Chapter 6
795words
Hector wore black formal attire, with a grave expression, as if attending a funeral.
Selina chose a light pink gown, trying hard to appear delicate and charming.
Inside the carriage, there was complete silence.
Looking at Selina's nervous face, I spoke.
"Remember, when meeting the Queen Dowager today, you must be respectful and courteous." She nodded quickly, a flash of panic crossing her eyes.
She probably couldn't understand why I was suddenly being so "kind."
But the unease in her heart was about to devour her.
Inside the palace, the Chief Lady-in-Waiting was chatting with the Queen Dowager.
She wore a magnificent purple court gown, adorned with a small diamond tiara, her beauty tinged with arrogance.
Seeing me enter, a flash of undisguised disgust crossed her face.
Immediately, her gaze passed over me and saw the pink figure behind me.
"Cousin!" Winterborne's expression changed as she quickly walked over and grabbed Selina's hand.
"How did you become so thin?"
Selina's eyes reddened as she pouted with grievance.
"Cousin, I…"
"It's all my fault," Hector promptly stepped forward and bowed, assuming a passionate posture. "I'm the one who made her suffer."
Winterborne turned to me, her tone sharp. "Duchess, you are truly tolerant."
I smiled calmly. "Harmony makes a happy home, doesn't it?"
"Winterborne!" From the throne, the Queen Dowager gave her a warning glance.
No matter how unwilling she was, she could only lower her head and close her mouth.
Only then did the Queen Dowager slowly speak.
"You and your cousin haven't seen each other for a long time, why don't you two go catch up?"
"Conveniently, Lady Celeste has arrived, she can keep me company here."
Winterborne couldn't wait to leave.
Who would want to keep this gloomy old woman company?
She immediately controlled her expression and gracefully curtsied to the Queen Dowager. "Yes."
She pulled Selina along and walked out without looking back.
After she and Selina left, only Hector and I remained in the Queen Dowager's chambers.
The Queen Dowager sat upright in her high-backed chair, her expression stern, her gaze lingering on Hector for a moment.
"Duke, did you understand what the Archbishop said yesterday?"
A flash of humiliation crossed Hector's face as he bowed and said, "I understand."
The Queen Dowager said, "It's fine for young people to make mistakes, as long as they can correct them."
They chatted intermittently until noon when suddenly a guard hurriedly entered, knelt down and reported something in a low voice.
The Queen Dowager's face instantly darkened.
"What?"
"Your Majesty, the lady-in-waiting… she had a miscarriage."
The entire hall fell into a deathly silence.
The Queen Dowager abruptly stood up: "What happened?"
"According to the maid, she was pushed and hit her head on the corner of the table…"
"Who did it?"
The guard carefully glanced at the people present: "It's said… it was Lady Selina from the House of Celeste."
The Queen Dowager closed her eyes briefly. "Someone come here, I want to see what this is all about!"
When they arrived at the scene, Selina was kneeling outside the door, her face deathly pale, her body swaying unsteadily.
Inside the door, physicians were moving back and forth with basins of bloody water.
"No… it wasn't me!" Selina looked at the Queen Dowager in terror. "I only touched her lightly, she fell against it herself!"
Hector's expression became extremely unpleasant.
"How utterly reckless!" The Queen Dowager's voice was like frost.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger!" Hector immediately knelt down. "There must be a misunderstanding in this matter. Selina, she…"
"A misunderstanding?" The Queen Dowager sneered. "A royal bloodline has been harmed, and you call this a misunderstanding?"
At this moment, the Queen also hurriedly arrived with a group of noble ladies.
While the Queen Dowager wasn't paying attention, the Queen and I exchanged a knowing glance.
"Mother, I've heard about the lady-in-waiting," the Queen's tone carried a hint of regret. "Poor child…"
"Your Majesty, I'm willing to take full responsibility!" Hector knelt on the ground, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
"You take responsibility?" the Queen Dowager sneered. "Can you bear the loss of face to the royal family?"
Hector raised his head, tears welling in his eyes, "Although Selina made a mistake, it was unintentional after all. Could you perhaps consider…"
"Unintentional?" the Queen Dowager coldly interrupted. "Duke, you've truly been blinded by lust! I think you should pass your position to Arthur sooner rather than later."
"Guards," the Queen Dowager ordered coldly, "Take Selina to the dungeon and await His Majesty the King's judgment when he returns."
As Selina was dragged away, she looked desperately at Hector: "Duke! Save me!"
