Chapter 63 Michael Drugged Her Drink
Others wanted to give up their seats for Marshall, but he declined with a warm smile.
"You all enjoy yourselves. I'll go check on the ship."
Before Marshall left, he told everyone very amiably that all bills at Wisteria Terrace today would be on him - he was treating everyone to a good Flower Festival.
Naturally, Marshall received waves of grateful praise.
After that, Marshall left with his people. Miguel glanced at Cressida discreetly and followed along.
Pearl was helped away by servants. Rita didn't dare stay any longer and said to Cressida, "Cressida, I... I'll head back home too."
Rita left with her tail between her legs.
"Cressida, you were amazing," Jessica said with admiration in her eyes. "If it weren't for you, Pearl would definitely have given me a hard time today."
Cressida replied, "Remember, Cameron risked his life on the battlefield to earn his achievements - not so we could be pushed around."
"Right! I'll remember that." Jessica was thrilled, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling.
Peter came over and bowed to Cressida first, admiring her courage, before giving his Shadow Griffin Amulet to Jessica.
"Take this Shadow Griffin Amulet to calm your nerves."
"Who wants your stuff? You should give it to Cressida - she's the one who won in the end."
"Cressida wouldn't care about such a small trinket," Peter said.
Jessica raised her fist. "Don't go around calling Cressida's name like that!"
But Peter just laughed and kept saying Cressida's name. Watching Jessica and Peter bicker again, Cressida couldn't help but smile.
Looking up, Cressida caught Michael's calculating gaze fixed on her.
When Cressida's eyes swept over, Michael suddenly dropped that look and gave her an innocent smile.
On the ship.
Marshall and Emily returned to the boat. Now only the two of them were in the cabin - Miguel and the others were at the bow enjoying the view.
Emily glanced at Marshall and handed him a teacup.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry. Pearl caused you trouble today." Emily's dignified, beautiful face was full of remorse.
"Why apologize? It was just Pearl's unintentional mistake."
Marshall drank his tea, his expression mild, showing no blame.
Emily watched his face and said, seemingly casual, "Pearl has always been mischievous, but she doesn't mean any harm. Who knew she'd run into someone with an even fiercer temper today and get told off? Well, now Pearl will know to hold back."
Marshall suddenly put down his teacup, his smile fading.
"Bullying General Hamilton's sister Cressida really wasn't right. Anyone who meets the Hamilton family should show respect. My father and aunt have been very good to them. The only reason I didn't punish Pearl this time was out of consideration for you."
Emily's expression changed slightly. She immediately stood and apologized, "Prince Marshall, please forgive me. I will discipline Pearl strictly from now on."
Only then did Marshall say gently, "Didn't I say I don't blame you? Get up."
Marshall had his attendants call Miguel and Joseph in for tea, but Emily seemed distracted.
Since Emily got engaged to Marshall, she had never seen him be stern. Yet he warned Emily over the Hamilton family - unprecedented.
It seemed the rumors were true - Cameron had left the Hamilton family with too much credit, and both Doyle and Sophie were finding ways to reward them.
The unmarried Cressida made Emily uneasy.
At Wisteria Terrace, after Marshall and his group left, everyone returned to their lively atmosphere.
Since Marshall was treating, the servants brought out lots of wine toward the end of the feast, and everyone drank and chatted merrily.
Fireworks were blooming outside Emerald City, and from where Cressida sat, she could take in all the brilliance.
She looked up, her deep eyes reflecting the vibrant colors of the fireworks.
Even the night breeze carried the freshness of early spring.
Cressida couldn't help clenching her fingers, truly feeling alive.
From her past life till now, she hadn't watched fireworks in so long. On Flower Festival night in her previous life, she could only stand in the courtyard, looking out through that square patch of sky.
No matter how high she stood on tiptoe, she couldn't fully take in that gorgeous beauty.
Verity quietly came upstairs and knelt beside Cressida, whispering, "Ms. Hamilton, the prince asked me to remind you that there will be trouble during tonight's Flower Festival. He wants you to go home early."
Cressida fell into thought.
She had already told Miguel the plan. As long as he arranged people nearby tonight to wait for the royal capital's second squad to mess up, Miguel could send people to catch the bandits trying to escape and earn credit.
But Miguel having Verity deliver this message clearly meant he wasn't planning to get involved.
What was Miguel trying to do? Was he planning to watch Marshall get punished?
Cressida couldn't figure out Miguel's intentions and signaled for Verity to leave for now.
The fireworks ended, the excitement gradually died down, and below, a musical procession passed by, beating thunderous drums.
Just then, Michael walked over carrying a wine jug.
"Sister, I want to use this cup of wine to apologize to you."
Michael filled Cressida's wine glass, then poured himself one.
Michael looked full of regret. "When you first came back, I was too immature and offended you. Please forgive me. From now on, I promise to listen to you."
Jessica, not knowing the truth, said from the side, "Michael, this is how you should be."
Cressida's tone was flat. "You suddenly grew up?"
Michael smiled along. "I was wrong before, but these past days, I've thought a lot. I remembered that the first time I held a sword, it was you, Cressida, who taught me hand by hand."
Michael's words made Cressida pause slightly.
When Cressida herself was still quite young, she already felt a strong sense of responsibility toward Michael, who was seven years younger.
She taught Michael to write for the first time, taught him to hold a sword for the first time, and personally helped him onto a horse for his first ride.
Whenever Michael got punished by Patrick, he would immediately run crying to Cressida. Back then Michael was so small, his soft little body throwing itself into Cressida's arms.
Every time Michael cried out to Cressida, it melted her heart completely.
But this Michael, whom Cressida loved so much, personally broke her ten fingers in her past life. After watching her become a cripple, he even mocked her for only being able to crawl like a dog.
"Sister, drink this cup, and from now on, our family won't fight anymore, okay?" Michael held out the wine glass.
Cressida looked down at the wine in the glass, giving off an intoxicating sweet fragrance, along with a scent not easily detected.
On the battlefield, to survive, Cressida had long developed keen alertness and sharp senses.
The wine had been drugged. Cressida could smell it.
She looked at Michael with a smile, but saw him watching her without any guilt or nervousness.
Michael's sincerity and earnest apology even made Jessica believe him.
"Michael, you better treat Cressida well from now on. We should all listen to her."
"Of course." After Michael spoke, he urged, "Sister, drink up!"
Cressida said, "Alright."
She tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.
Seeing the empty glass, a mocking triumph flashed in Michael's eyes, though his face pretended to be moved. "Sister, thank you for forgiving me."
Cressida smiled lightly. "Michael, how could I blame you? I'm your sister."
So that's exactly why I need to kill you with my own hands.