Chapter 131 Is Bella Infatuated with Her?
Not only did Doyle come, but Odette, Sophie, and a group of royal aristocracy all rushed over.
Pearl, who had brought them here, said worriedly, "Ms. Hamilton let Princess Bella ride that wild horse. It was so dangerous, something almost happened!"
Patrick had just arrived when he heard this. He immediately scolded Cressida .
"Cressida! How could you be so careless? Apologize to His Majesty at once!"
Cressida remained calm: "Ms. Gomez, are you mistaken? I was trying to stop you all from riding the warhorses just now."
Pearl's tone was deliberately surprised: "Why would you stop us? The palace servants brought these horses for everyone's entertainment. Just because you've been to the military fortress, Ms. Hamilton, do you think the ladies of Emerald City can't ride horses?"
Cressida pressed her lips together: "That's not it. I'm familiar with this horse's temperament. This is Cameron's warhorse."
Doyle and the other royals' expressions shifted slightly.
Pearl hadn't been here earlier, so she didn't know. Now that Cressida had said it publicly, Pearl's face immediately stiffened.
"What? How is that possible? How could General Hamilton's horse be here?"
The horse stables manager immediately knelt on the ground, breaking into a cold sweat.
"Your Majesty, it's all my fault. When I registered this horse, I didn't properly check its background..."
If he had known this was Cameron's warhorse, he would never have dared bring it out for entertainment!
Sure enough, Doyle's face turned dark. He said coldly, "Guards, drag him away. Fifty lashes, then throw him out of the palace."
The stables manager kept kowtowing in apology before being dragged away.
Throughout all this, Cressida's expression remained calm and composed. She neither pleaded for him nor complained about her own grievances.
Doyle then walked closer and looked at Bella, whose appearance was disheveled. He scolded gently, "Was it you making trouble riding horses?"
Bella had been spoiled. She had just been focused on watching Cressida, and only came to her senses when Doyle spoke.
Bella hurried to Doyle's side and stamped her feet playfully.
"Father, you know I love riding horses. When I saw this spirited horse earlier, I wanted to tame it. I didn't know it was General Hamilton's horse. I guess we were meant to meet."
It sounded like she wanted to keep the horse.
Doyle scolded her: "This is a comrade who went through life and death with General Hamilton. It's not like the horses you usually tame."
It seemed like a scolding, but it was actually quite mild.
Doyle looked at Cressida: "Cressida, Bella is young and thoughtless. I'll have her apologize to you."
Cressida quickly clasped her hands: "Your Majesty is too kind. Princess Bella is straightforward and didn't know the situation. I don't take it to heart, and please don't blame her either."
Doyle nodded at her approvingly, then turned to scold Bella.
"Did you hear that? Cressida isn't holding it against you. Don't make trouble like this again."
"I understand, Father." Bella looked over at Cressida, seemed to think of something, zoned out, then her cheeks turned slightly red.
Taking this opportunity, Cressida said, "I'd like to ask Your Majesty for a favor—to let me take Cameron's warhorse home."
Patrick thought it was embarrassing for her to ask Doyle for just a horse.
He frowned: "Cressida, you..."
Cressida didn't even look at Patrick. She interrupted directly and continued: "Starlight was Cameron's comrade on the battlefield. If we think of it as a person, it's already a veteran. Now that Cameron is gone, I want to take care of Starlight's remaining years for him."
Sophie nodded with a smile: "Cressida, I wasn't wrong about you. You truly value loyalty and righteousness!"
Odette looked at Doyle: "Doyle, please agree. It would comfort General Hamilton's spirit."
Amid the many emotional responses, Doyle nodded: "This was your brother's warhorse to begin with. You should take it. When the banquet ends, take it home."
Cressida clasped her hands: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Suddenly, Miguel spoke up: "The belongings General Hamilton left in the palace aren't limited to just this horse."
Doyle raised his eyebrows: "Miguel, you know of others?"
Miguel's eyes were calm as he said, "Last time I heard there was also a set of General Hamilton's armor."
Doyle looked at the guards. One immediately stepped forward and clasped his hands: "That's correct. We just finished cataloging General Hamilton's belongings and were planning to send them to The Hamilton Mansion on a chosen day."
Doyle put his hands behind his back: "Don't wait for another day. Do it today. Let Cressida take everything back together."
"Yes, I'll give the order right away."
After handling these matters, Doyle cheerfully invited everyone to the banquet.
Cressida looked up and met Miguel's slightly raised eyes.
He gave her a look, as if asking why she wasn't wearing the clothes he had sent.
Cressida nodded back in acknowledgment.
Those clothes were too flashy, with overly bright colors. She didn't like them.
Just then, a playful voice came from beside her.
"Cressida, your skills just now were really impressive. Beyond my expectations."
Cressida turned to see it was Bella, who still hadn't left.
"Princess Bella is too kind. It was just a small trick."
"Why are you so modest? It seems I misunderstood you before. I thought you were an incompetent person who acted arrogant in Emerald City based on Cameron's glory. I didn't expect you siblings to be equally excellent."
When mentioning Cameron, Bella's own face turned red first.
Cressida's eyes remained calm: "I can't compare to Cameron."
"Of course !" Bella twisted a strand of hair on her chest, her eyes full of affection. "Cameron was the best general, number one in my heart!"
Cressida was very puzzled.
I don't think I've met Bella before, have I?
Where is this adoring expression coming from?
The next moment, she heard Bella say: "Only someone like Cameron, a prodigy, is worthy of being my husband. It's just such a pity... Cressida, do you know? I almost became Cameron's wife."
Cressida fell silent.
No wonder I was so surprised when I suddenly heard about Doyle arranging a marriage.
Bella probably asked for it herself.
And Doyle also wanted to reduce my military power, so he agreed.
Seeing Cressida not speaking, Bella looked at her handsome, clear face—half lit by light, half hidden in shadow.
Bella thought to herself that since Cressida and Cameron were twins, they naturally looked identical.
So when I see Cressida, I can imagine what kind of handsome, spirited young general Cameron must have been.
Cameron must have been strikingly handsome and imposing.
Bella suddenly grabbed Cressida's hand.
Cressida flinched, almost instinctively about to flip Bella over her shoulder.
But she saw Bella's eyes filled with tears, along with a certain determination.
"Alright, I know mentioning Cameron must make you sad. How could I not feel the same? From now on in Emerald City, I'll protect you. If anyone dares bully you, I won't let them get away with it!"
Cressida paused, almost amused.
"Princess Bella..."
"The banquet is about to start. Come on, sit next to me."
Bella forcefully pulled Cressida toward the banquet hall.
Watching their figures disappear, Pearl bit her lip and laughed.
"Cressida really knows how to cozy up to the powerful. Her fawning is disgusting to watch."
Emily stopped ahead and waited for them. Hearing this, she gently scolded: "Pearl, don't talk nonsense."
Emily caught sight of Madeline approaching. She lowered her voice, but loud enough for the nearby ladies to hear.
"Prince Yosef did visit The Hamilton Mansion before leaving Emerald City, but he went to see Mr. Hamilton. Don't believe other rumors, and don't discuss them anymore. Let's go."
They left, but Madeline frowned, displeasure rising in her eyes.
She instructed her maid: "When we get back, find out who Prince Yosef really went to see at The Hamilton Mansion before leaving Emerald City."
Madeline twisted her handkerchief, burning with jealousy.
I still can't forget—the day Yosef left Emerald City, I went all the way to the dock to see him off, wanting to tell him I'd wait for him to return from his territory.
But when Yosef saw me, he was so perfunctory and cold. He barely said two words before leaving.
We're discussing marriage, just waiting for Doyle to officially arrange it, yet Yosef is so distant with me. There must be a reason.
At the banquet.
Everyone raised their glasses, relationships between factions drawing closer, though most of it was just social performance.
Several princes took turns toasting Doyle.
When it was Miguel's turn, Sophie said with a smile: "Miguel, with all these ladies here, my eyes are dazzled. Is there any girl who catches your eye?"
Miguel wore dark formal attire, gold thread patterns gleaming sharply in the candlelight.
He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a tall, upright figure.
Hearing Sophie's question, his eyes were deep, with just a hint of a smile.
He set his wine glass on the table. The surrounding noise gradually quieted.
Everyone heard Miguel's voice, low and sharp: "No need to choose, Aunt. I already have someone in my heart."
Doyle and Sophie exchanged glances.
Sophie was delighted: "Really? Who is she? Is she here?"