Rory looked puzzled as he approached the drawer and saw a sharp dagger inside.
The blade of the dagger still had traces of blood.
Grant wailed pitifully and sought solace in Bailey's embrace.
Rory looked at her with mixed emotions and opened his mouth but said nothing.
She sneered and said, "Your Majesty, what else do you want to say?"
Nanny Eva stubbornly denied, "Your Majesty, the dagger must have been placed here by the queen consort in advance. She wanted to frame the concubine! How could a beast understand human language? As soon as the queen consort entered the room, she walked straight to this spot. She knew the location beforehand."
"No wonder the concubine favors Nanny Eva. Even after seeing the murder weapon, she can lie without batting an eye, Not everyone can do that!"
"However, the concubine, Ms. Mack, is the apple of the king's eye. How many times do the palace guards patrol around Shoreline Pavilion? Do you think their eyes are just for show? Could a living person quietly enter the concubine's chambers? I doubt even a bird could get in!"
Bailey retrieved the dagger from the drawer and immediately noticed the word "Brenna" engraved on the hilt.
She coldly laughed and said, "This dagger must be a token of affection you gave to the concubine, right? Such a precious item. I don't possess it. Nanny Eva, don't let your judgment be clouded. Stop spouting lies!"
Rory's face turned extremely dark. At first glance, he recognized the dagger as the one he had given to Brenna, the concubine. He ignored Nanny Eva's random words.
He glanced at the kneeling servant and asked coldly, "Nanny Eva, how do you explain yourself now?"
Brenna looked at her in shock, wearing an innocent expression as if she had no idea about the situation.
"Nanny, was it really you? Did you do such a thing behind my back?" she cried, covering her face. "I trusted you so much, but you betrayed me!"
Bailey couldn't help but applaud her superb acting skills!
This woman was genuinely adept at shifting blame.
After Brenna's accusation, Nanny Eva could only confess. "I was just confused for a moment. After the queen consort slapped me, I was furious and thus did this to Grant, thinking of framing the queen consort. I was wrong. The concubine did not know of this!"
"The concubine is kind-hearted; otherwise, she wouldn't have pleaded for the queen consort as soon as the incident occurred. I only ask for fairness. One person should take responsibility for their actions. Please, Your Majesty, grant me mercy!"
Brenna also knelt, saying sorrowfully, "Your Majesty, it's my fault for not properly managing the servants, which led to this absurdity. I am willing to accept punishment."
At this moment, Bailey coldly glanced at Rory.
"Your Majesty, you just mentioned that you would speak for Grant, but now you are changing your mind. Are you willing to punish the concubine's servant?"
Rory sensed the irony in her tone and looked at the kneeling Brenna with complicated eyes. Reluctantly, he asked, "What do you think the punishment should be?"
"Nanny Eva said before that she swore she didn't do it. If she doesn't die this time, wouldn't everyone dare to make false oaths?" Bailey smirked.
Nanny Eva was frightened. "Your Majesty, please spare my life! I beg you, considering my devoted service to the concubine, please spare me!"
Brenna stared at him, her eyes filled with tears. "Your Majesty, I beg you."
At this point, the master and servant echoed each other as if they had suffered a great injustice.
Bailey casually reminded, "Your Majesty, as the king, surely you won't go back on your word?"
Rory expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, "Nanny Eva is indeed at fault, but her crime does not warrant death!"
Bailey was amused. "You almost struck me earlier, and now you suddenly sympathize with a servant by the concubine's side. It turns out that even as a queen consort, I can't compare to a servant. How ridiculous!"
This pushed Rory to his limits. "I'm not showing sympathy for anyone. Guards, drag Nanny Eva out and execute her by flogging!"
"Enough," Bailey refused to be the ruthless villain. "Give her a hundred lashes and banish her from the palace. She is not allowed to come near here again."
Brenna reluctantly replied, "I, on behalf of the servants, thank you for sparing her life."
"The concubine should express her gratitude, but after causing such trouble for no reason and proving my innocence as if it were an investigation, I believe you owe me more than just a thank you!"
Brenna could only grit her teeth and say, "It's all my fault. I have no objections to whatever punishment you decide."
"That's enough!" Rory nervously shielded her behind him. "The punishment has been given, and Brenna has apologized. Let's consider this matter closed. Just don't keep holding onto it."
"Rory, this is the second time already." Bailey reminded him coldly, "If something similar happens again, I hope that as the king, you can be fair. If you keep blaming me every time, I'm not a person with a good temper." Her gaze was sharp, almost like a threat.
Rory looked at her with a complex expression. Bailey was full of thorns, which made him feel particularly unfamiliar.
The difference between her now and before was significant, as if she had become a completely different person!
Bailey, on the other hand, didn't have time to pay attention to him. She lowered her head, examined Grant's injuries, and said to Meghan, "Bring me some dandelion."
She crushed the dandelion stems and leaves, gently applying them to Grant's wounds.
Rory grabbed her hand and questioned, "What are you doing?"