The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 337: Chapter 337

Mary had just warned her yesterday to be wary of parasites, and now someone was already trying to put her in her place.
If it weren't for the magical water sharpening her vision, she might have completely missed the bug.
The young palace maid froze, then leaned closer to inspect the stool. After a careful look, she finally spotted the small black bug.
She immediately bowed as she pleaded, "Your Grace, I've failed in my duties. Please punish me."
The palace parties were known for their obsessive attention to cleanliness. Not even a speck of dust was allowed, let alone a bug.
And yet, there was a bug on the Holy Lady's seat. If it had been someone with a harsher temper, these maids might have been executed.
The maid's head remained bowed as she started to tremble, feeling terrified.
"Clean this up. You'll stay by my side later," Eliza said.
"Yes."
'Since they're trying to put me in my place, I'll play along,' Eliza thought.
Eliza glanced at the maid. After having her clean up the area, Eliza didn't dismiss her.
Eliza settled back into her seat, reached under the table, and released a small black spider.
This spider, nurtured with magical water and poison, wasn't an insect but venom.
Since they wanted a contest, she'd gladly see whose poison was deadlier.
Before long, most of the expected guests had arrived, including those from the Stonor family.
Eliza lifted her gaze slightly and, as expected, spotted Sophie seated beside Gabriel across the table. The only ones absent were Matthew and Anthony.
Sophie looked up and met her eyes. Their gazes clashed in a silent battle of wills.
Moments later, Sophie was struck by a sudden thought. She shot Eliza a sharp glare before quickly looking away with a frown.
Sitting quietly and obediently next to Gabriel, Sophie seemed unusually well-behaved, almost out of character.
Just as Eliza found this odd, someone suddenly took the empty seat beside her.
The strong presence and familiar aura made her instinctively turn her head.
Sure enough, it was Nolan.
"When did you get here?" she asked.
He replied, "Just a little while ago. Why didn't you wait for me so we could come together?"
Eliza was puzzled. "We weren't even heading in the same direction."
"It was just a detour of two streets. How is that not the same direction?" Nolan countered, unwilling to let it go.
Eliza sighed in resignation. "Fine, fine. Your Highness, how about we head back together after the party? That should be on the way, right?"
"No," Nolan replied.
Eliza gave him a confused look.
With a mischievous grin, Nolan quipped, "I'm afraid if people see me walking with Serenity, they'll start gossiping about us. That wouldn't be good, would it?"
Eliza's resignation turned into speechlessness. "Yet, you still had the nerve to ask me to wait for you earlier?"
Nolan simply chuckled, saying nothing more.
Eliza couldn't be bothered with him anymore.
Almost as soon as their brief exchange ended, loud announcements echoed from outside the hall, "The king is here! The Empress Dowager is here!"
Eliza rose along with the crowd and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Greetings, Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager!"
"Everyone, please sit." King Magnus entered the grand hall with a smile, accompanied by the Empress Dowager.
Once seated, King Magnus waved his hand. "Alright, I invited everyone to celebrate First Moon Day today. Let's all relax and enjoy ourselves. Eat, drink, and enjoy the performances."
With King Magnus's words, the ministers naturally eased up.
Delicious dishes and fine wine were served, while musicians and dancers took their places.
For a moment, the hall was filled with laughter and festive cheer.
Soon, one minister after another stood up, presenting their gifts to the king.
From antique paintings to emeralds and gold artifacts, there were endless varieties.
Finally, when it was the senior officials' turn, the item that Eliza had been waiting for made its debut.
However, she didn't expect the speaker to be Fletcher, the Chancellor.
Fletcher said, "Your Majesty, I have come today to present a rare treasure to you."
"Fletcher, what did you bring us today?" King Magnus asked.
Fletcher stepped forward, holding an intricately carved wooden box. His excitement was evident as he said, "Your Majesty, this treasure came into my possession by sheer chance not long ago. At first, I couldn't believe it myself. It took several renowned physicians to confirm its authenticity. And now, I brought it here to present to Your Majesty."
After building up the suspense for the king and everyone else, Fletcher carefully opened the box.
"This, Your Majesty, is the Snow Lotus, a rare elixir."
Gasps rippled through the hall at the mention of the Snow Lotus.
"The Snow Lotus?"
"Is it the Snow Lotus, the life-saving elixir that grows only on the high mountains and is almost impossible to find?"
"To think that Fletcher has been hiding something this extraordinary all along."
Even the Empress Dowager's eyes were glinting with curiosity, let alone the king's. She asked, "Is this truly the Snow Lotus?"
Inside the box lay a pristine white lotus, its petals shimmering like freshly fallen snow, untouched and flawless. It was exactly the same as the Snow Lotus described in books.
"Who knows if it's real or not?"
"Since he dares to offer it to the king, it can't be fake."
"Humph, people say the Snow Lotus is incredibly rare. Has anyone here actually seen one?"
"I have."
As the court buzzed with speculation, a graceful figure rose from beside Gabriel.
Sophie's face was hidden behind a veil.
Ever since the king had humiliated her, calling her "too stupid to be his queen," she'd been nursing a grudge.
Now, back in the palace, she couldn't even show her face in public.
The king's mocking words about "love at first sight" had sealed her fate. Even though she couldn't become his queen, she was forced to hide behind the white veil.
But fortunately, the white veil concealed the fury twisting her features beneath.
She swallowed her anger, remembering the words of the mysterious figure who had approached her days ago. No matter how much hatred she felt, she forced herself to suppress it.
Revenge was a dish best served cold.
She would have her vengeance, sooner or later.
"Your Majesty, I've seen a real Snow Lotus."