Chapter 163
Chapter 163
At last, all the guests had arrived, and the Royal Palace was livelier than it had ever been.
The hall was ablaze with lights, goblets clinking as wine flowed freely.
Tu Nan entered the hall with Maria, and the noble ladies around them tactfully cleared a path for Maria.
Everyone knew exactly who tonight’s banquet was really for.
Tu Nan followed behind Maria, quietly searching for Nemesis among the crowd.
At a time like this, where on earth had she gone?
“Princess, you look absolutely radiant tonight.” A voice caught Tu Nan’s attention.
Tracy had dressed with great care tonight as well. Whether by coincidence or some unspoken understanding, both he and Maria were dressed in white, making them look every inch the perfect couple.
“You flatter me, Prince,” Maria said with a slight nod and a smile.
“Tonight, under the witness of our nation’s envoy, the King will officially announce the date of our wedding.” An unusual light flickered in Tracy’s eyes. “I truly look forward to that moment.”
Maria’s face betrayed nothing. She merely gave a reserved smile.
“I believe I should introduce someone to you.” Tracy shifted slightly to the side, revealing a young lady behind him. “This is my cousin, Miss Charles. She is also the daughter of our envoy and came especially to attend this banquet.”
Tu Nan froze for a brief moment and instinctively looked behind Tracy.
The instant she saw the young lady’s face, her pupils widened slightly.
It was actually an old acquaintance.
Emily Charles.
Tu Nan knew she was the daughter of a certain Duke, but she had not expected things to be this coincidental.
Their reunion had come without the slightest warning.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Emily was dressed magnificently, her lips a vivid red. She curved them faintly, lifted the hem of her skirt, and curtsied to Maria. “I have long heard of Snow White. Now that I have seen you in person, your reputation is indeed well deserved.”
Maria also seemed a little surprised. Her gaze lingered on Emily’s face for an instant before she smiled and returned the courtesy. “Miss Charles, you are too kind.”
The two of them exchanged polite pleasantries as if today truly were the first time they had ever met.
Tu Nan’s current appearance was different from the one she had worn in the previous Instance, so Charles did not recognize her. After chatting briefly with Maria, Emily left.
Maria watched Emily’s departing figure, then turned to Tu Nan and said gently, “Judy, with Tracy here to keep me company, you may feel free to move about as you like.”
Tu Nan understood at once and tactfully withdrew.
She was going to find Emily.
Emily was surrounded by a group of young noblemen.
As Duke Charles’s only daughter, her status was naturally extraordinary. More than that, some time ago, Duke Charles had already announced that the next head of the Charles Family would be Emily Charles.
In the neighboring kingdom, the Charles Family not only held military power but also possessed unimaginable wealth. Miss Emily had instantly become a prize everyone coveted, and every last one of them wanted to crowd close and take a sip of her blood.
Emily stood among the crowd with practiced ease, a trace of impatience hidden beneath her flawless smile.
Men whose intentions were too obvious always struck her as rather dull.
As for her previous toy, she had not grown tired of him just yet. There was no hurry to choose the next one.
“Miss Charles.” A sweet female voice, different from the men’s, sounded beside her ear.
Emily lazily raised her eyes to look. She had an excellent memory and quickly recognized this as the Woman who had been following behind Maria earlier.
Judging from her attire, she did not seem to be a Maid. She was probably a noble young lady.
“Is there something you need?” she asked with a smile.
“Princess Maria felt an instant kinship with you and would like to have a proper conversation,” Tu Nan said, lying as effortlessly as breathing.
Emily glanced toward Maria, who was chatting with Tracy in the distance, and a trace of doubt rose in her eyes.
If that were true, Maria would have called out to her directly just now. Still, she was thoroughly sick of the men hovering around her. She might as well see what the person in front of her was really up to.
“Since the invitation comes from the princess, I would, of course, be delighted.”
She put on an apologetic expression and said to the gentlemen beside her, “I’m terribly sorry. Please excuse me.”
Tu Nan got her wish and led Emily to an empty corner.
“Maria never said that, did she?” Emily stopped in her tracks and said coldly, “You brought me here. What exactly are you after?”
Tu Nan turned back. The look on her face gave Emily a strange, inexplicable feeling.
“Miss Emily, it’s been a long time,” Tu Nan said unhurriedly. “I wonder… how is York doing now?”
Emily stared at her face, her brows drawing together slightly as a flicker of confusion passed through her eyes.
“Who are you?” she asked.
Tu Nan took out her ID Badge and held it up in front of her. “I’m Tu Nan.”
The shock and suspicion on Emily’s face deepened. She carefully examined the ID Badge, then looked at Tu Nan in confusion. “Your face…”
Tu Nan touched her own cheek and gave a bitter smile. “Because of certain unavoidable circumstances, there was no other way. But please believe me. I really am Tu Nan.”
Emily did not believe her right away. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Where did York and I first meet?”
“The hospital Garden.”
“What did he give me?”
“A ring. He said his mother had left it to him. In reality, he had a whole drawer full of identical rings.”
Emily looked her up and down again, and her tone finally softened a little. “I didn’t expect us to meet again so soon. How did you end up here? And why are you with Maria?”
“My name now is Judy Carter,” Tu Nan said. “I’m Princess Maria’s childhood playmate.”
Emily did not ask why Tu Nan’s identity had suddenly become Judy Carter. To her, Tu Nan was Tu Nan. Her identity did not matter.
“I originally thought this trip would be rather boring.” She blinked and took Tu Nan’s arm. “I never expected you to be here. That does make this dull journey a little more interesting.”
“Your father is the envoy this time?” Tu Nan asked.
“That’s right.” Emily looked perfectly at ease. “Tracy is his nephew. He begged Father for ages before Father finally agreed.”
“Do you know why Tracy is so determined to marry Maria?” Tu Nan asked, pretending to be curious. “They clearly don’t have much of an emotional foundation. Why would he suddenly insist that it has to be her?”
“With Tracy’s status, his wife naturally has to be someone who matches him.” Emily looked unconcerned. “Maria’s beauty is known to everyone, and she’s a princess. She fits his requirements very well.”
That reason was unexpectedly simple.
“There is another reason.” Emily suddenly smiled mysteriously and lowered her voice. “He wants to attack this country on the day of the Wedding. While the Soldier is relaxed because of the princess’s grand marriage, he’ll seize the chance to take it in one stroke.”
Tu Nan froze slightly.
“Hahaha, you actually believed that? I was joking with you.” Emily covered her lips and laughed, but there was not the slightest trace of laughter in her eyes.
She had not been joking.