Chapter 200: A gold coin or a kiss
Music Recommendation: The Real Work Begins - Kris Bowers
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Emily rode in Janelle’s carriage after sending her own carriage back to the castle with a message notifying Raylen that she intended to spend time with her friend. She couldn’t help but feel a little nervous, primarily because she had never ventured beyond the palace walls at such a late hour without the presence of her family.
Being a princess, Emily had lived a sheltered existence. Her mother had turned livid after she was kidnapped and subsequently rescued, with her abduction further supporting and emphasising the very reason why she was forbidden from mingling with the commoners, as interactions with such people frequently resulted in trouble. In a way, she understood that her mother was only trying to protect her, and she had accepted the life she was born into.
"Did Mr. Ardolf leave quickly?" Janelle asked Emily as they continued on their way towards the town that she was taking the princess to.
Emily turned to look at Janelle, and she shook her head, replying, "He didn’t come to visit."
Janelle’s eyebrows furrowed at this because it was evident the man had been showing interest in courting Emily. She gave him the benefit of the doubt, suggesting, "Perhaps he was unexpectedly tied up with work and couldn’t make it today?"
"It’s possible," Emily responded with a faint smile. However, as she turned to gaze outside the window, the smile slowly faded from her lips.
Emily had believed that she had handled the situation during her visit to the Ruiz’s mansion the previous day. She inquired, "Do you know what is being said in the rumour going around the kingdom?" She was curious about what exactly Nathaniel might have heard. The thought of Layla learning the truth left her with a sense of unease lingering in her mind.
"It is being said that Nathaniel intentionally came to the Storm Kingdom while fully aware that you were here and that the two of you are planning to reconcile. That it’s too soon for someone who has experienced the heartbreak of a broken bond to overcome the pain and emotions they feel. There are even allegations that you have tried to entice him by using other men to get to him. Every bit of that is just fabricated nonsense spun by that scoundrel Marshall; I think yesterday’s slap made him very angry for him to spout such drivel," Janelle concluded, pursing her lips in disapproval.
Emily responded with a quiet nod before saying, "I see... I guess I understand why he was so angry."