When Petals Meet The Blade (Priscilla and Waldo) novel Chapter 133

What exactly does she want?

Of course, Adele would never ask that question out loud.

When Jessica left, her displeasure was written all over her face.

Watching her retreating figure, Aryana leaned closer and whispered, “Jessica still holds so much resentment in her heart. Could there really be any chance left between her and Prince Waldo?”

To Aryana’s surprise, Adele chuckled, clearly in excellent spirits. “If she felt nothing at all, then yes, there would be no hope. But resentment that only means she still cares. You only feel wronged by someone you haven’t let go of.”

Aryana’s eyes lit up. “I see. You’re right. You always notice the things others miss.”

Balancing her coffee tray gracefully, Adele’s eyes gleamed with quiet calculation. “Still, Jessica is far too proud. That pride of hers needs to be worn down bit by bit. Otherwise, when she marries in, I might find her harder to control than I’d like.”

After leaving Harmony Palace, Jessica found Monica waiting faithfully by the gate.

The moment she appeared, Monica quickly caught up to her. They dismissed the trailing palace maids and strolled along the winding path through the inner court.

Lowering her voice, Monica said, “Just now, two little maids kept sneaking glances toward Harmony Palace.”

Jessica merely nodded, offering no response.

Monica wisely fell silent.

As expected, they hadn’t made it far when a young palace maid came rushing toward them, breathless. “Miss Yates, Her Majesty requests your presence.”

Jessica followed her into Eminence Palace, where the Queen was seated, playing chess with Prince Derek.

Though only six years old, Derek had been raised under strict discipline and already carried himself with the air of a little sovereign.

“Your Majesty. Prince Derek.” Jessica bowed deeply the moment she entered.

Derek glanced up at her, gave a polite nod, then turned to his mother. “Mother, I’ll go back to my room to read now.”

“Go on,” the Queen said with a warm smile, watching her son retreat.

Only then did she turn her attention fully to Jessica. “Come, sit.”

A maidservant offered Jessica a cup of coffee, then–on the Queen’s subtle signal–everyone but Danna, the Queen’s trusted attendant, was dismissed from the hall.

Even Monica had to remain outside in the courtyard, unable to hear a word.

Night had already fallen deep.

Glancing at the time, the Queen smiled and said, “It’s late. Since you’re still wandering outside the estate at this hour, I won’t waste your time–I’ll get straight to the point.”

Jessica lowered her gaze, hiding any flicker of emotion in her eyes. “Please speak.”

“Jessica,” the Queen asked, “what do you think of Derek?”

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Chapter 133

Jessica replied smoothly. Exceptionally gifted, with the makings of a thie king

The Queen’s smile deepened, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes—until Jessica added calmly, “But he’s still too young. it will be allowed on before he’s ready to stand alone.”

The Queen’s expression stiffened slightly. “Speak freely,” she said, her tone lowering. “I grant you my pardon in advance

Jessica raised her head slightly, her voice soft but unmistakably clear. “Ten years from now, no one can say what the court will look like or who will ass be standing.” She paused, then added, “Recently, I’ve been reading medical texts about preserving the health of elders. If you like, I can share some of those insights with you when I have time.”

She smiled faintly, her words polite, but every syllable struck with chilling precision. “However, the books also say this? no matter how skilled the physician, they can only delay the body’s decay. They cannot turn back fate. Maintenance is possible, immortality is not. I hope Your Majesty will not pin too many hopes on the impossible.”

The Queen’s hand trembled slightly, nearly spilling her cup.

Danna, quick to react, stepped forward and quietly took the cup away, placing it safely on the table.

Even Danna’s heart raced uneasily.

Jessica’s words had crossed a line–yet they had been spoken with disarming honesty.

‘She dares to speak to Her Majesty so openly,‘ Danna thought, stunned. ‘Could it be… Jessica plans to cast her lot with the Queen?”

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