The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 290: What If She Refuses to Admit It

Cindy's POV:

I smiled faintly and didn't respond to Queen Isabella's praise. Instead, I asked casually, "By the way, Mother. I heard you and Princess Margaret opened a cosmetics shop together. How's the business?"

Queen Isabella was still riding high on excitement. Without thinking, she began complaining. "Oh, don't even mention it. That shop has been losing money for years. I've poured my personal savings into plugging that hole."

"Losing money?" I raised a brow, letting a note of surprise slip into my voice. "What business runs at a loss forever? Hasn't it ever broken even?"

Her expression flickered. She clearly realized she'd said too much—the cosmetics shop was something she'd kept from His Majesty.

She quickly corrected herself. "Not always losing money. It's just ... the initial investment was large. It'll turn a profit eventually. Business has its ups and downs."

I nodded, my gaze brushing over her without exposing the understanding settling in my mind.

"And how are the shares divided?" I asked smoothly. "Who holds the contracts and the account books?"

She straightened proudly. "Naturally, I hold the majority! Margaret invited me to partner. She said I'm the Queen—my name carries weight. I own 70 percent. I review the ledgers every quarter. The losses are real. There's nothing to be done."

"And over the years, how much have you subsidized?" I continued lightly.

"Probably ... tens of thousands of gold coins." She waved a hand. "I keep track of every coin. I'm not careless."

Beside me, Adam's face had darkened to the color of a storm cloud.

I added, "Have you ever visited the shop in person?"

She let out a disdainful laugh. "Why would I show up at such a public place? I have Maria managing it—Margaret recommended her. Very professional. I review the books every quarter; I'm not some fool who can be swindled."

Adam and I exchanged a look. The same dry irony flickered in both our eyes.

That shop was thriving. It copied the most popular designs on the market and lured customers with lower prices. There was no chance it was running at a loss, let alone requiring Queen Isabella to subsidize it for years.

Margaret and that shop manager were clearly falsifying accounts and siphoning her money.

Yet, Queen Isabella remained blissfully unaware, still glowing at the thought of winning gold, never realizing she was the fool funding her own humiliation.

I suppressed a cold smile.

"Enough of these trivial matters," I said lightly. "If we're collecting a debt, sooner is better than later. Let's head to the Crystal Palace."

"Yes! At once!" Queen Isabella clapped her hands excitedly and turned to her attendants. "Prepare the carriage! I'll make that Margaret spit out every coin she swallowed!"

Queen Isabella's POV:

The carriage rolled along the grand avenue toward the Crystal Palace.

Adam had been summoned by King Ryken for council, so inside the carriage, it was only Cindy, me, and Martha, who shrank silently in the corner.

The air felt heavy.

Truthfully, I disliked being alone with Cindy. There was something about her presence—she didn't lower her eyes like other women. Instead, she looked at me with something unsettling. Was it pity? As if I were the fool in the room.

To break the silence, I pretended to admire the scenery outside.

"Mother," Cindy suddenly said.

"Yes? What is it?" I was startled.

"If..." She looked at me, her eyes calm as still water. "When we arrive at the Crystal Palace, what if Princess Margaret refuses to return the dragon ruby—or the thousand gold coins?"

I scoffed. "Impossible. Margaret may be unpleasant, but she values her dignity above all else. A bet is a bet. That's the most basic rule among nobles. She wouldn't dare go back on her word."

Cindy said nothing. Instead, she turned toward Martha. "Martha, what do you think?"

Martha trembled and stammered, "I ... I don't know, Your Grace. But Her Highness does ... value her reputation."

Cindy let out a soft, cold laugh.