Rufus’ POV:
We chatted for a little while longer. Then Sylvia needed to go to class, so we reluctantly got off the
phone. I headed out of the study to attend a meeting. Just then, Maya approached me to report the latest
finding
“Miss Quinn is in the queen’s place right now.”
As she spoke, I took my suit jacket from an attendant. “I suppose now’s a good opportunity to show my
mother just what kind of she-wolf the girl she likes is.”
“Prince Rufus, please bear in mind that you have a meeting later,” the attendant reminded me. “Postpone
it,” I said flatly. “Okay.”
On the way to my mother’s place, I ran into my father and Richard.
“Father!” I greeted him. I was planning to leave after saying hello, but to my surprise, Richard stopped
me.
“Where are you going in such a hurry, dear brother?” Richard asked, smiling warmly at me.
He always pretended that we were close whenever my father was present.
“To Mother’s. Care to join me?” I asked dryly.
Richard’s expression changed subtly. “No, it’s okay. I have something to deal with at school. I’ll visit
Mother some other day.”
I sneered and didn’t say anything more. He had always been at odds with Laura, so I knew he wouldn’t
go see her. At most, he would simply pretend to be a dutiful son in front of our father.
“But Rufus, your favorite slave is really something. I wonder if Mother knows that. You went out of your
way to send her to the school for training, but your effort was in vain. She hooked up with
another man there,” Richard added snidely. And he emphasized the word “slave” on purpose.
“She has a name, you know? And Sylvia is not a slave. She was admitted into the school because she
passed the exam on her own. You should use your brain first before you speak, unless you don’t have
one,” I said coldly, restraining my raging anger.
Richard was like a pest that kept testing my patience over and over again. Richard gasped
exaggeratedly. “Oh, so, her name is Sylvia! I never knew you had such high expectations for her.”
My father gave me a meaningful look and coughed. “I’ve heard about her, too. She’s an excellent girl, but
she should be more careful with her private life.”
Richard pretended to look remorseful. “If you like her so much, Rufus, there’s nothing we can do about it.
I could only say that such a character as hers must have something to do with one’s
upbringing.” “Nonsense!” All of a sudden, Maya exploded in anger. “Prince Richard, how can you say
that when you don’t know the truth?” “Oh, isn’t this the truth? Or do you have any other explanation for
her raunchy behavior?” Richard feigned a smile. Since our father was here, he didn’t dare to act too
aggressively. “Things have changed now, Prince Richard.” Maya looked at Richard with disdain. “And
anyway, Miss Todd isn’t like that. She was the victim of slander.”
An attendant beside my father stepped forward and explained the latest development. Now that he knew
the whole story, his expression softened. “Oh, so it was all just a misunderstanding.” Richard’s smile
stiffened. “Well, I suppose it’s better that it’s a misunderstanding.” “Oh, please, Prince Richard.” Maya
exposed Richard’s hypocrisy. “It’s you who should pay more attention to those around you. Your fiancee
—” “Enough!” I interrupted her, shooting her a meaningful look. She took the hint and immediately shut
up. I didn’t expect that Maya would talk about Lucy’s affair. I knew she was simply defending me, but it
was a royal scandal after all. It was too reckless for her to talk about it in front of the king and all these
guards present.
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