Aethelred descended into chaos.
In contrast, Stonewold was united, its politics clear and orderly.
Gwendolyn finally left the Jade Wall.
This time, Mirabel crossed the river to personally welcome her.
When she saw Gwendolyn's wretched state, she burst into tears before the entire army.
Ignoring the distinction between sovereign and subject, she rushed to Gwendolyn's side, grabbed her hand, and could not utter a word, crying until she was a tear-streaked mess.
Her grief was so profound that even Severa couldn't bring herself to scold her.
Seeing their sovereign weep, the soldiers were also filled with sorrow.
Though each mourned their own private grief, they now had an outlet.
The elites who had fought bitterly for three months also had tears in their eyes, wiping them away, grateful to have returned alive from the piles of the dead.
Severa stood nearby, softly offering consolation.
But Mirabel's sorrow could not be contained; she had been too terrified.
She had been desperately afraid she would never see Auntie Gwendolyn again.
Gwendolyn had intended to ask how she could be so lacking in sense, but seeing the girl so heartbroken for her, her heart softened.
She said gently, "Your Majesty, it's cold."
"Auntie Gwendolyn, let's go back. After we return, I will take good care of you. I'll find the best healers and physicians. We will definitely cure you."
She swore that upon returning, she would strive diligently.
She would go to the Chancellor's Manor every day to attend to Auntie Du's every need.
She would live up to Auntie Du's good intentions!
Gwendolyn finally returned to the Stonewold capital.
All the ministers silently welcomed her until she returned to the Chancellor's Manor.
Mirabel stayed by her side the entire time.
Then, Gwendolyn saw Sylas, leading the staff of the Chancellor's Manor, standing respectfully at the entrance to welcome her.
"Gwendolyn..." Sylas murmured.
His heart was a mix of sweet and sour, bitter and spicy—a tumult of emotions.
He held a certain fondness for Gwendolyn. While he had no improper thoughts, he never wanted to see her reduced to this state.
Seeing him, the tightly strung chord in Gwendolyn's heart finally relaxed. She felt that rescuing Sylas from Amberfields was the most correct decision she had ever made.
If not for this noble son's timely intervention to prevent the information leak, Stonewold would have faced catastrophic disaster.
Gwendolyn said with considerable gratitude, "Byron, you have worked hard."
Sylas stepped forward. "My Lady... let me push you."
As Gwendolyn's servant, it was his duty to push her wheelchair.
But Mirabel shoved him aside. "Go away!"
She was still angry with Sylas.
Seeing this, Gwendolyn's faint eyebrows furrowed slightly.
If Mirabel were sensible, she should be showing Sylas great respect now.
Even without respect, she should understand that everything Sylas had done was for Stonewold.
Even if he had offended her, this was not the attitude to take.
It seemed Mirabel was still somewhat wayward.
But she was still a child. Surely, she could become a wise sovereign in the future!
Gwendolyn didn't say much more.
She was settled in the small courtyard where she had previously lived.
For these first few days, she could only remain bedridden, attended to by others daily.
Mirabel publicly declared that she would personally serve Gwendolyn to express her respect.
But that very night, her resolve faltered.
After Gwendolyn lost control of her bodily functions, Mirabel stood frozen at the bedroom door, unable to move.
She panicked again, unsure what to do.
Sylas, however, said nothing. He rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward to help clean Gwendolyn.
Gwendolyn's face was flushed crimson with embarrassment. "Let the maids do it. Lord Byron, please take His Majesty outside for a walk."
Sylas glanced at Mirabel by the door and said softly, "I'd better do it. The maids are too clumsy."
"No, no... you are a noble son. You shouldn't do such things..." The powerful Chancellor was so ashamed she wished she could sink through the floor.
She truly didn't want to appear so vulnerable before the Empress and Sylas.
Sylas paid no heed. With a calm expression, he tidied the bedding, changed the sheets, and cleaned Gwendolyn.
In that moment, he suddenly remembered what Crystal had once said:
"You look adorable even when you've made a mess of the bed."
So, in the eyes of someone who cared, even such a wretched state wouldn't provoke disgust.
He couldn't help but glance at Gwendolyn before him.
Her skin was dazzlingly fair, her figure graceful.
She bore not only the traces of youth but also the fragrance of a mature woman.
After that quick glance, Sylas's heart fluttered nervously.
This was the charm of a mature, intellectual older sister.
For a moment, he thought of Jade again.
But his situation with Jade was different from now.
They had been forced together by Isolde.
The dungeon was pitch black, and he couldn't possibly appreciate Jade's beauty under those circumstances.
Now, the Chancellor of Stonewold lay helpless before him...
He didn't dare look further and quickly covered her with the quilt.
The soiled bedding was naturally taken away by the servants to be cleaned.
Truth be told, Sylas hadn't done much heavy lifting.
But being able to do it without disgust was already quite remarkable.
Mirabel stood dumbly at the door, at a loss.
She had vowed fervently not to fear dirt or fatigue, but upon encountering the slightest difficulty, she instinctively shrank back.
However, neither Gwendolyn nor Sylas blamed her.
The fact that a sovereign stood at the door already showed her intent.
Could one really expect the Empress to handle waste and clean up?
"Lord Byron, please go rest. You have worked very hard these past days." The blush hadn't faded from Gwendolyn's face.
She looked at Sylas, her beautiful eyes sparkling with something deeper.
A handsome noble son, unafraid of dirt or fatigue, cleaning her filth.
She understood his feelings perfectly.
But...
She had sworn an oath: for Mirabel's sake, she would never marry.
Sylas gave a light laugh. "It's fine. I'll keep watch tonight."
He knelt on the cushion by the bed, tucked Gwendolyn in, and turned to smile at Mirabel. "Your Majesty, you should rest."
"I... I..." Mirabel was caught in a dilemma.
Gwendolyn gently offered her a way out: "If Your Majesty does not wish to leave, there is a bed in the outer room. Have the maids prepare it for you. Don't catch a chill at night."
Mirabel could only leave the bedroom door disgruntled.
The maids made the bed for her.
She sat on a chair in the main room, listening to the whispers coming from the bedroom.
Gwendolyn was probably exchanging quiet words with Sylas.
Her hearing was sharp; she could even occasionally hear Gwendolyn's soft laughter.
It was clear Auntie Gwendolyn was having a very pleasant conversation with him.
Suddenly, Mirabel's eyes filled with tears.
Her most respected loved one was now flirting with her favorite person.
And she could only eavesdrop from outside!
Auntie, please, stop flirting, okay?
He likes you, and his defenses are very loose...
Just then, a maid said, "Your Majesty, the bed is ready. You may..."
Mirabel suddenly stood up. "Auntie Gwendolyn is the pillar of Stonewold! I must attend to her!"
With that, she pushed open the door to the inner room, regardless of the consequences.