Gwendolyn wasn't sure if she would ever fully recover.
For now, she felt somewhat insecure.
She feared a bad outcome, of being cast aside by Sylas.
But she also didn't want to disappoint him now.
She still believed Sylas was playing games with life.
In Gwendolyn's eyes, he was like a butterfly, constantly seducing the wealthy and noble flowers of the world, making them pine for him, unforgettable even unto death.
But this time, Gwendolyn did not refuse.
Wasn't it enough that this butterfly was willing to clean her body?
Even if Sylas was just toying with her, she would accept it.
Sylas didn't understand what she meant; he didn't possess the intentions Gwendolyn assumed.
But seeing her seemingly reluctant yet welcoming demeanor, the resentment in his heart lessened slightly.
He attended to Gwendolyn with downcast eyes, feeding her and wiping her mouth.
He said softly, "I don't ask for much. Just one thing, My Lady, please advise Her Majesty not to come here anymore.
Just tending to you is exhausting enough for me."
Gwendolyn nodded. "I understand. He'er is indeed a bit mischievous."
"It's not just mischief..." Sylas weighed his words, explaining patiently, "Her Majesty is older now.
Some of the things she says to me are... are somewhat inappropriate."
"Inappropriate?"
He nodded. "Mmm, just rather improper."
Gwendolyn, quick-witted, immediately understood Sylas's meaning.
She was silent for a long time, then said apologetically, "The child has grown up. It's my fault for not disciplining her properly."
Sylas hurriedly said, "No, no, it's just some mischief. Nothing too excessive has happened."
He felt Gwendolyn was speaking up for him, and his heart felt considerably lighter.
He explained with a smile, "It's just a few jokes. Just talk to her about it."
Seeing his mood suddenly improve, Gwendolyn guessed that Mirabel must have been causing him trouble these past few days, and he, not knowing how to handle it, had thought of leaving.
Gwendolyn felt she had truly been neglectful.
The child raised in her palm had now also developed spring feelings.
Sylas, now feeling much more secure, massaged Gwendolyn's legs with great enthusiasm.
After working for a while, he sat breathlessly on the edge of the bed.
Even so, he held Gwendolyn's slender hand, his heart filled with joy.
He looked at Gwendolyn, his eyes full of happiness.
Gwendolyn felt a bit embarrassed. She asked softly, "You seem very happy."
"Mmm, quite."
He wanted to kiss her.
Just as Mirabel had said, he should be more proactive.
But he still lacked the courage.
Forget it.
Being able to hold Gwendolyn's hand was already very good.
But then, clear footsteps sounded outside the door.
Sylas reluctantly let go of Gwendolyn's hand. Then he saw Mirabel sneaking in.
She leaned against the bedroom door, peeking in with a smile. "I'm back! Auntie Gwendolyn, did you miss me?"
Seeing her like this, Gwendolyn couldn't help but laugh.
She teased, "Never doing any proper work all day. If you keep this up, I'll have Lady Severa move in."
Sylas gave Gwendolyn a look, then stood up and bowed. "Your Majesty, I have matters to attend to."
"Oh, you're leaving? Where are you going?" Mirabel immediately felt reluctant.
She had come back from the palace specifically to deal with him.
Sylas covered up, "There are some government affairs to handle."
After speaking, he stood up and left.
Mirabel certainly couldn't chase after him now.
She sat beside Gwendolyn, chatting absently for a few sentences.
Gwendolyn, observing her expression, realized she truly seemed somewhat attached to Sylas.
This wasn't a good sign.
She swore it wasn't out of jealousy.
"He'er, you're acting a bit strange lately," Gwendolyn said, raising an eyebrow, her tone complex.
"Ah? Strange? No, I'm not. What's wrong with me?" Mirabel suddenly grew nervous.
Had Auntie Gwendolyn seen through her?
Gwendolyn said with slight annoyance, "You shouldn't be clinging to Sylas. He is my servant. Your statuses are vastly different, understand?"
"..." Mirabel immediately hung her head, looking at Gwendolyn with grievance.
Gwendolyn continued her lecture: "You are the ruler of Stonewold. In the future, you must contend for supremacy with Isolde and Rowena the Recluse.
I am now paralyzed in bed. You need to focus on serious matters.
Do you expect me to lie on the Jade Wall and command the troops if Aethelred recovers and attacks again?"
Mirabel felt extremely uncomfortable under Gwendolyn's words.
She deeply disliked this feeling.
It was as if she was supposed to strive and struggle.
She didn't want to work hard or strive.
Her mother had already endured all the hardship for her; her mother had won this kingdom. Why should she take the initiative to suffer?
So, she began to bargain.
"Auntie Gwendolyn, how about... how about you give Sylas to me? If he stays in the palace with me, I promise I'll study diligently from now on. Okay?" Mirabel began to plead.
Gwendolyn's heart skipped a beat. She felt a pang of something unpleasant.
But then she thought, she was already a cripple, and so much older.
She couldn't give Sylas a future.
For a man, wasn't the best prospect in the world to enter the palace?
For a moment, Gwendolyn felt indecisive.
But Mirabel was an expert at acting spoiled and foolish in front of her.
Soon, Gwendolyn was pestered beyond endurance. She said helplessly, "Then go ask him if he's willing.
And if he agrees to go to the palace with you, from then on, you must work hard and strive for strength.
Otherwise, the court officials will all think he is a nation-wrecking seducer."
"I'll go ask him now! Don't worry, I promise! I swear!" Mirabel's words flowed easily, whatever she wanted to say.
She flew out of the bedroom like a little bird, heading straight for Sylas's study.
Sylas was seeking solitude, but he was indeed reviewing memorials.
Compared to fooling around with Mirabel, reading files was relaxation for him.
Just as he was pondering the situation in the northwest, a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
Sylas started, turned his head, and saw Mirabel staring at him with a playful expression.
"Your Majesty... I'm busy," he explained, somewhat guiltily.
Seeing Mirabel like this, he could guess that Gwendolyn's words likely hadn't touched her soul.
If they had been effective, she would have changed long ago.Could she have waited until now?
He only hoped Mirabel would show some restraint.
But he absolutely never expected that Gwendolyn, a wise minister of her generation, had completely lost all principles when it came to spoiling Mirabel.
Mirabel said with a wicked smile, "Did you complain about me to Auntie Gwendolyn?"
Sylas: "No, I just said it was somewhat inappropriate for Your Majesty to frequent the Chancellor's Manor so often."
"Oho? A mere little servant like you dares to criticize me?" Mirabel was immensely pleased with herself.
She draped herself over Sylas's back regardless, wrapped her arms around his neck, and said intimately, "I don't care what you complained about. Anyway, I have good news for you.
Auntie Gwendolyn said that if you agree, I can take you back to the palace with me."
"..." Hearing this, Sylas felt as if struck by lightning.
He murmured, "Impossible... impossible... She clearly..."
"Hmph, miscalculated, didn't you? Didn't manage to latch onto the powerful figure?" Mirabel's hand suddenly moved to his mouth.
Then, a dark, murky pill was pushed into his mouth.
Forced to swallow it, Sylas watched as Mirabel laughed triumphantly. "This is a secret poison.
It's different from the Servant's Chain you wore before.
It can control your thoughts.
So, Sylas, I order you now to love me proactively!"