593.Chapter 593
Sariyah explained calmly, “Your Grace, you misunderstood! I assure you, there was no sarcasm in my words. Your Highness, please help clarify. Your Grace, I beg you to reconsider!”
Sariyah’s composure faltered, her act shattered by Eliza’s sharp retort.
Who could’ve guessed that this young girl from the Stonor family had such a razor–sharp tongue? With just one careless remark, she nearly peeled back the facade of the Malone family.
It was clear they could never bring this girl to their use.
A cold glint flickered in Sariyah’s eyes.
If she couldn’t be recruited, she’d have to be turned into a puppet of the Malone family.
Yes, she would turn Eliza into a puppet.
From the very beginning, Sariyah’s plan had been to drag Eliza into their schemes.
After all, everyone would want to capitalize on the prestige of the Holy Lady of Walden.
If they could bring Eliza over to the Malone family, they could not only act under the banner of the Holy Lady but also use her influence to counter the Prince Regent.
But who would’ve thought that this young woman, barely a year past her coming–of–age, would be so difficult to handle?
And judging by how fiercely she defended Nolan, it was even more impossible to sway her.
Sariyah’s heart sank.
While some were disheartened, others were overjoyed.
No matter what the Malone family thought, Nolan was absolutely elated.
He couldn’t help but think, ‘She stood up for me! Serenity actually defended me!
‘All it took was one little jab from Sariyah, and Serenity got so angry on my behalf!
‘She does care about me!‘
“Your Highness, Your Highness…”
Nolan’s eyes sparkled aFrom the lower end of the hall, Vance’s face darkened, his displeasure barely concealed. “Your Grace, what exactly do you mean by that? I fail to see how my grandmother’s arrangements have offended either of you in any way.”
“Vance!” Sariyah’s heart sank. She knew trouble was brewing the moment those words left his mouth.
Sure enough, Nolan sneered mockingly after Vance finished speaking. “Lady Sariyah, didn’t you say your family has been worshipping the Holy Lady’s portrait for years? Yet not one of you knows her other entity? Fine, the meal mistake can be excused. You’re old, and it’s natural to be forgetful. But your grandson, the proud heir of the Malone family, is there something wrong with him, too?”
Sariyah sighed and gave a helpless smile, her tone carrying a hint of deflection. “This is entirely my fault. I told Vance and the others about Your Grace’s status as the Holy Lady, but I didn’t mention that Your Grace had taken religious vows. As a result, this child spoke out of turn and offended Your Grace.
“Vance, apologize to the Holy Lady immediately.”
‘The Holy Lady is a nun?‘ Vance’s face immediately showed surprise upon hearing Sariyah’s explanation.
She was such a stunning beauty, and a Holy Lady of noble status. He had set his sights on her the moment he entered the room. He had even thought she would make a fine match for him. But now, to learn that this beauty had chosen a life of abstinence and devotion? It was beyond his expectations.
Was she a Christian priestess, or perhaps a Catholic nun?
If she were a Christian priestess, well, not all of them were entirely free of worldly desires.
And if she were a Catholic nun, heh, no woman had ever escaped my grasp.
A flicker of arrogance flashed in Vance’s eyes, though he kept his thoughts hidden. After his initial surprise, he quickly put on an expression of regret. “I didn’t know Your Grace had taken vows. I hope Your Grace can forgive me.”
As he spoke, he flashed what he believed to be a charming and debonair smile at Eliza.
But Eliza didn’t even spare him a glance. Her expression remained indifferent, and she said nothing.
Instead, Nolan’s gaze shifted to Vance. His sharp eyes scrutinized the young man, and his sharp eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint flickering within.
‘This brat dares to flirt with her in front of me? He’s courting death!‘ Nolan’s mind had marked Vance for death.
Yet Vance remained blissfully unaware of the danger looming over him.
His surprise at Eliza’s identity had momentarily made him forget his earlier questioning of her.
But while he had forgotten, Eliza certainly had not.
Ignoring Vance’s nauseating display, Eliza turned to Sariyah. “Lady Sariyah, perhaps you should strive for a bit more honesty in your dealings with others. You’ve lived a long life, yet you’re still known for being dishonest. Isn’t that laughable? “I said earlier you shouldn’t tell your grandson off before the guests, but it seemed Vance didn’t agree. Some people, it appears, have truly been spoiled by wealth and privilege, forgetting who brought about the prosperity of Bortenland and the peace we enjoy today.”
Eliza’s cold gaze swept over Sariyah, forcing her to avert her eyes, and then landed on Vance, who frowned but said nothing. She continued, “Lady Sariyah, you claimed that Lord Vance and the others often draw blood in their sparring matches, and that such a sight might frighten His Highness and me. I must ask–were you mocking me, or were you mocking His Highness?
“His Highness and I have witnessed countless corpses and rivers of blood during this snow disaster. And now, you suggest a mere sparring match, where blood is drawn, could scare us? Tell me, does the blood Vance spills in his matches surpass the lives lost in the snow disaster? Or the blood shed by His Highness on the battlefield?”
Eliza’s consecutive questions left the Malone family members in the hall speechless, unable to muster a single response.
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Sus he gazed at Eliza, his infatuation so blatant that he ignored Sariyah’s repeated attempts to get his attention.
Sariyah’s lips twitched in frustration. “Your Highness!”
She suddenly raised her voice, her sharp tone cutting through the air.
Irritated by the interruption, Nolan shot her a cold, disdainful glance. “Lady Sariyah, it seems the Holy Lady of Walden was right. Your family has grown increasingly undisciplined. Or perhaps the Malone family simply doesn’t see me as someone worth respecting?”
With a loud “bang, Nolan slammed his palm onto the table, the sound reverberating through the hall like a thunderclap.
His voice, icy and laced with venom, sent chills down everyone’s spine.
The moment his hand struck the table, a suffocating wave of murderous intent filled the room, so intense that Sariyah momentarily believed he was about to kill someone.
Thud! Sariyah quickly realized that provoking Nolan would be a fatal mistake. With his temperament, he wouldn’t hesitate to unleash a bloodbath.
But the sorcerer Zayn they were relying on still needed another hour to prepare. If they acted rashly, none of them would be able to stop Nolan’s wrath.
She had to buy time!
Sariyah immediately knelt down, her voice trembling as she pleaded, “It’s my fault. Please, Your Highness, calm your anger!”
As she knelt, she cast a meaningful glance at the others in the room.
Though Vance frowned deeply, he followed her lead and knelt as well.
In an instant, the entire hall was filled with kneeling figures, leaving only Nolan and Eliza still seated.
Nolan lowered his gaze, looking down at the co–Successfully unlocked! thority, his presence suffocating and
unyielding.
An invisible pressure seemed to spread throughout the hall, making the atmosphere unbearably heavy.
Sariyah and Vance, the grandmother and grandson, found themselves holding their breath, unable to withstand the oppressive weight of Nolan’s aura.
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593 Chapter 593
“By the rules, anyone who disrespects me should get killed. But considering your age, I’ll spare your life. As for that boy–l don’t like him. He can cut off a finger to settle the matter.”
“Your Highness?” Sariyah looked up, her face filled with disbelief.
Vance, on the other hand, was on the verge of exploding in rage.
He cursed inside, ‘Grandma just misspoke, and now, I have to lose a finger?
‘What kind of absurd rule is this?
‘Even if this nonsense flies in Hasen City, this is Woteria, our territory! Who does Nolan think he is, strutting around like he owns the place!‘
Vance’s eyes burned red with fury.
He knew his eyes always betrayed him when he was angry.
So he kept his head down, gritting his teeth and swallowing his rage, kneeling on the ground.
‘Fine, I’ll kneel. But one day, I’ll make Nolan pay for every ounce of this humiliation!‘
“What? Can’t do it?” Nolan’s icy gaze pierced through them, sharp and unyielding.
Sariyah’s face remained stiff, her lips pressed tightly together, refusing to speak.
To be honest, Vance and Louisa’s arrogance was largely the result of their grandmother’s indulgence.
After all, the Malone family’s status in Woteria was practically that of royalty.
Louisa was treated like a princess, adored and untouchable.
And Vance, though merely the son of a governor, was flattered and fawned over by nearly every official in Wotería. He was treated like a crown prince, standing above all but one in the region.
To them, Nolan might be the Prince Regent, but he was just a name, a distant figure with no real presence in their lives. Why should they fear him?
Their grandmother didn’t fear anyone.
If their grandmother didn’t care about him, why should they?
So when Nolan singled him out and demanded a finger, Vance felt no fear–only seething humiliation!
This humiliation was rooted in his belief that his grandmother would never agree to Nolan’s demand.
Sariyah said, “Your Highness, Vance is just a child! This is all my fault. If someone must be punished, take my life instead. Let me atone for my sins!”
“Atone your sins?” Nolan’s lips curved into a faint, mocking smile. “Oh, you certainly owe one.”
He didn’t bother to elaborate. Instead, he stood abruptly, stretching his shoulders as if shaking off the conversation.
“Kid, didn’t you mention your family is hosting a bloodsport? Perfect. I’m in the mood for some entertainment. Lead the way. Let’s see if it’s worth my attention.”
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