The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 292: Shameless

Queen Isabella's POV:

Cindy's figure emerged from the end of the corridor. She smoothed down a skirt that wasn't the least bit rumpled and curved her lips in a faint, amused smile.

"Her Highness's carriage must move remarkably fast."

She returned to the main hall just as I finished the last pastry on my plate.

Martha had stood watch at the front gates for half the morning, sneezing in the cold, and hadn't seen a single carriage arrive.

Yet, Margaret now appeared from the inner courtyard, surrounded by a cluster of attendants.

She had changed into a lounging gown, her hair loose, her expression drowsy as if freshly awakened. She had never gone out at all. She'd been hiding inside her own home.

Heat shot up my spine.

"Margaret!" I shot to my feet. "Weren't you out? Why are you coming from inside the house?"

Margaret blinked at us with feigned surprise. "Oh? Isabella? Cindy? I just returned through the back gate. I was exhausted, so I changed first. What brings you here?"

The performance was so clumsy it was almost insulting.

Cindy smiled and offered a flawless bow.

"Greetings, Aunt Margaret."

After the courtesy, she went straight to the point. "Aunt Margaret, we're here to settle the wager."

"Wager?" Margaret tilted her head. "What wager?"

"The one from last night." Cindy's tone was light. "Her Majesty staked the dragon ruby. She said that if I didn't pursue the matter, you would owe her 1,000 gold coins. I am not pursuing it. So, we've come to collect the prize. The 1,000 gold coins—and my dragon ruby. Kindly return them."

I hurried to add, "Yes, Margaret. We agreed on it last night. You can't go back on your word."

Margaret stared at us, and her smile slowly died.

She looked at me the way one might look at a fool.

"What wager? What ruby? I have no idea what you're talking about."

She spread her hands—just like that, she denied everything.

"Isabella, did you drink too much last night? When did I take your ruby? When did I make such an absurd bet? I am a princess of royal blood. Why would I stoop so low as to incite someone to steal her daughter-in-law's dowry?"

I stood there, stunned.

I hadn't imagined she could be this shameless.

"You—you're lying!" I cried. "You took it yourself! Martha saw it! In the side hall! You said you'd hold it first in case I reneged!"

"Martha?" Margaret cast a glance at the trembling woman kneeling nearby and gave a dismissive laugh. "She's your attendant. Of course, she'll speak for you. Where's the proof? Do you have a written receipt? A third witness?"

"You..." My hands shook. "How can you do this? We're family!"

"Family or not, you can't sling accusations around." Margaret's face hardened. "If anything, it sounds like you're desperate for money. You barge into my residence to extort me? Guards—see them out."

Cindy's POV:

Watching Queen Isabella sputter, flushed and trembling on the verge of collapse, I sighed inwardly.

It took a devil to deal with a devil.

Queen Isabella, who could only play tyrant within her own walls, was no match for someone like Margaret.

"Aunt Margaret."

I stepped forward, positioning myself between them, my smile still soft and composed.

"Do you truly not remember? The dragon ruby was the size of a fist. Red as fresh blood. Quite unforgettable."

"I said I didn't take it!" Margaret snapped, waving her hand. "Cindy, don't think marrying Adam gives you the right to slander your elders. Be careful, or I'll report you to His Majesty!"

"Report me?"

I smiled. "Please do. I find the situation rather curious myself. If you insist you never took it, then perhaps Her Majesty misremembered. Or perhaps ... someone interfered?"

I let the words hang. "In any case, we'll verify the matter first, but..."

I paused, and my gaze sharpened, my voice lowering to something cool and steady.

"Tomorrow, I will host a return banquet for my allies. As agreed, I'll also visit the academy to pay respects to my mentor and my seniors. The heads of the major guilds will be present. So will the commander of the Crimson Dragon Mercenary Company."