Owen went to Matthew's mansion in order to pay Harper a visit. He had assumed that he would be able
to see her in person by
claiming that Francis was feeling unwell. Unexpectedly, he was turned away.
Looking at Nina with wide open eyes, he couldn't believe his ears. "Nina, didn't you tell Her Highness
that it's me, the one who
works for Prince Francis, wanting to see her?" he asked again for confirmation.
"Her Highness said that you may turn back. She won't go to Prince Francis' mansion now, and even
added that she will never go
there again in the future," Nina told him, then turned around and walked away. She dared not let
anyone in, because the woman
in the Phoenix House now was not the real Harper. Otherwise, the truth might be revealed for everyone
to know.
In shock, Owen's eyes widened even more. He could not understand what had happened. 'What could
possibly be wrong with
Her Highness? Hasn't she always got along well with my master? Why was she suddenly refusing to
go see him? How could she
even say she would never come back to my master's mansion?' he pondered in utter bafflement.
Owen sensed that something was amiss. He decided he had better tell Francis about this straightaway.
So he rushed back to
Francis' mansion and informed him that Harper had shut him out.
"Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!" Francis coughed hoarsely after Owen delivered the news. "Were those her
actual words?"
"Yes. Your Highness. Are you all right?" Owen said with concern. He then poured a cup of warm water
and handed it over to
Francis to ease his discomfort.
However, Francis merely shook his head and refused the drink. He asked, "Did she really say that she
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would never come here
again?"
Owen's eyes reddened a bit, and then he replied, "I didn't even manage to see her in person. Nina
came to deliver Lady Harper's
answer, and said that she refused to see me and asked me to go back. She told me that Lady Harper
also said she would never
come here anymore."
Francis leaned against the headboard, feeling utterly dejected by this news. The light in his eyes
dimmed. After a while, he forced himself to regain his composure and ordered, "Get the carriage ready.
I'll go to see her myself." "But, Your Highness, your condition..." Owen balked. He thought it was a
reckless idea for Francis to go out when he was still so weak.
"I'm fine. I just have a cold," Francis said, taking a deep breath. Then he asked his servants to get him
ready. After he was fully dressed up, Owen put a cloak on him to shield him from the cold. Francis
looked at Owen's hands which were busy tying the cloak for him. He then remembered that on the day
of the emperor's birthday banquet, Harper had also put a cloak for him gently like this. It warmed his
heart to recall that. He did not want to lose that feeling, and he craved it again. "Your Highness, are you
sure about going there now? Your health is not robust. Why don't you go there after you make a
recovery?" Owen suggested. He was still very worried about Francis' health, despite his insistence.
"No, I'm fine. I'll go there without another moment's delay," Francis answered in a firm tone. He knew
that the incident at the birthday banquet had raised suspicions in Harper and Matthew. He couldn't
imagine what might happen if he let the matter go. He didn't want things to get out of hand. Although
Francis went to Matthew's mansion in person, he had to wait in the living room, and neither Matthew
nor Harper came
out to see him. Matthew was still at the Imperial Palace, at the regular court session with the emperor.
As for Harper, she did not
want to see him.
Francis waited for a long time, yet still no one came to welcome him. So he walked out and stopped
Noah, asking, "Steward
Noah, is Aunt Harper at home?"
"Greetings, Your Highness. Yes, Her Highness is in the mansion." Noah told him the truth.
"Would you please show me the way to her place? I want to visit her there... Kaaahhkkk, kaaahhkkk,
kaaahhkkk...." Before he
could even finish his words, he had a sudden and violent cough, as if he were about to cough his lungs
out. His pale face turned
red suddenly because of the fierce cough.
"Your Highness, if you feel uncomfortable, I think maybe you ought to go back now. When His
Highness comes back, I will tell him about your visit," Noah suggested upon seeing Francis have such
a bad cough. He feared the consequences if Francis were to pass out there. Francis, however, shook
his head and replied, "No, I will stay here. I must see her, and I won't leave until I see her." Noah stood
there in uncertainty for a while, before replying, "Your Highness, Her Highness lives in the Phoenix
House, but I'm not sure whether she will be willing to see you." Then he ordered, "Maid, lead His
Highness to the Phoenix House."
"Yes, Steward Noah,"
replied a maid. The maid then led Francis to the Phoenix House. A drizzle began to fall at that moment,
so she led Francis along
the corridor to avoid the rain. But the corridor did not go all the way to the Phoenix House. If they
wanted to enter the Phoenix
House, they still had to get soaked in the rain for a moment.
They soon arrived near the Phoenix House. The maid then said to Francis, "Your Highness, please wait
here a moment. The
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Phoenix House is ahead. Allow me to fetch an umbrella for you."
"No need. You can leave now," Francis said, waving his hand to her in dismissal. He stood at the end of
the corridor and saw the
plaque not far away. The handwriting was tall and vigorous, cold and murderous. It was obviously
written by Matthew.
Looking at the open door of the Phoenix House and then at Francis, Owen suggested in concern, "Your
Highness, why don't we
wait for the rain to stop? I think..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Francis had already stepped into the rain. He walked slowly
to the Phoenix House, yet
his footsteps were firm. But he stopped at the gate and did not enter.
"Your Highness, please go inside," Owen urged him in worry. The rain was becoming heavier, and
Francis was in poor health. If
he stayed in the rain for a long time, Owen feared that his health would suffer.
But Francis merely shook his head. He just stood there without moving. It was true that he was
desperate to see Harper, but he
didn't want to break into her house. He didn't want her to think of him as discourteous. Therefore, he
preferred to stand outside,
waiting for her to come out. He did not believe that she could be so heartless as to watch him in the
rain.
"Your Highness, the rain is becoming heavier. You haven't made a full recovery yet. Why not wait back
there in the corridor
instead?" Owen tried desperately to convince him.
But Francis was stubborn and shook his head. He insisted on standing in front of the gate, staring at
the gate with his tender
eyes. If Harper didn't see him that day, he was determined to stay there until he saw her. He wouldn't
give up so easily.