hell with titles!” Sophie snapped. “I don’t care if she’s the queen and I’m a princess consort-calling her out to her face would be worth it if it gave me even a shred of relief!”
Violet had originally wanted to say that this was the Sophie she remembered, the one who would settle scores on the spot. In the end, she held her tongue. After all, for the sake of the bigger picture, Sophie had endured the grudge of her family’s destruction.
It turned out that, with time, people truly could get used to bearing such things.
Violet held back as well. “Don’t sell out Kevin. This time, the king is angry. Aside from Derek, he’s the one most involved outside. So, for now, it’s best to pretend it wasn’t her doing.”
She hadn’t expected Kevin to be so righteous. It wasn’t the first time he had shown such loyalty. He was someone who cared deeply about his future, and when she had first taken him in, she had looked down on him. Now, though, he seemed to have grown on her in every way.
As the year drew to a close, the common folk were busy preparing for the New Year, with every household caught up in the bustle.