Chapter 33 Admitting to Lying, Deceived Miguel
Cressida followed her family into the church.
Ursa, wrapped in an elegant cloak and accompanied by her servants, stepped forward.
"Ms. Hamilton, I've arranged for a priest to recite scriptures and preach. Please join me."
"Thank you for arranging everything, Ursa." Clio responded with a smile.
This visit to the church for prayer and scripture was Ursa's invitation, so Ursa had arrived early and made all the preparations.
Ursa's gaze shifted behind Clio: "Which one is Ms. Cressida Hamilton?"
Cressida walked over, and Ursa took out a rosewood bracelet.
"Ms. Hamilton, please accept this. I got this blessed for General Hamilton."
"Mrs. Woods, thank you." Cressida replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Ursa had her put the bracelet on her wrist, wrapping it around three times, then said some comforting words, mainly telling Cressida not to grieve anymore.
Cameron's reputation was far-reaching, and with Doyle's recent gestures, these noble families were quick to respond, understanding clearly where the Hamilton family's value lay.
Clio maintained her smile without changing expression, and also called Rose over to introduce her.
Ursa wouldn't embarrass Clio either. Holding her hand warmer, she said: "You're a good child too."
With that said, everyone took turns kneeling on prayer cushions to pray.
When it was Cressida's turn, just as she finished kneeling and stood up, Brynn said: "Cressida, you should pray more for your brother and recite more prayers for his soul."
In front of Ursa, Cressida nodded gently: "I was thinking the same thing, Mother. I won't attend the sermon later."
Clio seemed a bit worried: "You'll be here alone?"
They were going to the preaching area to hear the scripture.
Cressida: "Emma and Orla will stay with me. You don't need to worry, Mother."
Brynn suggested at the right moment: "There's a quiet prayer area with no one there today. You can go there."
Cressida's maid Mabel immediately said: "Let me stay with Cressida."
Brynn walked to her side: "Mabel, Cressida is Cameron's own sister. Let her pray, and let's not disturb her."
Cressida nodded in agreement.
Ursa couldn't help but praise: "Ms. Hamilton and General Hamilton have such a deep sibling bond. With such sincerity, General Hamilton in heaven would be very comforted to know this."
Everyone left, and Cressida, holding her hand warmer, followed a monk to the back hall.
Going deeper, it became even more secluded and peaceful. That prayer area was completely empty, covered in dust.
After thanking the monk, Cressida walked in, handed her hand warmer to Emma, lifted her skirt and knelt on the prayer cushion.
Cressida lowered her eyes, praying earnestly, letting go of many thoughts.
Until Orla came over, bowing and whispering in her ear: "Ms. Hamilton, I checked, there are no monks around. Would you like to rest in the lounge area over there for a moment? You've walked all this way, and the back of your cloak is already soaked. It wouldn't be good if you got sick."
Cressida opened her eyes and looked back.
The hem of her blue cloak was indeed wet.
"Alright, you and Emma go ask the priest for the prayer for the dead. I'll recite it when I come back."
"I'll go right away."
Cressida walked alone through the prayer area to the lounge area behind it.
Besides the scent of burning candles, the air also carried the smell of holy water.
The reason Cressida agreed so readily was because in her reply to Anthony, she had invited him to come to the church today.
She would find a chance to avoid her family and quietly teach him in the lounge area, making up for the lessons he had missed.
Just as she reached the meditation courtyard, a small figure eagerly ran out from the yard.
"Ms. Hamilton!" Anthony was wearing fancy clothes and a cute hat.
Cressida first explained to him: "My family is watching me closely, with people guarding me. I couldn't sneak out, so I had to ask you to come here instead. I hope you don't mind."
Anthony looked up with his little face, showing his canine teeth in a smile, and said: "I don't mind, I can learn anywhere!"
Just then, Cressida looked up and saw Miguel coming out of the lounge area.
Miguel was wearing a silver-black cloak with black fox fur around the collar, looking extremely handsome.
Anthony said: "My father also wants to watch me learn martial arts!"
Miguel walked over: "I won't affect Ms. Hamilton's performance, will I?"
His voice was measured but had a strong sense of pressure.
Cressida shook her head: "It's my honor that the Prince could come."
Miguel: "Anthony keeps telling me about your amazing hidden weapon skills. Let me see today."
He handed her three coins, pointing to a curved withered lotus in the dry pond not far away.
"Break that withered lotus there. That shouldn't be difficult for you, should it?"
Anthony's eyes sparkled beside them: "Ms. Hamilton, show my father your real skills!"
Cressida took the copper coins, already thinking it through.
She couldn't hide her true abilities, or Miguel would think she was too weak to teach Anthony.
She needed this connection.
Because Cressida had thought it through carefully - both Sophie and Odette seemed interested in winning her over, especially Sophie.
Compared to Sophie, and Miguel with his unpredictable temper, Cressida actually felt Miguel offered more opportunities to be useful.
With Miguel, it was a fact that Cameron had blocked an arrow through the heart for him.
However, once she revealed her martial arts skills, Miguel would become suspicious.
Cressida was silent for two seconds, her mind made up.
She held three coins between two fingers, and though far from the lotus pond, aimed her arm in the direction of the withered lotus.
After three sounds, the coins cut through the withered lotus.
Anthony ran over, looked into the pond, and said excitedly: "Ms. Hamilton cut the lotus into three pieces! Father, look, I told you Ms. Hamilton is amazing!"
Miguel had seen it clearly just now.
Cressida's skills were exactly like Cameron's!
Miguel's eyes deepened: "Ms. Hamilton, this move is very similar to your brother's. I once saw him use just a leaf to take someone's life within ten steps, slitting their throat with blood, very sharp."
Cressida lowered her head: "I learned from my brother."
Miguel said nothing.
How could he not know that this level of skill couldn't be achieved without ten or eight years of practice?
How old was Cameron when he joined the army? Could Cressida have been learning martial arts together with Cameron back then?
Anthony ran over, pestering Cressida to teach him techniques.
Cressida took him aside, teaching him what posture was correct and how to use arm strength.
After a while, an attendant came to take Anthony to the lounge area to warm up.
Anthony went reluctantly, still calling out: "Ms. Hamilton, I'll be back after I rest!"
After he left, Cressida turned around and knelt before Miguel.
"Please punish me, Prince."
"What crime have you committed?" Miguel raised an eyebrow.
Cressida's eyes were calm: "I lied and deceived the Prince."