Chapter 32 Miguel Suspects Her, So Let Him See Clearly
Cressida didn't make any rash moves.
First, she thought about how Patrick came from a military background, and this household kept a bunch of fighters who were quite skilled.
For someone to sneak in without being discovered, they must have some real abilities.
Emma wasn't in the courtyard right now—Cressida had sent her to find Mabel.
Lika had just taken Echo and Zola to collect this month's wages and hadn't returned yet.
Cressida slowly straightened up, casually scanning the courtyard with her peripheral vision.
She didn't see anyone, but her instincts wouldn't be wrong.
Since this person had sneaked in but wasn't showing themselves, what did they want?
Just then, Cressida heard a whooshing sound flying toward her.
Her ears twitched slightly. She determined it wasn't a hidden weapon, so she didn't plan to make any defensive move.
A paper ball hit her forehead and landed on the table.
Only then did Cressida pretend to look up in surprise, gazing toward the courtyard.
Only the tree shadows behind the rock garden swayed—everything was calm without any sign of disturbance.
She looked down and opened the paper ball. On it was immature, childish handwriting.
[Teacher, when are you coming to the martial arts school?]
It was Anthony.
So the person who came just now was sent by Miguel—no wonder they had such skills.
Cressida felt relieved that she hadn't acted rashly.
She picked up her brush and thought for a moment.
If Miguel's people had this ability, it meant they could be watching her at any time.
Rather than living in fear, it would be better to let Miguel see everything clearly once and for all, completely removing any doubts.
With this in mind, Cressida wrote a response on the paper, put on her cloak, walked into the courtyard, folded the note, and placed it on the rock garden.
Cressida returned to the house and sat sideways by the window, reading.
Soon, from the corner of her eye, she saw someone in white clothes take the note and leave quickly.
Such quick and nimble movements, coming and going freely.
January 14th.
The entire Hamilton family took carriages to the church to pray.
All the noble women of the Hamilton family went, so the carriages formed a long procession all the way to the mountain gate.
Cressida brought Emma and Orla. When they arrived, she held Emma's hand as she got down.
The group followed behind Clio. Rose had just fallen back two steps when Clio turned around: "Rose, come help me. The mountain path is slippery, be careful."
Rose glanced at Cressida before stepping forward.
Probably thinking that everyone around was from the Hamilton family, Clio said symbolically: "Cressida is nimble, unlike Rose, who always needs watching."
Rose smiled: "I'm not as capable as my sister, so I make Mother worry."
Clio and Rose went back and forth, while Cressida's expression remained unchanged and she said nothing.
Brynn had a cautious personality and always followed Clio's lead.
Brynn went forward to chat with Clio, while only Cressida and Mabel deliberately hung back, waiting for Cressida.
"Cressida, are you tired?" Mabel asked.
"I'm fine." As Cressida spoke, she looked up at the people beside her.
Both Jessica and Ethan had come today.
Compared to Jessica glaring at Cressida, Ethan showed a warm smile.
He bowed with his hands clasped, very respectfully: "Hello, sister."
At only sixteen, he was already tall, though not bulky—rather solid.
He had an upright posture, and along with his graceful bearing, he had a youthful heroic spirit.
He had practiced martial arts since childhood and was naturally gifted, taking after Donny.
"Is Ethan adjusting well to everything in the King's Guard?" Cressida asked.
"I'm adjusting fine. I've met many like-minded colleagues, all around my age." Ethan walked to her side, chatting with her while introducing his duties in the King's Guard.
Because of his young age and being new to the King's Guard, he was assigned to the lowest-ranked unit.
Ethan could only patrol the outer palace, which was quite demanding, but it was still a position others couldn't get even if they begged for it.
Mabel smiled: "He's very happy because he found a place where he can fulfill his ambitions. He's been saying he wanted to thank you in person, but since he might not be welcomed by your mother if he came to your house, I didn't let him come. Today he finally has the chance."
Mabel was usually a serious person, and because she often frowned, a faint vertical line had formed between her brows.
However, when talking about Ethan, she smiled warmly, her expression very gentle.
Cressida smiled too, the tassels in her hair swaying slightly in the breeze.
"Ethan is my own brother, family doesn't need to be so formal."
Mabel called Jessica over: "You should also thank your sister!"
However, Jessica muttered defiantly: "I won't. She's the one who got Mr. Noe Lester kicked out."
Mabel frowned: "What are you saying!"
Jessica looked at Cressida: "It's true. What did Mr. Lester do wrong? She just accused him of having bad intentions, and Mother, you believed her and kicked Mr. Lester out."
Ethan said from the side: "Jessica, even I thought those letters he wrote to you were inappropriate."
"Those were just ordinary letters. I was asking him for knowledge, it's not his fault." Jessica was angry.
Mabel was about to scold her, but Cressida smiled faintly.
"Jessica, have you ever thought about why he only singled you out for guidance?"
Jessica was stunned: "What do you mean?"
Cressida said calmly: "In our family's academy, there are over thirty Hamilton family members, plus children from a few other noble families friendly with the Hamiltons—about fifty people in total."
"He ignored all those people and chose you? You're already seventeen this year, having left the academy two years ago, yet he's still been corresponding with you. Is it really just to teach you knowledge?"
"If he wanted to teach you, why didn't he openly invite you to the academy to talk, instead of using letters like this, and guiding you to read romantic poetry? If this isn't seduction, what is it?"
Jessica was speechless for a moment, finding the logic sound.
But she didn't want to admit defeat: "You, you're just twisting words."
Mabel couldn't listen anymore: "Cressida, don't bother with her. She's slow and can't figure it out right away."
Jessica didn't understand, but Mabel, as the mistress of a household, couldn't possibly not understand.
When Mabel heard Cressida's words and went back to question Jessica, she learned that Jessica had been corresponding with Noe all along.
They had been discussing poetry celebrating love—if word got out, it would be devastating to a girl's reputation.
Moreover, after spring, Jessica would need to find a fiancé.
According to Novarian customs, women over eighteen had to be engaged.
Cressida didn't argue with Jessica. By giving this warning, Cressida was doing Mabel a favor.
After all, Mabel's father was a teacher at the country's top academy with many students, and there might be times when they could be useful.
Clio looked back and saw Cressida walking closely with Donny's people, and sighed.
Rose said softly: "Sister really gets along well with Mabel."
Clio: "Except for me, her birth mother, she's pleasant to everyone."
Brynn chimed in: "Cressida is so ungrateful. When Clio gave birth to her, it was so difficult."
Rose smiled at Brynn: "If Brynn could remind sister to kneel in the church a bit longer, that would help ease my mother's burden."
"Absolutely, I'm her elder, unlike Clio who can't bear to scold her." Brynn agreed.
As they spoke, they looked up and had already entered the church.
The priest, along with a group of deacons, stood at the door to greet them.
The Hamilton family's status had risen, so they had sent word to the church in advance about coming to pray. Today the church had been specially cleared, with no other people present.
The priest: "Mr. Woods's wife, Mrs. Woods, is already waiting for you inside."
Clio: "Thank you, Father."
Hearing this, Cressida's brows furrowed slightly.
She hadn't expected Clio to invite Ursa Fairfax as well. It seemed they had made thorough preparations today to push her into an abyss.