If someone else do it then it would be fine but because she was born by her mother, grew up as the young mistress of the Lotus palace and the Saintess she had to bear such comments like that on a daily basis.
They might not like her and she wouldn't mind but her goal was to create a better living standard for those who relied upon her. With her they have jobs, food and a roof over their heads. She hated being poverty stricken.
There were so many officials out there who stole from the people and fill their own coffers. Such people like that she destroys after completely sucking them dry. She needed to get a good night sleep or else it will be very hard for her to travel.
****
He was very worried ever since Valery left the mountain. He had no idea what she was up to except for Nora. He knew they promised not to keep secrets between them but she had too many and he understood her. She was the mistress and so many people were relying on her.
Maybe she will tell him when she returns. Because he was worried sick the whole day, he spent it inspecting everywhere when he found the maids testing for poison the gifts his mother sent. It really shook him and made him wonder what was happening.
He called one of the maids who shook with fear but finally spoke the truth.
"We were instructed to check everything for any type of poison," she said.
"Why would you do that?" he asked her.
"The two bottles of pearl powder had poison in them so Lady Nora was worried that more things will be poisoned. She didn't want the mistress to go on another killing spree," the maid confessed and he felt his legs weaken.
"Okay, you may get back to your work and there should be no word about this," he told the maid before he left.
Why would his mother try to kill the woman he loves? Didn't she agree and even sent the gifts? Now he understood the reason why Valery broke the first bottle and refused to give him the other bottle. Why did she eat that powder fully knowing the other bottles were poisoned?
She was really protecting him from behind all this time? He kept insisting on protecting her and yet from the first day she was the one doing the protecting. He wasn't able to protect his woman from his own mother. Why would his mother try to kill her savior and his too?
Did she really hated Valery that much that she would risk angering her? It wasn't a secret that Valery pays her debts. She always avenges whatever happens to her. Was she taking this trip to secretly deal with his mother?
He was very worried that he instructed the secret guards to safe guard her since she didn't take any on her journey. They were supposed to follow her and report anything on her journey.
He was busy having his supper when a messenger came back.
"The Mistress revealed herself to the public," the guard told him.
He left his food immediately and took a horse.
He rode as fast as he could to reach the city. Luckily the gates had not been closed yet. Whe