"Lord Howarth."
Yorick's voice was sharper than usual.
"Set her down carefully."
Howarth was still supporting Josselyn, who had nearly collapsed into his arms. He tilted his head slightly, studying her face with a raised brow.
"I didn't know a royal healer could faint this easily."
"I'm not fainting," Josselyn muttered quickly.
"Then you almost did."
Howarth narrowed his eyes, then suddenly stopped speaking. His gaze shifted to her temple.
"Wait."
"What?"
"Howarth?" Yorick asked impatiently.
Howarth lifted his hand and brushed a few loose strands of Josselyn's hair aside with his fingertips.
"Why is there blood here?"
Josselyn stiffened. She was about to pull her bangs back into place, but her hand was suddenly stopped.
Yorick was already beside her. He held her wrist and leaned in to examine the wound more closely.
"Good God…"
He let out a sharp breath.
"You two look like bees fighting over nectar," Sebastian remarked.
Josselyn immediately pulled away from Howarth's arms and stepped back.
"I'm fine," she said quickly.
"Fine?" Yorick looked at her in disbelief.
"That's an open wound."
"It's just a scratch."
"Where did you get it? It's fresh."
Josselyn didn't answer. The image of Killian gripping the back of her neck in his chamber flashed through her mind.
Her heart pounded harder.
No. They must not know about this.
Howarth raised a brow. "Interesting."
"What's interesting?" Yorick scoffed.
Howarth shrugged casually. "Someone might be starting to take an interest in troubling Josselyn."
Josselyn's breath nearly stopped. She feared Howarth had noticed something.
Fortunately, Yorick ignored the remark. He had already taken out a small box from his pocket.
"I need to clean it."
"I already applied medicine earlier."
Yorick paused, glancing at her temple again.
"But it hasn't dried yet—"
"I'll apply it again, I promise."
"Josselyn—"
"I don't have time."
Howarth leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"What's the hurry?"
Josselyn looked toward the exit of the herbal room.
"I have to go."
"Go where?" Yorick asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
"There's something I need to take care of," she replied vaguely.
"Because of Count Edmund?" Yorick guessed.
Josselyn didn't answer.
Sebastian, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "I can accompany you."
All eyes turned to him.
Josselyn shook her head quickly.
"That won't be necessary, sir."
"Howarth may be right," Sebastian said flatly, his gaze lingering on the wound at her temple. "Someone might be trying to harm you. There's no harm in having someone by your side."
They're misunderstanding everything.
Josselyn groaned inwardly.
She was frustrated. She wanted to explain the wound on her temple, but that would expose the "secret" between her and the Crown Prince.
"I can go alone. Thank you."
She didn't wait any longer. She turned and quickly walked toward the door.
"Josselyn," Howarth called casually.
She stopped.
He smirked.
"Don't faint. I won't be there to catch you."
"I'll be fine."
"Good." Howarth lifted both brows and smiled.
Josselyn ignored him and left.
The palace corridor felt longer than usual. Her steps were quick, until she nearly collided with two figures turning the corner.
She stopped abruptly. Her heart slammed against her chest.
"Ah."
The voice sounded familiar.
"So it's true."
Count Edmund smiled broadly.
"My most admirable niece."
Josselyn stared at him without expression. Her heart pounded violently. Her palms were cold. Her legs trembled, almost giving out beneath her.
But she clenched her hands tightly. No. I have to stay standing.
Beside him stood a woman in a dark purple gown.
Viscountess Arabella.
Arabella looked Josselyn up and down with a disdainful gaze.
"So this is her."
Edmund lifted his hand as if presenting something valuable.
"Look at her. Doesn't she look remarkable?"
Arabella scoffed.
"Remarkable? She's been living in the palace, yet she still looks like a sewer rat."
Josselyn bit her lip at Arabella's remark.
Today she wore a simple moss-green dress provided by the palace. The fabric was soft, far better than the rough clothes her uncle used to give her.
She ignored the comment and turned to Edmund.
"What are you doing in the palace, Uncle?"
Edmund chuckled.
"Straight to the point? No warm greeting? Don't you miss us?"
Every word from Count Edmund made Josselyn's stomach churn.
"We've never had that kind of relationship."
Arabella gave a thin smile. "She's right."
Edmund shot his wife a brief glance.
"Arabella."
The woman shrugged.
Edmund turned back to Josselyn with a smile that was far too sweet.
"I only came for a small matter."
"What matter?"
"First of all, of course I wanted to see you."
Josselyn looked at him flatly.
"You can state your real purpose."
Arabella let out a soft laugh and looked at Josselyn with clear disgust.
"Why would he come all this way just to see you?"
Edmund turned sharply.
"Arabella."
"Sorry," she said, not sounding sorry at all.
Edmund sighed, then gently patted Josselyn's shoulder.
"Don't listen to her."
That touch made Josselyn's entire body tense. It was as if old memories suddenly gripped her shoulders again. She instinctively stepped back.
"I truly missed you."
Josselyn didn't move.
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Since when?"
Edmund chuckled softly.
"You're always so cynical. Just like your mother."
Arabella cut in again, clearly impatient.
"My daughter attended the palace's matchmaking banquet yesterday."
Josselyn frowned. Her mind traced back to that event, the night the Crown Prince drew his sword, the beginning of all the chaos.
"What was Clarisse doing there?
Arabella crossed her arms.
"That event was supposed to be a perfect opportunity for her."
Edmund nodded in agreement.
"She's a very beautiful girl. Gentle. Fashionable. Perfectly suited for Crown Prince Killian."
A faint smirk appeared on Josselyn's lips.
Beautiful? She can't even think without her mother's help.
She almost laughed. The Crown Prince would kill someone before a week passed with her.
Arabella continued coldly.
"Unfortunately, the banquet ended sooner than it should have."
Josselyn's eyes widened slightly. So that's where this is going.
Arabella smirked.
"Because someone deliberately caused a scene and drew far too much attention."
Josselyn fell silent.
"Your altercation with Duke Corven was truly… impressive."
At the mention of that name, Josselyn let out a quiet breath.
"The banquet ended too quickly," Arabella continued. "What a shame."
Josselyn looked at Edmund, deliberately ignoring Arabella.
"So you came to protest about the banquet?"
Edmund shrugged casually.
"Partly."
"Partly?"
"I also want to meet the King."
"What for?"
Edmund smiled, a meaningful smile Josselyn knew all too well.
"To discuss our family's future."
Josselyn stared at him sharply.
"Stop speaking in circles."
Arabella smiled in satisfaction at her reaction.
"She really has no patience."
Edmund leaned in slightly.
"I only need a small favor from you," he whispered.
"I'm not interested." Josselyn stepped back without hesitation.
"You haven't even heard the request."
"I can already guess."
Edmund chuckled.
"You've always been clever."
Josselyn rolled her eyes.
"You are in a position very close to the King now."
Josselyn said nothing.
"The King greatly appreciates what you've done for the Queen."
"So?"
"Isn't it natural for him to repay that kindness?"
Josselyn narrowed her eyes. Uncle Edmund, ever the schemer. She would never understand how his mind worked.
"What kind of repayment?"
Edmund looked at her meaningfully.
"A small recommendation."
"For what?"
Arabella answered first.
"For my daughter's marriage."
Josselyn looked at her coldly.
"What do you mean, Aunt?"
Edmund added gently,
"A marriage with the Crown Prince."
Josselyn stared at him for a few seconds. She had expected this, yet she was still amazed at their audacity, traveling this far just to pursue such a scheme.
"You want me to persuade the King to arrange your daughter's marriage to Killian."
"Not persuade," Edmund said smoothly.
"Just… suggest."
Josselyn shook her head immediately. "I can't do that."
"Why not?"
"That's not my place."
Edmund smiled faintly.
"You can make it your place."
Josselyn boiled with anger. She was on the verge of shouting when footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.
"You didn't mention your family would be visiting, Josselyn."
Everyone turned, including her.
The King approached alongside Killian, followed by several guards. Their presence filled the corridor.
"Tch." Josselyn clicked her tongue softly.
Her eyes met Killian's for a brief moment. She saw his gaze narrow, as if he had realized something.
She immediately looked away.
This is going to become a long problem.