"Kelsey, who is this person?"
"Dad? You're finally awake. That's fantastic!" Kelsey couldn't believe her eyes as she looked at her dad, feeling overwhelmingly grateful towards Bailey.
This was like something out of a miracle! Kneeling before Bailey, Kelsey spoke with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Highness, for coming to our rescue."
"Don't thank me just yet. Hurry and help your dad take the medicine."
The medicine was extremely bitter, and the old man wrinkled his brow while swallowing it. After a few sips, he vomited, accidentally soiling Bailey's clothes. Bailey was checking his pulse and was caught off guard, resulting in some stains on her attire.
Kelsey was terrified and fell to her knees, repeatedly apologizing, "I'm so sorry, Your Highness. It's entirely my fault. Please forgive me!"
However, Bailey merely frowned momentarily and cleaned the stains with a clean cloth.
"It's alright. I'll go change my clothes when I get back."
Kelsey was astonished that the queen consort didn't reprimand her! She felt even more remorseful, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Follow this prescription to prepare the medicine. Give it to your father twice daily, in the morning and at night. I will come back every five days to check on his progress. As with your contract with the palace, I'll have it destroyed. Use the money to buy medication and seek medical care for your father."
Overwhelmed by the queen consort's kindness, Kelsey fell to the ground, crying, "Your Highness, I am truly sorry. I was deceived and intentionally placed as a spy by someone, specifically to serve the Side Consort. If only I had known that you were such a compassionate person, I would never have done such a thing!"
Bailey frowned and asked, "Who instructed you?"
"It was a girl named Lilly, who serves as a personal maid to Brenna."
Lilly was Brenna's devoted personal maid.
Bailey said coldly, "Return the money to her and tell her I found your family burdensome, which is why I didn't choose you. Say no more and be cautious not to get into trouble."
"Your father is my patient, and I will take full responsibility for his treatment."
Unbeknownst to them, someone on the rooftop carefully replaced the tiles and discreetly eavesdropped on their entire conversation to report back later.
Rory heard from the undercover guard's report that Bailey had performed a specialized treatment on the old man, and he wore a slightly annoyed expression. This woman has no sense of decency. What happened next?"
"The old man accidentally vomited on Her Majesty's clothes."
Rory sneered, "The queen consort must have been furious and scolded them, right?"
The guard denied it. "No. Her Highness didn't get angry."
Rory was extremely puzzled. Bailey would have lashed out at the old man considering her previous haughty behavior.
Besides, she would never have bothered treating a servant, let alone touching them.
'Did they say anything else?"
The guard pursed his lips, carefully considering his words, and eventually spoke up. "The maid, in gratitude for the queen consort's favor, revealed the truth. The concubine intentionally placed her as a spy by the queen consort's side."
Rory didn't believe his words at all. "Nonsense
The guard knelt on the ground, feeling utterly helpless.
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
He wouldn't have believed what had transpired if he hadn't witnessed everything with his own eyes.
Danny stood by, ready to defend the guard's honesty. "Your Majesty, the concubine had perhaps noticed the profound changes the queen consort had undergone lately. Hence, she dispatched someone to observe her actions. It was not out of any ill intent, as the concubine's nature is inherently benevolent."
Rory knew deep down that the guard would never deceive him. Upon hearing Danny's speculation, his expression softened. "It must be as you say. Brenna has always been gentle. How could she do anything to harm the queen consort?"
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Rory waved his hand dismissively at the guard. "Continue to monitor every move of the queen consort closely."
Meanwhile, the grand halls of the Shoreline Pavilion embraced an air of tranquility.
Brenna unleashed a resounding slap upon Lilly's face, shattering the delicate teacups upon impact. Fuming with anger, she vented, "Useless creature! How could you fail even in such a trivial matter? How did that foolish woman manage to reject Kelsey so easily?"
Trembling, Lilly knelt on the ground, her voice filled with trepidation. "Mrs. Mack, Kelsey was turned away due to her family's affliction. Your Highness worried that she might transmit the ailment to the estate residents. Consequently, she was dismissed, and her indenture contract was ordered to be burnt."
Brenna seethed with anger, "It's all because of your incompetence! That foolish woman has become astute. If we attempt to send another person forcefully, she will undoubtedly grow suspicious!"
Unless there existed an irrefutable reason that Bailey couldn't refuse....
Brenna tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table, her mind brewing with a new scheme.
In a calm tone, she instructed Lilly, "Quietly make a trip to Noel's Manor..."
Once Bailey returned, she would promptly examine Meghan's condition. Meghan's fever had abated, and even the wounds on her hands began to form scabs. Bailey breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for her timely intervention.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed at the entrance. Bailey's right eyelid twitched as she caught sight of a resplendently dressed woman breezing through the door.
The figure before her was none other than her half-sister, Alicia Noel.
Bearing a resemblance to Bailey, Alicia exuded an air of superiority. Her chin held high, she surveyed the room with disdain, epitomizing an aloofness that snubbed all beneath her.
The two sisters had shared a turbulent relationship from their early years. Bailey frowned and asked in a restrained tone, "What brings you here?"
"I have come to visit you, yet you neglected to extend the courtesy of greeting me. What manner of expression is that?" Alicia took a seat without asking, casting a disdainful glance toward Meghan. "Why does this servant appear so lackluster? Can't you find someone with grace to serve tea and water?"
"I do not need you to concern yourself with those in my employ. Considering the date, you should be preoccupied with your impending union to the Fifth Prince. How have you managed to find time to visit me?"
Alicia had been betrothed to the Fifth Prince, Sidney Lowery, since birth, and the time for their union had arrived.
"Do you think I willingly came here? Father was concerned about your well-being. knowing the hardships you endure. Hence, he instructed me to send a thoughtful maid to your side."
With a wave of her hand, Alicia beckoned towards the door, and a maid in gray entered, offering a respectful curtsey.
"My name is Daisy, Your Majesty."
Bailey let out a cold laugh and retorted, "What is the implication behind all this?
"The implication is that Daisy will remain within the palace from now on. Father knows of your limited faculties and has assigned someone to stay by your side, offering guidance whenever necessary. This is for the greater good of the Noel family and your benefit."
"I acknowledge your good intentions, but I decline to retain this person," Bailey resolutely rejected without hesitation.
"Are you granting yourself some dignity?" Alicia had merely come to inform her, not to seek her opinion. "This person will remain, whether you like it or not. If you anger Father, he may not be able to touch you, but what about your mother?"
Bailey's right eyelid twitched, her thoughts consumed by the memories of the original host's biological mother. She found herself unable to voice a refusal.