Jian Qiao kept his head down to conceal his cold expression.
The two siblings continued their unending chatter, demanding all sorts of thingsâjewels, ornaments, fine clothes, perfumesâŠ. If Desolette had it, and it was expensive enough, they wanted it.
Their behavior wasnât like that of aristocrats, but more like beggars whoâd been starving for days. When they saw a sumptuous feast they couldnât wait to pounce on it, tearing at the fattiest meat as fast as possible.
They didnât care if their bellies would burst.
Jian Qiao listened patiently and nodded from time to time, as if he had every intention of obeying their instructions. He looked submissive, but he had other plans in mind. For the sake of the people of Desolette, he would never let these bandits trample on him.
Throughout the continent of Tortus the number of people who worshipped the Angelâs Tear and were crazy to have it was countless. He could secretly circulate the news that the gem had been grabbed by Lady Helen. After that, he wouldnât have to lift a finger.
Jealousy and greed were the catalysts for struggle. He was certain someone would deal with Helen.
Furthermore, Charles III had many mistresses, all of whom dreamed of becoming queen.
Helen was lucky sheâd become pregnant already, but she was headed for the rocks. If sheâd wanted to give birth to her child peacefully she should have stayed behind closed doors and taken strict precautions, instead of what she was doing now, using her belly to dominate others.
She had no idea how many enemies lurked in the shadows waiting to tear her apart, nor did she know the cruelty people were capable of if they stood to gain.
If matters continued like this, sooner or later she would have an accident.
And once something happened to her, Hall Grande wouldnât fare well either. The interests of brother and sister were linked.
Thinking of this, the gloom on Jian Qiaoâs face completely disappeared.
He straightened his back and said in a gentle voice, âMy lady, I will certainly fulfill all your wishes.â
Helen Grande, however, suddenly shrieked, âOh God, why are you so dirty? Get away from me this instant! Oh no! You kissed my hand just now, you damned pig! If I get sick from that kiss Iâll cut off your head!â
She quickly offered her hand to the maid, who knelt on the muddy ground to carefully wipe the back of her hand.
Hall Grande fixed his fierce gaze on Jian Qiaoâs mud-splattered trousers and snarled, âDirty bastard, get the hell out of here!â
He hadnât inherited the title yet, but he already took no notice of Jian Qiao, an earl. Once he became Duke, how much more domineering would he be?
Jian Qiao backed away and apologized. Though he looked terrified on the surface, his heart was filled with anger. He was really fed up with these foolish siblings.
A charming middle-aged woman and a tall middle-aged man heard the yelling of the brother and sister and rushed out of the castle. This couple was the Duke and Duchess of Grande.
âMy dear sweet muffin, what happened to you?â The woman cupped Helen Grandeâs cheek.
Helen hurried to lean against her motherâs shoulder and recounted her grievances.
The Duke of Grande heard the whole story and immediately cast an unkind look at the culprit.
Obviously, Jian Qiao had stabbed a hornetâs nest. If Helen Grandeâs âfragileâ heart couldnât be soothed, he wouldnât be able to leave this place today. The knights of the dukedom had surrounded them, and each one had a murderous expression on his face.
Jian Qiaoâs servants were so frightened their legs went weak. They were thinking about whether to kneel down and apologize, but then they all froze on the spot.
Even Jian Qiao, who was in the eye of the storm, lost track of his thoughts for an instant.
Suddenly the graceful and lithe figure of a young woman emerged from the Dukeâs mansion along a path full of pines and cypresses. Her perfumed blonde hair fell loosely behind her like a cloud, and with every step the fragrance scattered in the wind, intoxicating. She had the purest blue eyes, the most delicate red lips, and the most bewitchingly beautiful face.
Clad in a spotless white Roman gown, she walked in the light of molten torches, sweeping away the misty drizzle like a Venus born in the foam of the sea.
Her arrival abruptly lit up the night sky.
Everyone gazed at her with fascination, but in her eyes there was no one.
Hall, who had just tried to lash Jian Qiao with a horse whip, flew to hide this murderous weapon behind him. His knees trembled slightly, as if he was about to half-kneel at any moment to kiss the back of her hand with the most reverent gesture.
A blind man could have seen the flame of love burning in his eyes.
Jian Qiao was in a trance for just an instant before he came to his senses, then he darted back into the shadows.
Immediately afterwards the Duchessâ shrill voice tore through the silence of the night. âWhat are you doing here? Get the hell out! The Dukeâs mansion is no place for a whore like you!â
The young woman gave a little smile. In a soft, slow voice she replied, âYou were a whore who became a duchess, so why canât I? Iâm going to marry Rege, no one can stop me!â
âOut of the question! You canât marry Rege!â These words werenât spoken by the Duchess, but by Hall.
After shouting these words he couldnât help but freeze.
The Duchess snapped her head around to stare at him with a look of disbelief on her face. She didnât expect her own son would be madly infatuated with this woman. If they let her stay any longer, the Dukeâs mansion would definitely be turned upside down!
Standing in the shadows, Jian Qiao already understood this woman was Regeâs lover, and she was a dream that Hall would never be allowed to possess.
If used properly, she should be a powerful weapon against him.
Just as Jian Qiao thought of this, a magnetic voice came from behind him. âWhy canât she marry me? Give me a reason, Hall.â
Jian Qiao looked over his shoulder and saw Rege jump out of Lord Duncanâs carriage and stride forward. With burgeoning anger on his face, he held an unsheathed long sword in his hand. He looked ready to go to war if the other man didnât back down.
Hall was speechless.
Rege didnât even look at Jian Qiao, he marched past without a glance.
His action made Jian Qiao secretly sigh with relief. He didnât want to become cannon fodder in the dispute between the brothers.
Rege picked up the woman with both hands and walked towards the ducal palace without looking back. âI can give you the position of heir, and I can give you the wealth of Grande, but I will never give her up to anyone. Weâre engaged, and thatâs a fact no one can change. Hall, put away your petty thoughts or Iâll kill you!â
His unusually tall figure was quickly engulfed by the thick fog.
The woman lying against his shoulder raised her stunning face and stared at Hall with deep eyes.
Hall began to hasten after them, but the old Duke pressed his shoulder hard and warned him severely, âDo not covet a knightâs wife, or you will die!â
Hall stopped chasing as if heâd resigned himself to fate, but his eyes were full of reluctance and greed. He wanted to take everything Rege had.
Jian Qiao gently touched the corner of his eye with his fingertip, a wisp of light emerged in his pupils.
Rege, whoâd made a special trip outside the city to rob him, had just sworn âIâd rather have a beauty than a kingdomâ. Was that credible?
âSuch an epic love story! That was Mia, the most beautiful woman in Tortus. Sheâs the jewel on the turtleâs back,â the coachman said in an undertone.
Turtle was another word for tortoise, so the turtleâs back referred to the continent of Tortus.
And Mia was known to the world as the jewel on the turtleâs back, which showed how widely her reputation had spread. It was no exaggeration to call her the dream of all men. Only a great nobleman like Rege would dare to marry her, anyone else wouldnât be able to withstand the retaliation of successive rivals.
Jian Qiao sighed faintly in his heart.
Meanwhile, the old Duke also sighed. As if heâd foreseen something grim, there were many worries on his face, and he didnât have a mind to care about Jian Qiaoâs offending his daughter. He waved his hand and said, âYou can leave.â
Jian Qiao hurriedly bowed and excused himself.
Helen screamed a warning, âIf you donât make me happy tomorrow, Iâll make you pay!â
The so-called making her happy was nothing more than giving away more jewelry and fancy clothes. If she could empty the whole city of Desolette, that would be best.
Her greed, selfishness, and arrogance had already reached an appalling level.
Jian Qiao nodded his head in agreement, then bowed and retreated.
He boarded the carriage and rode slowly away from the behemoth-like ducal mansion. Only then did the red-haired manservant speak with a trembling voice. âMy lord, do you really want to send the Angelâs Tear to Lady Helen?â
Jian Qiao gently spun the emerald ring on his thumb without speaking. At that moment, he couldnât help but think of Queen Moen.
When the Angelâs Tear was first cut and polished, sheâd sent one of her court ladies to Desolette to offer to buy it. Yes, buy, not demand. Even as a queen, she adhered to the principle of fair trade at all times.
Jian Qiao quoted a price, and after several days of consideration the court lady went away regretfully. They couldnât afford it, so they chose to give up. Not only that, Queen Moen persuaded Charles III to desist from forcibly claiming the gem.
It was because of her exemplary behavior and silent protection that the Angelâs Tear could stay in Desolette.
Compared to Rege, Queen Moen was more restrained and courteous, as well as more generous and upright. She was a very remarkable woman.
Jian Qiaoâs eyes filled with a soft ray of color, but a second later this rare gentleness disappeared. In its place was a glint of deep thought.
A trivial little detail suddenly occurred to him.
A few months ago, the lady-in-waiting had returned to Desolette to buy perfume. At one point she carefully asked Jian Qiao which perfumes should not be used by pregnant women, and what the consequences would be if she accidentally used them.
Jian Qiao wrote all the perfume ingredients that could cause miscarriage on a list, so the court lady could take it back to the Queen.
At the time, he thought the Queen was preparing for pregnancy, so it made sense she would ask these questions. But looking at it now, it didnât seem that way.
Jian Qiao blinked, and the dim light in his eyes disappeared in an instant.
He stroked the corner of his eye with his fingertip and said slowly, âYou know, a crown is an ornament that only a queen can wear, and I believe Lady Helen will never have a chance to own a crown in her life. So she has no use for our Angelâs Tear.â
âWhy? Isnât she about to give birth to a little prince?â The red-haired footmanâs face was full of doubts.
Jian Qiao looked out the window at the drizzle and dense fog and said calmly, âIâll prepare black cloth and a sheer black veil for her. Sheâll need it sooner or later.â
In Tortus, a woman who lost a husband or child was required to dress and veil herself in black for three full years of mourning. That was a law no one could break.
TL Notes:
ç»ä»Łäœłäșș â peerless beauty, a beauty unmatched in her generation
ć„łćź â court lady, lady-in-waiting â female official or female officer who served within the palace
Transliterated names, titles, and placesânew in this chapter: