Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Living alone in a foreign land

I cursed my clumsiness, reminding myself that Kettricken was only older than me, and lived alone in a foreign land, no matter how great her stature.I shouldn't have told her this directly, but I should have told Chade the problem and asked him to arrange for someone else to explain it to her. Then it dawned on me that he had chosen someone to explain these things to her.I smiled nervously at her again, and she quickly followed my gaze at the group of ladies, returning to a dignified and appropriate demeanor, which made me proud. "So what do you suggest?" she asked quietly. "I propose," I said humbly, "that I am ashamed of having the audacity to speak to the queen, and would like to ask her forgiveness. But I also propose that she grant these two ladies of the court special favors as a reward for their fidelity."

She nodded understandingly. "So, what kind of favor should I bestow?" "Let them meet you privately in the queen's chambers, perhaps with a special bard or puppet master. It doesn't matter what kind of entertainment you provide, the point is that those ladies who are not loyal to you cannot let You have chosen to attend such a party." "That sounds like Regal's specialty." "Perhaps! He is good at playing this game with squires and squires, but he has malice to punish those who do not flatter." "what about me?" "And you, Your Royal Highness, should use this to praise those who are loyal to you. Instead of punishing those who are not loyal to you, you should spend good time with those who are loyal to you, and these people will definitely repay you. "

"I see. What about the bard?" "Let's find Fangrun! His attentive singing can most touch the hearts of ladies." "Can you see if he's free tonight?" "My queen," I smiled, "you are the princess, and it is a great honor to have him here. He will never be too busy to come." She sighed again, but much softer.She nodded that I was free to go, and stood up, smiled at her ladies, begged their forgiveness for this morning's gaffe, and asked if they could come to her room tonight.When I saw them looking at each other and smiling, I knew we were right.I remembered their names: Mrs. Hope and Mrs. Qianxun.After I saluted and walked out of the room, no one noticed my departure.

So I became Kettricken's advisor.Peer and advisor are not my favorite roles, and I have to be like a bitch, whispering in her ear what dance steps are going to happen next, which is not an easy job, actually.I feel that my reproaches have weakened her power, and that I have taught her how to run the court like a spider's web has gradually corrupted her.She was right, these were Regal's tricks.If she acts in a milder way than Regal for a higher cause, my intentions will serve us well.I want to see her take power, so that she can consolidate Verity's throne and bring all men to her knees.

Mrs. Patience was waiting to see me every morning, and she and Lacey took these meetings seriously.Patience considered me entirely at her beck and call, as if I were still her page, not asking me to help her transcribe ancient scrolls on precious reed paper, or asking me to demonstrate my virtuous sea flute playing.She was always volunteering to step in because I wasn't working hard enough in an area, and then was busy spending the better part of an hour instructing me in confusing ways.I tried to obey everything politely, but I also felt that I was involved in their plot to keep me from seeing Molly.I know Patience is wise in doing so, but wisdom doesn't ease loneliness.I see Molly all the time, even though they try not to let me see her.Oh, not only herself, but the mantle she hung on the chair, and even the honey in the honey cake smelled of Molly, burning so sweetly.Would I be silly if I sat by a candle and sniffed it, or leaned against her snow-soaked cloak in a chair?I sometimes feel like Kettricken, drowning in responsibilities and having no time left to live my life.

I was reporting to Chade every week about Kettricken's progress amid court suspicions, and Chade suddenly reminded me that the ladies who courted Kettricken were the ones most enamored of Regal.So I must warn her whom to treat in moderation and whom to smile sincerely.Sometimes I think to myself that I would rather quietly carry out assassination missions for the king than get involved in the disputes of these secret plots.But then King Shrewd sent a message to summon me. The news came early one morning, and I hurriedly dressed and went to the king.This is the first time he has summoned me since I returned to Buckkeep.The feeling of being ignored makes me uneasy.Is he unhappy with what I've done in Jaampeh?He could have told me straight up.However, the feeling of uncertainty still churned in my heart.I tried to speed up my preparations so I could get to his audience quickly, but I didn't forget to pay special attention to my appearance, and I failed at both.The hair that I had cut short with my illness in the mountains had grown long like Verity's thick, unmanageable hair, and to make matters worse, my beard had grown thicker and thicker.Burrich has told me twice that he wants me to decide whether to grow a beard or put more effort into shaving.When I shave my beard, which is as messy as a pony's winter hair, and accidentally get a few scratches, I immediately decide that a messy beard is better than a bloody face.I brushed my hair back, wishing I had a warrior braid, pinned the brooch the King had given me years ago to my shirt to signify I was one of my prince's subjects, and hurried to meet him.

As I strode hastily down the corridor toward the King's door, Regal suddenly appeared from his own door.I stopped and tried not to bump into him, but felt trapped and stared at him.I've seen him a few times since I got back, but always caught glimpses of him across the hallway or while running errands.But now, we're standing at arm's length, staring at each other.We look so similar that people almost mistake us for brothers, and I couldn't help being shocked when I found out.His hair is more curly, his facial features are more detailed, and his demeanor has a stronger aristocratic atmosphere.His costume was woven of peacock feathers, and I was only in mottled clothes of wren feathers, without silver embroidery on the collar and cuffs, but just by looking at it, it was obvious that we were the same He is from the Zhanyuan family.We both have Shrewd chins and eyebrows, and the same curved lower lip.None of us are as physically strong as Verity, but I am stronger than Regal.We are less than ten years apart, only his thin skin prevents me from letting his blood splatter five steps.I looked into his eyes and wished I could take out his internal organs.

He smiled, showing his white teeth. "Little bastard," he greeted cheerfully, his smile becoming sharper, "or, should I call you Mr. Disappeared? That's a very appropriate title for you." His clear and precise pronunciation Definitely humiliating me. "Prince Regal." I answered him in the same tone, waiting for his response with unprecedented cold patience.He just wants to attack first.