“It is somewhat helpless to speak of, but that child Tracy has been protected too well by us…”
The normally serious Marquis Carter actually revealed a doting smile when he mentioned his granddaughter, yet his brow was also filled with a sense of helplessness.
Little Tracy was the daughter of the Empress, who was the Marquis’s eldest daughter.
Although Tracy could not be trained as an heir, given the connection between the Carter family and the Imperial Family, there was no need to worry about her affecting the Empress’s position.
“Though my daughter has a pure and kind nature, she can see through the petty schemes of those concubines in the Imperial Palace. She did not want her daughter to be bound by the palace just like her, so she entrusted the child to me to be raised.”
Indeed, after obtaining the Emperor’s permission, Imperial Princess Tracy was handed over to her maternal grandfather, Marquis Carter, to be raised.
Of course, this did not affect Tracy’s treatment as a little terror within the Imperial Palace.
It was simply a clear indication.
It signaled that this little princess, who was close to the Carter family, would not pose any threat to the other princes regarding the succession.
It was also a way for the Carter family to show their sincerity to the Imperial Family.
“Precisely because of this, Tracy was too naive. She was capable of believing too many ill-intentioned things and people… On her tenth birthday, she was pushed into the water by the First Imperial Prince.”
As the Emperor’s first son, the First Imperial Prince’s mother did not come from a background as powerful as the Carter family, but she was still part of a reputable, old-fashioned noble family.
She was constantly engaged in overt and covert power struggles with the Empress.
Even though the Empress had already made it clear that her daughter would not pose any threat, the First Imperial Concubine did not buy it.
She still viewed the Empress and her daughter as imaginary enemies, and this even influenced her child.
“The First Imperial Prince, who was still a minor at the time, lured her to the edge of the pond. Although he did not personally push her, he allowed the playful Tracy to enter the pond to pick lotus leaves, and then he quietly left the scene…”
Speaking up to this point, Marquis Carter could not help but crush the pastry in his hand.
Flour and cream splattered across his palm.
“If the servants hadn’t discovered her in time, Tracy would have lost at least half her life, even if she hadn’t died. In the end, we could only let that little brat off for the time being because there was no evidence…”
Whether it was truly due to a lack of evidence remained unknown.
However, the Emperor only gave a light punishment for the crimes committed by his most valued eldest son.
After all, no matter how much he pretended to be a loving father, he was still a monarch.
He could clearly distinguish between a qualified heir and an influential princess.
Since then, Tracy had been taken back to the territory by Marquis Carter.
She only occasionally returned to the Imperial Palace to act spoiled toward her mother and father, ensuring she didn’t lose her standing in the Emperor’s eyes.
“I have finished telling the story. Please do not breathe a word of this to anyone. It is for the sake of that child…”
After speaking, Marquis Carter smiled, raised his wine glass, and left.
He still had to deal with the social flattery of other nobles, leaving the two of them to leisurely enjoy the imperial afternoon tea.
“That girl acts so heartless and carefree, but she’s even more miserable than me…”
Hailey thought about how she had been victimized before, especially by that Grand Priest Hydra, though she didn’t know if he could even be reincarnated anymore.
He was a member of the Holy See, yet he had tried to kill her.
‘Even though he was turned to ash by the blackened Idledra, I hope the Goddess doesn’t let him reincarnate near me. Just throw him into a nest of Magical Beasts. The more ferocious, the better…’
“It seems you two are very familiar with Marquis Carter. Would you mind if I chatted with you two beautiful ladies?”
A gentlemanly voice joined Hailey and Idledra at an inappropriate time.
Idledra gave the newcomer a disdainful glance, but he did not leave.
He simply waited with a smile.
Looking at the man’s short blonde hair and his well-practiced, fake smile, the first person Hailey thought of was that reckless, brainless Third Prince from the other day.
Of course, the man in front of her was completely different from him.
“If I’m not mistaken… you are the First Imperial Prince, correct?”
“Yes, I am the eldest son of the current Emperor. You may call me Adost. Adost Owen.”
The blonde, green-eyed youth introduced himself in a calm tone, but Hailey felt a sense of pressure—the kind of intimidation that could be felt through his very speech.
Among the imperial children who shared that blonde hair, little Tracy was like an innocent kitten, and the stupid Third Prince was like a reckless, ignorant wild boar.
However, the youth in front of her felt more like a lion—a lion that would use any means necessary to achieve its goals.
It was no wonder the Emperor favored this man as the best future successor.
A monarch with an iron fist was the best choice for an heir, not something the other weak competitors could even look up to.
As for the equally matched Second Prince, one could only say it was a pity.
Furthermore, even ignoring their backgrounds, the gap between the First Imperial Prince and the Second Prince felt like a distance that was difficult to cross.
Hailey just couldn’t put her finger on why at the moment.
“Since I have already introduced myself, I suppose we don’t need to hide anymore, do we? Respected Saintess Idledra, the Holy See is quite anxious because you are missing.”
“Fine.”
Compared to the nobles who didn’t recognize her at all, this man—who could guess her identity based on just a few words with Marquis Carter—was much more intimidating.
At least, he wasn’t a major threat right now.
“Wait, what did he say about the Holy See?”
As if sensing Hailey’s confusion, Adost kindly answered her unspoken question.
“The Holy See recently had an audience with my father. They stated that due to a certain fellow’s mistake, the Saintess accidentally went missing in the Carter family’s territory. Right now, they are applying for permission to enter the Carter Territory.”
At the thought of an opportunity to make things difficult for the Carter family, the First Imperial Prince couldn’t help but reveal a joyful smile, though he quickly suppressed it.
However, if the Holy See were allowed to keep pestering them, the Carter family might not suffer any real damage, but they would inevitably be framed.
As for what to do, it all depended on the Saintess.
“If you are willing, I will go explain the situation to my father right now. Perhaps that would put the members of the Holy See at ease.”
“Do you mean you want me to owe you a favor? Doing work for the First Imperial Prince certainly wouldn’t be that simple, would it?”
The First Imperial Prince did not speak, but his smile served as a silent confirmation.
If Hailey refused, it was very likely the Holy See would pin the blame on the Carter family. But if they agreed…
“Fine, we agree.”
Idledra gently squeezed Hailey’s hand to comfort her and agreed to the blatant condition the First Imperial Prince had laid out.
The man was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a smile and hurried away.
“You agreed just like that? Aren’t you afraid he’ll pull another trick?”
“As you said, Hailey, you aren’t the Saintess he is looking for. You are my Saintess.”
Idledra watched his departing back and smiled with contempt and disdain.
‘What does a favor owed by Saintess Idledra have to do with my Hailey?’