Eileenburg (25)
Star Appears (2)
"Your Majesty, Lady Eleanor has dismissed all the servants from Eleanor Castle," Wen reported, standing in front of the Queen's desk.
"Ailian wants to leave?"
"All the invitations for the banquet at Ellen Castle tomorrow night have been sent out." Wen handed over the invitation that had been specially delivered to the Queen.
"Where's Swei?"
"The Grand Duke is still hunting in his fiefdom; he says he will attend the wedding on time."
Queen Angelis placed the invitation down, pinched her brow, and before she could speak, there was a rapid knock at the door. Calvin, panting, pushed open the door: "Your Majesty, a new star map has appeared. My teacher requests your presence."
"Let's go." Queen Angelis, disregarding Ailian, led Wen towards the Star Orbit Observatory.
"Your Majesty, please look up at the starry sky." Wen stopped behind and looked up at the exceptionally bright sky. The blue moon was almost obscured by the stars and lost its luster.
"What's going on?" The Queen also looked up at the sky. Calvin stood to the side and whispered, "My master said this is a brand new star map."
Different stars spun rapidly on the star-track observatory. A dim oil lamp shone on the wall. When the Queen entered, Aris placed the observatory in her hand and blew out the only lamp on the wall. Stars and moonlight cast bright shadows through the French windows.
"What is this?" The Queen put down the observatory, the lights were turned back on, and several hastily drawn star charts on the table appeared in the shape of a flower.
Aris studied the star chart repeatedly, and finally said, "It looks like a lotus flower."
“Where is the Queen’s crown?” Aris invited the Queen into his studio, where a large number of sketches were spread out on the table. He turned around and took out a thick stack of yellowed pictures from a cabinet, placing them one by one in front of the Queen: “This is the original Queen’s crown, this is the Queen’s crown from six years ago, and this is today’s star map.”
The Queen and Wen repeatedly examined the star chart. Wen picked up the latest star chart and compared it repeatedly: "The lotus pattern covers the Queen's crown?"
"yes."
"Go quickly and see if Ailian is still there," the Queen instructed Wen, turning to him.
“If—” Wen glanced at the star map again and said, “the Adventurers’ Guild hasn’t sent any news, which means Ellen is still in Ellen Castle. What if she’s already out by the time I get there?”
"Don't stop her." The Queen made a quick decision. "Go and get her one special pass, no, two. The Adventurer's Guild won't stop her. If Lady Aldrich's men try to stop her, take them down immediately."
"yes."
“Wait,” the Queen called to Wen again, “keep an eye on where they go. If Eleanor doesn’t want to talk, don’t force her.”
"yes."
Ares slowly put away the star chart, then suddenly exclaimed "Huh!" and walked to the window: "Tonight's stars can be seen without an observatory."
"The stars are shining brightly tonight, go out and take a look, Aris."
Queen Angelis, Aris, and Calvin stood below the Star Tower in the northeast corner of Derek Palace, where there was an open space. The grove of trees that had once imprisoned Beatrice had all been cut down, and now it was a small square with two stone sculptures, one of a little girl riding a horse looking back.
The stars still twinkled, the blue moon gradually moved westward, leaving only a blurry shadow, and several groups of soldiers carrying torches ran about the palace. Ares instructed Calvin, "Go and see what's going on?"
"Aris," the Queen asked softly, watching Calvin walk away, "Does His Majesty know?"
“Since Severus left, His Majesty has stopped paying attention to the star map,” Aris said softly. “Princess Denise is determined to get Lord Foncer into the Council of State, and he has completely taken control of her.”
"Lords cannot enter the Council of State. Even if His Majesty personally issues an order, the Council of State will not accept it." Queen Angelis did not seem to care about this.
"Princess Denise's latest request is to elevate Lord Fonsey's title."
"Aris, forget about Denise, her plans won't work." Queen Angnes blinked her sore eyes. "Find someone else to follow Ryan and protect him."
"yes."
Calvin rushed over: "Teacher, something terrible has happened! Mrs. Aldrich's head has been—she, she's dead, in the bushes of the maze garden."
"I'll go take a look," the Queen said, walking towards the firelight.
Wen arrived at Ellen Castle by carriage. The entire castle was quiet; not even a lamp was lit in front of the gatehouse. A slender figure emerged from the darkness: "Lady Wen, what brings you here?"
"The Queen asked me to deliver a gift to Ailian." Wen stepped down from the carriage. "Is anyone coming out?"
"All the servants left in the afternoon, and there's been no other movement. Should we knock?" the thin man asked softly in the darkness.
"Is this the only exit?" Wen looked at the tightly closed door.
"Yes," the man said softly. "There isn't a single light inside. We'll know if someone comes out." Some sounds came from afar, and several people walked over. They stopped beside the carriage, raised their torches, glanced at the royal flag on the carriage, and then stepped back.
"Are they Mrs. Aldrich's people?"
"yes."
"Go and investigate them."
“The list is here.” The man in the darkness handed over a stack of papers. “There are three adventurers, two royal hounds, and the rest are from Earl Aldrich’s fiefdom.”
"Okay." Wen accepted the list. The night breeze grew cooler, and she wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, standing in the darkness waiting.
The blue moon had sunk into darkness sometime earlier, while the stars in the night sky continued to twinkle. Colorful ribbon-like clouds rose from the purplish-black night sky in the east, and all the stars vanished in an instant. The sky was plunged into darkness once more, leaving only a few wisps of white clouds that streaked across half the sky from the east, like birds returning home, leaving behind trails that formed long white lines in the night.
Xiao Wei arrived at the gate of Ailian Castle with several carriages. She saw Lady Wen standing guard at the gate and quickly stepped forward to greet her: "Good morning, Lady Wen."
"Xiao Wei, the Queen asked me to deliver a gift to Lady Ai Lian." Wen moved her hands and feet a couple of times, blinked her sore eyes, and two tears seeped from the corners of her eyes.
"The banquet doesn't start until 3 p.m.," Xiaowei replied, standing up.
Wen handed over a box: "I have other matters to attend to. Please ask Xiaowei to pass this on to Ms. Ailian and convey the Queen's greetings, saying that the Queen supports all her decisions."
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, Lady Wen." Xiao Wei bowed again. "Would Lady Wen do me the honor of attending the banquet?"
“Okay, I’ll come.” Wen thought for a moment. She had already handed over the pass, and if Ailian left, Ailian Castle would indeed need someone to take charge. She added, “I’ll come at three o’clock this afternoon.”
"Thank you, Lady Wen." Xiao Wei thanked her again. Ai Lian had almost no contact with the nobles in Taiyang City and didn't know many people. Having Lady Wen around would be a great help. The noble banquet was said to start at three o'clock in the afternoon. Unless you were a very close friend, basic social etiquette dictated that you should arrive at five o'clock before the banquet began.
"This must be given to Ms. Ailian," Wen reminded her again before getting into the car and leaving.
The steward came out from the back and opened the gates of Eileen Castle, and the carriages rushed in. The men holding torches gathered again at the gate, counting the carriages and people that went in. Some of them lifted the carriage curtains and saw piles of fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit.
Xiao Wei quietly entered Ai Lian's room. There were only a few dresses hanging on the rack. She went to the next room again, stood at the door for a while, and then turned and left.
Upon returning to the palace, Wen was immediately summoned by the Queen. Three elders from the Adventurers' Guild arrived, including Elder Emma. Derek was furious, his neck flushed red. His eyes bulged, his nostrils flared, and he roared incessantly, "Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! Who did this in Derek's palace?"
The Queen came out and asked her, "How is the situation?"
"No one came out. I met Xiaowei and conveyed the Queen's greetings to her. Also, I need to ask the Queen for leave. I will go to help Lady Ailian entertain guests at three o'clock this afternoon."
"Still there?"
Wen shook her head; she had kept watch all night but hadn't seen anything. The Queen looked at Wen's tired face and said, "Go and rest, then go directly to Ellen Castle. There's one more thing: Lady Aldrich died in the palace last night. Tell Ellen about this as well."
Wen lowered her eyes, inwardly cheering, "Good! Mrs. Aldrich is finally dead! This is truly gratifying." She bowed and withdrew, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The sun was high in the sky when Xiaowei went to the door again. She pressed her ear to the doorway and listened for a while before pushing it open. The balcony door was open, and the wind blew the curtains, casting long and short shadows on the floor. Ailian was buried in the blankets, her face flushed from sleep, but Miss Mi was still nowhere to be seen. Miss Mi had been running away these past few days without saying a word, and Xiaowei didn't know what to do. She left the room again, closing the door behind her. Miss Mi would be back in the afternoon, and she needed to prepare the dress. Xiaowei hesitated for a moment, then took out a black dress. It was custom-made to Mi's measurements, but Miss Mi had never tried it on and she didn't know if it would fit. She hung the black dress next to Ailian's white dress, just like always, with Ailian in her white dress and Mi in her black shirt.
The plump cook saw Xiaowei coming and quickly stopped her: "What about Miss's lunch? Miss Mi didn't come into the kitchen today."
"You just focus on preparing the banquet." Xiao Wei looked at the main building and instructed, "The banquet will be held in the annex. Be quiet and don't disturb Miss."
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the housekeeper brought Wen in, and Xiao Wei had to wake Ai Lian up: "Miss, the guests have arrived, you need to get up and wash."
Ailian blinked and looked out the window. There were no more new buds on the mimosa tree; the last ten golden mimosa flowers hung on the branches, swaying in the wind. Her eyes reddened: "Xiaowei, Mi is gone."
Xiao Wei paused in squeezing the towel, then turned around: "Miss, what did you say?"
"Xiaowei, my heart aches so much." Ailian placed her hand on her chest, where there was a huge hole.
* * *
At Derek's Palace, King Derek finally fell asleep. Beth stood before the Queen, listening to her instructions: "Keep a close eye on His Majesty. If he wakes up, give him some more to drink. Don't let him leave." A servant handed her a wine jug. Beth bowed and watched as the Queen's skirt disappeared from sight before standing up.
Wen has returned to the palace and is awaiting the Queen's report: "The banquet was a great success, the dishes were plentiful, and Lady Eleanor was elegant and beautiful. All the nobles in the city attended, including Earl Aldrich."
"Love has not left?" The Queen stood up and looked out the window. The blue moon rose again, and the stars returned to their calm. The brilliant light of last night was like a dream.
"Miss Mi did not show up," Wen continued to report.
How is Ailian?
"Ms. Ailian seems perfectly normal."
"Mrs. Aldrich's men?"
"They are still here; Earl Aldrich has not given the order to evacuate."
"Go and tell them my order: take all these people down." The Queen looked at the night sky. "You spoke with Ailian?"
"Yes, Miss Ailian is very polite."
"Didn't you say she could leave?"
"Ms. Ailian said she was not going anywhere."
"In your opinion, is Ailian pregnant?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
