The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 688

Chapter 688

“The royal word is inviolable. Do you think I would lie?” Arthur frowned. He had just praised the Queen for her wisdom, yet now she was questioning him again.

‘What is she doubting?‘

The Queen, realizing her impropriety, hurriedly apologized, “I would not dare, Your Majesty. It’s just that this comes as such a surprise.”

The Queen had already handpicked the candidates, but Kurtis‘ tearful plea had completely derailed her plans.

She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into, her palms. Seething inwardly, she thought, ‘If only I could tear that old fox Kurtis limb from limb.‘

Arthur saw the Queen’s carefully restrained expression and immediately knew she was scheming again.

‘She can even turn a simple Spring party into one of her plots,’ he thought irritably. ‘God knows what goes on in her head all day.’

Arthur grew increasingly irritated the longer he looked at the Queen. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he said, “I’m weary. You are dismissed.”

“Okay,” the Queen said mechanically, then exited the Heaven Hall in a daze, her mind reeling with suppressed fury.

Her face darkened, her voice dripping with murderous intent. “That old fox Kurtis, how did he find out I was targeting Freya?”

These were merely her preliminary schemes, known only to a select few.

Yet the news spread like wildfire, landing straight at the Perkins Manor.

Kurtis had even turned the tables on her, leaving the Queen seething with barely contained fury.

An oppressive silence fell over Phoenix Hall–not a soul dared make a sound.

The palace servants exchanged bewildered glances, all wondering how the news had gotten out.

The palace maids stood on the chamber floor, their fearful postures only fueling the Queen’s irritation.

With a weary hand pressed to her forehead, the Queen commanded, “Drag them all out of my sight.”

The palace maids, utterly terrified, begged desperately for mercy, yet the Queen didn’t even deign to look at ti

If even matters within my palace can be leaked, then none of these people–whether traitors or not–shall remain.

The Queen’s trusted maid turned deathly pale, dropped to her knees, and kowtowed frantically. Her voice trembling, she pleaded, “Spare me, Your Majesty. Even if I had a hundred lives, I would never dare betray you.”

The Queen slightly parted her eyelids and fixed her gaze upon the maid standing before her.

The maid’s face was twisted in terror, her eyes brimming with tears.

The Queen glared coldly at her. “If I truly suspected you, would you still be standing here?”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The Queen’s trusted maid was so terrified her legs turned to jelly, barely able to keep her footing.

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Chapter 688

The Queen glared coldly at her. “I had planned to ask His Majesty for a special favor today, but that old scoundrel Kurtis completely ruined my carefully laid plans. What do you suggest I do now?”

The Queen’s maid, her most trusted confidante and right–hand woman, had always offered shrewd advice and counsel.

The maid thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, why not publicly show favor to both the Monson and Gu families? Whether they accept or not is secondary–the key is to let all the noble maids know exactly whom Your Majesty has chosen.

“I would like to see who dares to compete for those Your Majesty has chosen.”

Hearing this, the Queen gave the maid an approving look. “This is precisely why I trust you so much. No matter how many people have come and gone here, I could never bring myself to replace you. You alone truly understand me.”

“To be favored by Your Majesty is my greatest honor.” The maid prostrated herself on the ground in profound reverence, her eyes brimming with tearful joy.

“Rise,” the Queen said languidly, slipping the bracelet from her wrist and pressing it into the maid’s hand. “You shall handle this matter. Remember–it must be executed flawlessly.”

The maid received the bracelet with trembling hands, her voice thick with emotion. “Your Majesty, I shall spare no effort to fulfill your wishes with utmost perfection.”

The Queen smiled in satisfaction. “Very well, you may withdraw now.”

That night, the Queen slept soundly.

At the crack of dawn, Pamela entered the palace and stood rigidly outside the Queen’s chambers.

A palace maid burst frantically into the Queen’s bedchamber. Gasping, she cried, “Oh no, Your Majesty. Pamela is standing outside the hall, begging you to grant her a separation.”