Chapter 10: The Vanished Gem

Chapter 10: The Vanished Gem 

In the southeastern corner of Riverside Castle, on the third floor, there is a window framed by white marble carvings, adorned with lush green potted plants. This is Charlotte's bedroom. 

Charlotte's boudoir stands in stark contrast to the overall gray (harmonious)色调 of Riverside Castle. There was a time when Charlotte was obsessed with pink, likely around the ages of nine or ten, so she decorated her entire bedroom in pink pink bed curtains, pink murals, a pink vanity, a pink princess bed, and even the chandelier was made of pink crystal... Everything exuded a fairy-tale-like romantic atmosphere. 

Two years later, Charlotte's passion for pink faded, but by then, she was already planning to move to Platinum City, so the pink boudoir was left untouched. 

While the Duke and Duchess of Greenfield were conversing, Charlotte sat in front of her now slightly small pink vanity, frowning silently at the wooden box before her. 

Inside the box lay a princess crown crafted from silver, crystal, pearls, and gemstones. Charlotte's fingers brushed over the highest point of the crown. Each of the seven points of the crown was adorned with a gemstone, except for this one, which was empty. Charlotte was very familiar with this crown, as it was a relic left behind by Helen Mellerfield. She knew there had been a gemstone here a deep blue, teardrop-shaped gem that seemed to ripple with waves when gazed upon... 

That gemstone was more precious than the entire crown because it was a miracle. It was said that this miracle could bring anyone on the brink of death, or even those who had recently died, back to their state from a day earlier. In theory, it could be triggered simply by wearing it, with no restrictions a truly overpowering effect. 

Of course, it couldn't save someone who wanted to die. 

Before Helen Mellerfield took her own life, she deliberately removed the crown and placed it in the hands of her young daughter. 

Charlotte also knew how much her mother had suffered in life, so she could only hold onto this life-saving miracle and watch as Helen Mellerfield's life slowly faded before her eyes. 

When Charlotte left for Platinum City, she didn't take the crown with her. However, she never expected that her belongings could be "stolen" even in her own home! 

"It was the Lady who said she needed a headpiece for a banquet and asked me to fetch this jewelry for her. When she returned it, the gemstone was already missing..." 

A young maid knelt at Charlotte's feet, weeping as she spoke. 

"Get up, stop crying. This isn't entirely your fault. I also didn't think things through," Charlotte said, closing the box with a smile. 

The maid's name was Linda. Though not as close as Renee, who had grown up with Charlotte since infancy, Linda had been with Charlotte since she was seven and was considered an "old-timer." Charlotte knew her inside and out. Linda was not scheming and would never deceive her, but she was timid and weak-willed. A little scare from Rosie was enough to make her lose her composure. 

Knowing that Linda wasn't the right person for the task yet still entrusting her with such a valuable item was indeed Charlotte's mistake a case of poor judgment in assigning responsibilities. 

Linda stood up but continued to sob softly. Charlotte could only tell the young maid to go and rest. 

Charlotte had long known that Rosie didn't like her. In fact, even before Rosie realized her own dislike for Charlotte, Charlotte had already sensed that Rosie could never like her. 

As the eldest son of the Mellerfield family, Andre was, by law, the first heir to the Duke of Greenfield. However, as a mother, Rosie naturally hoped that her own son, Sean, would inherit the vast estate of the Greenfield Duchy. 

The late Emperor Joseph Horowin married his cousin to secure the throne, and Andre's engagement to his cousin Monica Mellerfield served a similar purpose. 

The conflict over inheritance rights naturally arose from the moment Sean was born, inevitable and irreconcilable. 

Charlotte, being Andre's full sister, was naturally his ally in the battle for succession a fact that could not be changed. 

Not only was Charlotte well-liked by most members of the Mellerfield family, but she also maintained good relations with her maternal family, the Kingdom of Gato. After Helen Mellerfield's suicide, the Kingdom of Gato and the Greenfield Duchy became completely estranged. Both Jose Mellerfield and Andre Mellerfield were placed on the Kingdom of Gato's unwelcome list. Only Charlotte, as Helen's most beloved daughter, received special treatment from the Gato royal family. 

At first, Rosie didn't realize how powerful an ally Charlotte was. But as she gradually came to understand this, she naturally grew wary, even hostile, toward Charlotte. Whether it was trying to keep Charlotte confined to Riverside Castle or forcing her into a political marriage, these were all attempts by Rosie to control Charlotte. 

"Haah..." 

Charlotte let out a long sigh and leaned back. 

The stool she was sitting on had no backrest, but she still managed to lean into a soft, fragrant embrace undoubtedly that of Renee, who could never resist her young mistress. 

"Miss, aren't you afraid of falling?" Renee chided gently, tapping Charlotte's head lightly before tenderly massaging her shoulders. 

Charlotte was still just an ordinary girl with no supernatural powers or martial training. The days of continuous travel had left her utterly exhausted. 

After massaging for a while, Renee couldn't help but voice her indignation: "Lady Rosie has gone too far. How could she take something Lady Helen left for you and give it to young master Sean!" 

"Let her be. It's just some petty trick that won't amount to anything," Charlotte said, instead taking Renee's hand and looking up at her reassuringly. "When Rosie brought Gampoya back last year to humiliate me, she had already lost." 

Renee blinked, somewhat puzzled. She had also been deeply troubled by the events of last year's Holy Blessing Festival. If not for Charlotte's forbiddance, Renee might have already drawn her sword and killed Gampoya. 

"Do you think that groom's survival only humiliated me and Helen?" Charlotte sneered. "No, it also humiliated Jose Mellerfield. Rosie probably forgot that, apart from me, Father is the one who most wants Gampoya dead." 

As for why she forgot, Charlotte could guess after repeated failures, people tend to act impulsively and irrationally at times, and Rosie was no exception. 

This single act of impulsiveness was enough to cost Rosie all her advantages. 

"Rosie isn't my birth mother, after all. Without Father's support, she doesn't even have the right to restrain me. If she wants to steal something, let her. Consider it temporarily in her custody. When the time comes, we'll take back what's mine." 

"Mhm." 

Renee nodded earnestly. She always had great confidence in her mistress's words. 

The drowsy Charlotte couldn't help but yawn. She rubbed her eyes and said, "Renee, you should get some rest too. We're setting off for the Viscount of Lanwan's territory tomorrow." 

"Huh?" Renee said in surprise. "We're leaving tomorrow? Isn't that too rushed?" 

"Winter is approaching, and we have much to do. There's no need to waste time here," Charlotte replied. 

"But, Miss, your luggage and belongings are still on the way. Shouldn't we wait for Sir Herman Green?" Renee reminded her. 

"No need," Charlotte said with a smile, winking at Renee with her right eye. "I believe the first funds for my territory have already been secured. We'll set off directly tomorrow."

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