Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Before long, a nurse arrived as expected to inform Maria to prepare for the reception room.

Tu Nan accompanied Maria there.

Maria showed no visible emotion along the way, but Tu Nan, following behind her, keenly noticed that her pace was slightly faster than usual.

When they reached the door of the reception room, Maria paused and took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping inside.

Tu Nan followed her in and took a position in the corner.

Inside sat a man and a woman. Their bearing was noble and elegant, marking them clearly as people of high status.

The King’s face bore the distinct marks of time, while the Queen remained beautiful and striking.

Maria walked over and performed a courtly bow. “It is a pleasure to see you, Father, Mother.”

“Maria, it has been a long time.” The King’s expression was stern, showing no signs of missing his daughter despite their long separation.

Maria sat down before him without saying a word.

“You look quite thin.” The Queen glanced at her coldly. “Life in the hospital must be difficult.”

“I have adapted quite well,” Maria replied with a smile.

The King let out a sharp huff. “That is only because we made arrangements for you beforehand. Otherwise, did you think it would be so easy?”

Maria remained noncommittal.

“Maria, I believe you have spent enough time here to think things through. Marriage is your best way out,” the King continued. “I have already spoken with the Dean. As long as you are willing to marry, you can leave this hospital at any time.”

Upon hearing this, Maria finally couldn’t help but let out a mocking smile.

“Father, you really are persistent,” she said softly.

“What kind of talk is that!” The King slammed his hand on the table, shouting angrily. “The neighboring country is prosperous, and that Prince is a man of fine character. Would I harm you?”

Maria looked at him with a half-smile.

When the King met her eyes, he momentarily found himself unable to look at her directly. Perhaps to hide his guilty conscience, he raised his voice.

“Maria, every woman must marry. By marrying him, you can also consolidate the relationship between our two countries. What is so bad about that?”

“Has Father finally revealed his true objective?” Maria said airily. “You don’t care about your daughter’s happiness, so there’s no need to trot out high-sounding excuses. Giving me to the neighboring country to please them is your real goal.”

The King’s elderly face turned bright red. He huffed and puffed, his eyes bulging with rage.

“Insolence! You are truly insolent!” he roared. “As a princess, how can you not understand the duty of sacrificing for your country!”

The Queen handed him a glass of water and patted his back, whispering for him to calm down.

Watching this scene, Maria found it increasingly ridiculous.

Since birth, she had been world-renowned for her beauty.

Skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, hair as black as ebony-her mother had given her this beautiful visage but had passed away early, forcing Maria to become precocious far beyond her years.

The King had ignored her, lavishing all his affection on her two older brothers, yet now he sought to use morality to blackmail her.

“If you insist on refusing to marry, I will keep you locked in here forever. Maria, you must think carefully…”

“I am willing.”

The King froze, not quite processing her words. “What?”

Maria repeated herself. “I am willing to marry the Prince of the Neighboring Country, but I have two conditions.”

The King narrowed his eyes. “What conditions?”

“The wedding date must be set for one month from now.” Maria’s voice was cold. “One month from now is my mother’s birthday. I wish to be married on that day.”
The King hesitated. The wedding date had already been delayed for a long time, and the neighboring kingdom was already growing dissatisfied. If it were delayed for another month…

“If you can’t even agree to this small request, I would rather die than marry out,” Maria said, a sneer playing on her lips as she watched his indecision.

“One month it is, then,” the King finally relented. “And what is the second condition?”

“I want to take the Dwarfs with me when I leave.”

Tu Nan looked at her in surprise.

The King’s brow furrowed deeply. “Those frivolous, filthy things…”

“They have been kind to me,” Maria interrupted him. “If they don’t go, I won’t leave either.”

“It wasn’t easy to get Maria to agree. This isn’t such a big deal, so why not just agree?” the Queen whispered persuasively.

“Fine,” the King said reluctantly. “I promise you.”

“I still have some things to pack. Come back for me this afternoon.” Maria stood up and gave an elegant curtsy. “I shall take my leave now.”

*

“Did you see that?” Maria asked Tu Nan slowly once they had walked a short distance from the drawing room.

“See what?”

“Their hypocritical faces.” Maria walked to a window and stopped, looking at the scenery outside. “He wants to sacrifice my entire life just to ensure his own comfortable lifestyle.”

Tu Nan stood behind her. “Aren’t you determined to…” She whispered a few words.

“Of course.” Maria lowered her head and smiled slightly. “My dear father, I certainly won’t let you down.”

“Before I leave, I’ll give you a positive review stamp.” Maria turned back to look at her. “I can also convince the Dwarfs to give theirs to you. As for what comes next, that will depend on you.”

This was already beyond Tu Nan’s expectations.

She nodded. “I’ll handle things as quickly as possible. But before you go, I’d like to ask you for one more favor.”

“Oh?” Maria arched an eyebrow. “What is it?”

Tu Nan leaned in and whispered something into her ear.

The corners of Maria’s mouth curled up, and a glint of interest flashed in her eyes. After hearing Tu Nan out, she couldn’t help but let out a short laugh.

“How bold. I am a princess, after all.”

“It’s precisely because you are a princess that you are the most suitable person for this.” Tu Nan winked at her. “Please, you must help me with this.”

“Even though it’s a bit absurd for someone of my status to do such a thing, I do find it quite interesting,” Maria agreed. “I can help you with this favor.”

With Maria’s promise, Tu Nan finally felt at ease.

*

Once the morning visiting hours ended, Tu Nan finally had some time to rest.

She finished her lunch and went to feed Eric as usual.

York was now spending most of his time in Emily’s ward to keep her company. As Tu Nan stuffed a spoonful of potatoes into Eric’s mouth, she pondered how to separate York from Emily.

Recess Time in the afternoon might be a good opportunity.

“Mmph! Mmph!” Eric suddenly started shouting.

Tu Nan looked down and realized she had accidentally shoved the potatoes against his nose.

“My apologies,” she said without a hint of remorse. She used the spoon to scrape the potatoes off his nose and stuffed them back into his mouth.

Eric’s eyes widened.

He began to tremble with rage.

Tu Nan had no reason to fear a man lying in bed who could neither move nor speak.

She smiled thinly. “Eat up. If you spit it out, there won’t be any more food for you.”

Eric swallowed the potatoes in his mouth, his heart full of humiliation.