Chapter 100 Let Miguel and Yosef Fight?
Ethan had always been sensible. He watched Mabel suffer grievances and saw Cressida being ignored by Clio.
So he always wanted to carry this family on his own shoulders.
Cressida gently patted his back: "Prince Yosef was just messing with you. Remember, next time something like this happens, just say you're not feeling well and decline. Don't actually go along with it. Even if there's blame, The Hamilton Mansion will back you up, understand?"
Ethan nodded groggily, let out a dry heave, and leaned over the bed to vomit again.
Jessica felt terrible for him. Donny sat in a chair nearby, sighing continuously.
His hand unconsciously rubbed his bad leg.
Perhaps thinking that if his leg hadn't been broken, he too could have achieved great things and had some status in the palace, then Ethan wouldn't have to push himself so hard.
Cressida saw all of this.
"It's getting late. Donny, Mabel, you two should go rest. I'll help watch over Ethan."
"That won't do," Mabel quickly said. "You've been tired all night too, and you've offended Prince Yosef. Cressida, he won't come make things difficult for you, will he?"
Cressida pressed her lips together: "No, Mabel, don't worry about me."
Jessica immediately said: "I'm staying too, to look after Ethan."
No matter how Cressida tried to persuade them, Donny and Mabel refused to leave. Instead, they insisted Cressida go rest.
Their family was united. Cressida didn't insist further.
Fortunately, tomorrow was already Ethan's day off at home, so there was no need to explain a leave of absence to the King's Guard.
Cressida returned to her own courtyard.
While bathing, thinking of Ethan lying alone at a table piled with food and drink, dead drunk, she couldn't help but clench her fists.
Before she came, who knows how many grievances he had endured.
Ethan, who only wanted to achieve great things and not be a burden to his family, had done nothing wrong. He shouldn't suffer such humiliation.
Cressida needed to find a way to divert Yosef's attention.
Also, Rose, who was acting as Yosef's spy, couldn't be allowed to stay comfortable forever.
Cressida closed her eyes and submerged her entire body in the water.
The next day after lunch, Cressida went to see Ethan.
After a night's sleep, he was in much better shape.
"Cressida, my parents told me. I caused you trouble again last night."
"We're family. I'm just glad you're okay." Cressida pulled him to sit down.
Ethan had handsome features and the spirited air of a military officer, with sharp brows and bright eyes.
When he smiled at Cressida, he looked especially cheerful.
"Actually, it's my fault. I didn't dare offend Prince Yosef. When he invited me, I felt something was wrong, but because I was afraid of angering him, I didn't refuse." Ethan felt somewhat guilty.
Cressida nodded: "After last night, Prince Yosef probably hates us now. You need to be careful of Rodolfo when you're in the palace."
"Cressida is worried that Prince Yosef will use Rodolfo to humiliate me?" Ethan immediately understood. "Alright, I'll definitely be careful."
Cressida nodded.
Ethan added: "Rodolfo hasn't been to the palace for several days either. I heard he hurt his arm during martial arts practice, so he's taking leave at home."
"Injured?" Cressida was somewhat surprised.
She had seen Rodolfo's skills in her previous life - they weren't bad.
And he'd been practicing martial arts for years. How could he injure himself during practice, and specifically hurt his arm?
After leaving Ethan's room, Cressida called for Verity.
"When you have time, go remind Prince Miguel to investigate Rodolfo. I suspect he was one of the assassins in that fireworks explosion."
"Yes." Verity agreed.
The way to stop Yosef from constantly targeting Cressida was to make Miguel and Yosef go head-to-head.
The June weather was extremely hot.
The high temperature spread across the open palace grounds.
Rodolfo, leading a guard team, happened to be patrolling outside Doyle's study.
A figure came out from inside and ran right into him.
Rodolfo immediately bowed his head and clasped his hands: "Greetings, Prince Miguel."
Miguel wore elaborate robes with fancy ornaments. His unsmiling face carried an imposing air.
He glanced at Rodolfo: "Seems like I haven't seen Mr. Chambers for several days?"
Rodolfo kept his head down: "Yes, I had some matters recently and took leave. I still have patrol duties to attend to, so I must take my leave. Please forgive me, Prince Miguel."
He bowed and led the guard team past Miguel.
A strange cry suddenly came from overhead, like an eagle.
Rodolfo looked up and only saw a black shadow flash by.
Before he could see clearly, he heard Miguel's voice from behind: "Wait."
Miguel's large hand landed directly on Rodolfo's shoulder.
In that instant, Rodolfo stiffened, suppressing a sharp pain.
Rodolfo turned around: "Does Prince Miguel have other instructions?"
Miguel's fingers held a sachet.
"You dropped something," he said.
Rodolfo was stunned and felt his waist - empty.
"Thank you, Prince Miguel! I was careless." Rodolfo took it with both hands, tied it back on, and then left.
Miguel stared at his retreating figure and let out a cold laugh.
Like a lurking wolf that had found its prey, full of danger.
After patrol, because of the hot weather, Rodolfo was soaked through.
He returned to his temporary rest room and took off his shirt.
His sweat had seeped into the wound that had been struck by the stone.
Cressida had been ruthless - she'd knocked off a chunk of his flesh, so it was healing slowly.
Plus with summer here, the repeated sweating irritated it, making the wound really hard to heal.
Rodolfo endured the pain, fine sweat appearing on his forehead, and rewrapped his arm.
Then he changed clothes, bundled up the bloodied clothing, took it outside and threw it in the slop bucket to destroy it.
Little did he know, a young guard was hiding in the shadows, seeing everything.
At the end of June, the intense summer heat fully arrived.
Echo couldn't stand the heat and broke out in heat rash. But she didn't dare use medicine, afraid of harming the baby.
For her sake, Patrick decided to rent Cool Breeze Manor so the whole family could escape the heat together.
When Clio found out, she was so angry she smashed everything in her room again.
"When I was pregnant with Michael, I caught a cold, and he didn't care for me like this!"
Clio first cursed viciously, then burst into tears.
For many days, Rose had been comforting Clio.
At first she could patiently console her, but later, finding that Clio kept having emotional breakdowns, Rose couldn't be bothered to say much anymore.
Finally getting away from Clio, Rose saw a note on the table.
She picked it up to look and was suddenly startled.
It was from Yosef, telling her to come to his palace tomorrow night!
She was about to read it carefully when Mabel's voice came from the courtyard.
"Is Rose here?"
When Mabel came in, Rose was burning something.
Mabel was puzzled: "Why light candles in broad daylight? Aren't you hot?"
Rose's smile was forced: "Lighting insect repellent. Mabel, what's the matter?"
Rose considered herself a lady of The Hamilton Mansion, so naturally she addressed her the same way Cressida did.
Displeasure flashed in Mabel's eyes, but she didn't show it.
"Your father says he's going to Cool Breeze Manor. It's already rented. He's counting heads now. Do you want to go along?"
"Is my mother going?"
"Just asked her, she refused."
"Then, then I'll stay and keep her company."
Mabel hadn't really planned to take Rose along anyway, so after asking, she left without persuading her.
Rose thought it was perfect that they were leaving. Tomorrow night when she went to Yosef's palace, she wouldn't be discovered.