Chapter 85 Cressida's Countermeasure
After Cressida returned to the manor that day, Miguel's palace soon sent many gifts of thanks.
Miguel claimed he was thanking Cressida for saving Anthony.
Beneath the gold, silver, and jewels were many burn ointments and scar-removing creams.
Patrick asked a few questions. At first he was angry.
Cressida went to Miguel's palace for Anthony's birthday without inviting Patrick?
But when Patrick heard she nearly got killed by the explosion while saving Anthony, and that Miguel specially sent people to thank her, Patrick wasn't angry anymore.
Patrick praised Cressida: "Worthy of being my daughter, you have the same spirit I had back then."
Cressida didn't respond to this.
She wasn't like anyone else—she was just herself.
Cressida knew that saving Anthony would make Miguel trust her even more.
But the night she returned from Miguel's palace, she had nightmares again.
She dreamed that everyone at the banquet in Miguel's palace surrounded her, staring at her.
They all discovered her identity, saying she disguised herself as a man, which was a crime of deceiving the king, and demanded Miguel execute her on the spot.
When Miguel came with his sword, Cressida knelt on the ground begging for mercy—she had just saved Anthony.
But Miguel said that to smoothly inherit the throne, he couldn't have any stain on his reputation.
When the sword fell, she woke up again.
In the thick darkness of night, with the slight warmth unique to May, she was covered in sweat.
This feeling of harboring a secret, like someone had her by the throat, was too uncomfortable.
Cressida calmed herself and thought carefully.
She didn't dare confess about disguising herself as a man to serve in her father's place because she couldn't figure out the attitudes of various factions, much less Doyle's attitude.
Since Novaria was founded, women had never served in the military. Her concealing her identity was indeed a crime of deceiving the king.
But she couldn't be sure whether Doyle would make an exception for her and let her off.
The worst outcome would be that she admitted her identity, Doyle didn't kill her, but also didn't let her inherit the title.
The glory of the Hamilton Mansion would still belong to Clio and her family.
Cressida took a deep breath and immediately dismissed the idea of admitting her identity.
At least not now.
So what about telling Miguel? Would she have a chance of success?
Cressida never fought unprepared battles. She felt she didn't have enough bargaining chips yet and didn't dare take the risk.
But while she wouldn't take risks, she could test the waters.
Thinking this way, her emotions settled down.
Two days later, Cressida took Emma out, saying she wanted to visit the martial arts hall.
Actually, she went to the outskirts.
In a secluded viewing pavilion, a tall figure was already waiting.
Cressida walked over: "Chris."
Chris turned around and immediately bowed and knelt: "Ms. Hamilton!"
He couldn't be careless anymore—Cressida was strict about rules and would be displeased.
Cressida told him to stand up.
Emma consciously walked away to keep watch around them.
Chris was leaving Emerald City. His reporting period in Emerald City was over, and he had to return to the military fortress.
Cressida met him today both to see him off and to make other arrangements.
She told Chris her plan.
"What?" Chris was shocked. "Ms. Hamilton wants to deliberately reveal a flaw and let Prince Miguel discover your identity? Absolutely not! This is a crime of deceiving the king."
Cressida pressed her lips together: "Yes, but even if this is a crime of deceiving the king, General Hamilton's achievements carry enough weight in His Majesty's heart to offset the death penalty!"
Chris fell silent. That was true.
But telling Miguel was really risky.
"If Prince Miguel threatens Ms. Hamilton..."
"I'm planning to help him fight for the throne."
Chris suddenly looked at her.
Cressida said: "I'm already in trouble. To reclaim my title, I must rely on the new king."
After a long silence, Chris bowed: "I await Ms. Hamilton's orders."
Cressida nodded slightly: "I need you to help me with something. The Regatta Festival will be my best chance to test Prince Miguel."
She had thought of a way to retreat safely even if Miguel wasn't willing to protect her.
Chris stayed for an hour before leaving by another route.
Cressida walked down the mountain path unhurriedly.
She was thinking—if she could actively expose her identity, was it possible others might do the same?
Because this was her only weakness.
If she were Clio, would she deliberately reveal Cressida's identity to everyone?
Deceiving the king should mean executing nine generations of the family, but Doyle definitely wouldn't be so ruthless.
At most, Doyle would judge Cressida's merits and faults as balanced and reduce her to a commoner.
But Patrick's title was a special title already granted. Doyle wouldn't easily take it away.
As long as Patrick didn't commit treason, he basically wouldn't be stripped of his title.
The one driven from the manor might only be Cressida.
Thinking this way, it became even more likely that Clio would actively expose Cressida's identity.
Because Clio could both drive her away, ruin her reputation, and leave her with nothing.
"Emma, has mother's courtyard been quiet lately? Has she met with anyone?"
"No," Emma shook her head. "Ms. Cressida Hamilton has people specifically watching Mrs. Clio Hamilton's courtyard, but I heard Mrs. Clio Hamilton has been quietly recovering. When the doctor visits, butler Noah accompanies him to prescribe medicine."
With Clio's personality, how could she be so quiet and obedient?
Cressida promoted Echo's position—Clio probably hated Cressida to death!
She thought carefully. If Clio wanted to expose her, how could she prove it?
Suddenly, Cressida thought of someone—Pippa.
Back then, Pippa said Cressida was unlucky, that at birth she grabbed her brother's leg, causing the male baby's death.
Later, Pippa also handled the dead baby.
But Pippa, according to Ingrid, died of illness after Cressida joined the military.
Probably Pippa didn't really die of illness but was silenced by Patrick and the others.
If Clio found people related to the birth, Cressida would be in big trouble.
Suddenly, Cressida thought of a solution.
"Emma, come with me somewhere."
It was past noon when Cressida returned to the manor.
Unexpectedly, Patrick was urgently looking for her.
"Where have you been? Mabel is sick. Go check on her. Without anyone managing the household for one day, even the accountant dares to bother me!" he said.
Cressida had only been out for half a day—how did Mabel get sick?
Cressida immediately went to the main house.
In the main courtyard room, Mabel's forehead was wrapped in gauze, and Jessica sat by the bed with red eyes.
Cressida walked over: "Mabel."
Mabel opened her eyes and tried to get up to greet her, but Cressida quickly held her down.
"What happened?"
Jessica choked up: "Today was my mother's day to check the accounts. She went to the main courtyard over there, and suddenly a falling roof tile hit her head. Fortunately, the head maid pulled her, otherwise the injury would have been much worse!"
Cressida's arrival gave Jessica some peace of mind. She quickly stood up to give her seat: "Cressida, please sit."
Mabel's voice was weak: "I'm fine, just a cut on my head."
Cressida said: "I'll have someone send healing ointment later."
After some pleasantries, Cressida asked: "If Mabel is sick, does that mean you can't attend the Regatta Festival held by the royal palace?"
The Hamilton family, as new nobility, had also received a royal invitation.
Mabel was supposed to go as the lady of the Hamilton family. Now in this condition, she definitely couldn't go.
Mabel nodded slightly: "I'm afraid I'll have to let Brynn go in my place."
Brynn? With her timid and weak demeanor now, she would only embarrass everyone.
Cressida knew Patrick definitely wouldn't let Brynn represent them, and would end up asking Clio.
Thinking this way, how Mabel got her head injury became obvious.
Cressida understood but showed nothing on her face.
"Since Mabel is sick, rest well. For the Regatta Festival, let my mother represent us."
"Her? I'm afraid she'll cause you trouble."
"She won't," Cressida smiled slightly. "After resting so many days, she should join the festivities."