Chapter 80 She Is Pregnant
In just a moment, Cressida adjusted her pace.
She walked over, curtsied to Sophie first, then looked at Emily.
"Hello, Ms. Gomez."
Sophie asked Cressida and Emily to sit down, smiling at Cressida: "A few days ago, Emily told me that at the Flower Festival that night, her naughty sister Pearl was quite rude to you."
"Emily has been wanting to visit and apologize, but was afraid of being too forward, so she asked me to arrange this tea gathering to invite you here. Please don't blame me for not telling you beforehand."
Only then did Cressida realize that today it was just the three of them.
Her handsome, clear features maintained a perfectly measured gentle smile throughout.
"Your Highness Sophie, you're too kind. I haven't taken that night's incident to heart at all."
As she spoke, Cressida turned to Emily instead: "Ms. Gomez's ear injury should be fine now, right?"
Emily wore an orange-gold autumn dress with a tasseled gold hairpin, her bearing indescribably noble.
Even with just a slight smile, she appeared dignified and magnificent.
"Thank you for your concern, Ms. Hamilton. Pearl is completely fine now. She knows she went too far that night and insisted I properly apologize to you on her behalf."
"There's no need to apologize. I was also at fault - I wasn't careful enough at the time and hurt Ms. Gomez."
Seeing them both being so modest with each other, Sophie was extremely pleased.
"Alright, you two being so courteous to each other makes me so happy. I've long wanted to introduce you two. Cressida, I've watched Emily grow up since she was little. She's as excellent as you are - you two should get along very well."
Cressida just smiled.
"Thanks to Your Highness Sophie and Ms. Gomez's kindness, being able to enjoy all these flowers in the garden truly makes me happy."
Sophie said directly: "Everyone knows I love flowers above all else. The flower beds here were all planted and cultivated by my own hands. Even the royal palace doesn't have such beautiful scenery."
As she spoke, she stood up: "This is Cressida's first time here. Come see how well I've raised my flowers."
Cressida followed. She and Emily walked on either side behind Sophie.
The garden was filled with blooming roses, Chinese roses, and hydrangeas in brilliant purples and reds, their petals layered like clouds spreading out, gleaming with a soft luster under the golden sun.
Among the flowers were sandstone rock formations and small bronze sculptures. Clear spring water trickled down stone steps, flowing into a square pond paved with bluestone slabs. Several silver-scaled goldfish swam leisurely in the water. The water's reflection of the flowers made the estate appear even more luxurious and elegant.
Further away was an arcade surrounded by carved white stone columns. Maids in dark green fitted dresses with snow-white aprons carried silver trays laden with roasted fowl, candied fresh fruits, and delicate pastries, moving lightly among them.
Cressida withdrew her gaze and nodded slightly: "The dew on the petals, the unique charm - only through Your Highness Sophie's devoted cultivation could there be such a magnificent garden."
Emily said with a light laugh: "Ms. Hamilton, can you tell how much Sophie cares for you? Usually this garden is Sophie's most treasured possession - others can hardly get permission to come in and view it."
Cressida immediately curtsied: "Your Highness Sophie's favor - I'm deeply grateful."
Sophie held her hand and pulled her up.
"You're always so formal. Of course I care for you. If your brother were still here - but let's not mention sad things."
She changed the subject, cutting a blue moon rose and placing it in Cressida's hair.
Sophie's eyes gazed admiringly: "Beautiful, it suits you well, Cressida. Do you know that even within the rose family, there are distinctions of prestige and quality?"
"I don't know, Your Highness Sophie."
"For example, this Juliet rose has always been called the 'King of Roses,' magnificent and stately. The blue moon rose in your hair has the reputation of being the 'Jewel of Roses,' elegant and ethereal. One noble, one refined; one dignified, one graceful - together they create a complementary beauty in this garden."
Sophie looked at her with a smile: "You've been back in Emerald City for some time now. You're not engaged yet, are you?"
Cressida's heart tightened.
She knew Sophie had this in mind.
So she lowered her head slightly: "Cameron's death made me value family even more, so I asked my father and mother to keep me by their side for a few more years, so I can be filial to them in Cameron's place. That's why I haven't thought about getting engaged so soon."
Sophie showed an understanding expression and nodded gently: "That's appropriate."
Emily praised: "Ms. Hamilton's filial devotion is admirable and touching."
Sophie: "Look at me, so caught up in talking with you. Come, let's go taste this rose tea together."
After sitting down again, Sophie didn't bring up Cressida's engagement again.
Sophie asked Cressida about trivial matters, such as how Patrick and Clio's health was, how Michael's recovery was going, and so on.
Suddenly, while tasting tea, Sophie asked casually: "When you were taken to the authorities, why didn't you think to come to me for help? Cressida, you mustn't be distant with me. In my eyes, you're like my own child."
Cressida put down her teacup, stood up and answered seriously: "At that time I was inside the authorities' building and couldn't communicate with the outside. Later I learned that my cousin Ethan was in a panic and went to his superior for help."
"I even scolded him for it - being too forward. Others might not want to help, but once he asked, they had no choice but to help."
Cressida's tone was deliberately playful and helpless, making Sophie and Emily exchange smiles.
Sophie pulled her to sit down again: "Why are you talking about him? That's how family should be - when something happens, they know how to solve it. Next time you have any trouble, come directly to me."
Cressida didn't answer, just nodded gently and sipped her tea.
At this moment, a maid brought over a brocade box containing an exquisite jade ornament carved with large blue moon roses.
"Marshall asked me to give this to you. About the Flower Festival incident, he also wants to apologize to you on Emily's behalf."
Cressida paused imperceptibly. From the corner of her eye, she saw Emily's expression unchanged, her perfect, beautiful face like flawless jade, showing not a trace of displeasure.
Cressida lowered her head and said: "I thank His Highness Marshall for his kindness, but I haven't done anything to deserve such a precious gift. If I accept this gift, my heart will be heavy, and I won't dare to come have tea with Your Highness Sophie next time."
Sophie was startled, then burst out laughing.
"You silly girl, what are you afraid of? You're just too formal. Marshall wants to give it to you, so take it."
Cressida shook her head again: "My family's rules - we can't accept unearned rewards, or we'll be punished. Please understand, Your Highness Sophie."
Sophie's eyes flickered, and she slowly withdrew her hand.
Emily then spoke with a smile: "Ms. Hamilton, please accept it. I personally selected that jade. If you don't accept it, you'll be wasting our sincere intentions."
Hearing this, Cressida extended both hands and respectfully accepted it.
"Thank you, Your Highness Sophie."
Sophie's smile returned: "Cressida, the royal Regatta Festival is coming up. That day the royal family will hold boat racing competitions on the Hudson River. Will you come to watch?"
Cressida knew that if she declined again, Sophie would definitely think she was ungrateful.
So Cressida agreed.
After sitting for a while longer, seeing Sophie looking tired, Cressida stood up to take her leave.
Once in her family's carriage, she held the brocade box, leaning against the carriage wall, her eyes deep and thoughtful.
Emma said: "Ms. Hamilton, does Your Highness Sophie mean that she's taken a liking to you and wants you for Marshall? But Marshall already has a future primary consort."
Cressida pressed her red lips together: "She probably wants me as a secondary consort."
Sophie had been married for many years without children of her own. She treated Marshall as her own son, and even Miguel couldn't compare to Marshall's position in Sophie's heart.
So it was understandable that Sophie would gather support for Marshall.
Cressida now represented the only daughter of status in the Hamilton family and wasn't married - she was the most suitable candidate to be Marshall's secondary consort.
Sophie was so anxious probably because Odette's son Yosef was currently discussing marriage with Gregory Lopez's daughter Dahlia Lopez. If the talks went well, they would get engaged.
The Lopez family was a powerful noble house, and Gregory's students occupied most of the positions of real power in the royal palace.
That's why Cressida, representing the Hamilton Mansion, was so important, and Sophie wanted to marry Cressida to Marshall.
Today Sophie had used Emily's name as a pretext to set up this meeting, just to test Cressida's attitude.
"But Ms. Hamilton, you refused Your Highness Sophie at first - won't that anger her?" Emma worried.
Cressida looked at the street scenes rapidly retreating past the swaying carriage curtain.
She thought to herself that she couldn't marry Marshall.
Marshall's fate wasn't going to be good.
But with Sophie's methods, it would be too difficult for Cressida to prevent bad things from happening. She needed to find time to tell Miguel about this and ask for his help.
Lost in thought, Cressida returned to the estate. Ingrid saw her and immediately walked over.
"Ms. Hamilton, Echo is here," Ingrid lowered her voice, "Echo is pregnant!"