Chapter 5: Remembrance and Revelation

Every time I dreamed this, I would awaken. The dream always started with a shimmer of moonlight, a chill running down my spine, and the distant sound of a bugle.

I woke with a parched mouth, checking the clock on the nightstand, clutching my pillow, and calling softly for Miles to bring me water.

That soldier was tall, lean, and strong—superior even to Harrison.

I knew with certainty that he was not Harrison.

Whose young master was he? I found myself truly fond of him, my heart racing as I tried to piece together the mystery.

Miles limped in, obediently bringing me water.

“So slow, I’ll dock your monthly pay.”

I took the water with annoyance and glanced at Miles.

But I was stunned.

Miles’s figure and build—how were they so similar to the soldier in my dreams?

I kept Savannah’s words in mind.

I discreetly asked many people in the mansion.

They all looked bewildered.

I asked when they had started working here.

They all said about two months ago, transferred from the Shun family estate.

I sensed something was wrong.

Counting from when they arrived at the mansion,

All the staff had been transferred from the Shun estate while I was in a coma.

What about the previous staff?

I asked Miles.

Once again, Miles pretended to be hard of hearing, dragging his lame leg as he fed the fat koi in the pond.

I turned to another wing.

It was truly unfortunate—I stumbled right into Savannah’s rooms.

I hadn’t caught a staff member, but Savannah caught me instead.

She called out to me.

“Sis, are you free today? Come admire the koi with me.”

She was beautiful but fierce. Fearing she would plot against me behind my back, I agreed.

But she schemed against me openly, pushing me into the pond with a cold expression as I flailed.

I could not swim.

I thrashed frantically in the water, nearly swallowing my fill. The cold shock hit me like a slap, the taste of muddy water filling my mouth, the river’s roar in my ears. My dress tangled around my legs as I struggled, the world spinning and the sounds above me muffled by the water.

My consciousness faded, and I began to sink.

But I saw a blue figure shove Savannah aside and leap into the water.

The figure drew closer and closer.

His face grew clearer and clearer—

I saw it clearly.

The heroic soldier in my dreams was Miles.

When Miles pulled me from the water, I was still in shock.

Savannah looked furious and kicked Miles’s bad leg.

“Stupid servant, who told you to meddle?”

“Someone, beat this worthless servant to death for me.”

Immediately, two attendants dragged Miles aside and began to beat him mercilessly with sticks.

Miles was mute, unable even to cry out.

“Miles...”

Once I recovered, I saw Miles was barely breathing and rushed over to stop the two men.

But Savannah had people restrain me, forcing me to watch as Miles was beaten to death.

I struggled and wept uncontrollably as I watched Miles, my stomach twisting with nausea, my voice raw from screaming, my hands reaching out to shield my eyes from the horror.

I did not know why I cried, for I had always disliked Miles.

Miles’s face, white as a sheet, turned to me. He was on the verge of death, yet suddenly smiled at me.

“Noble Consort, please spare him.”

I pleaded again and again, my voice cracking, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Savannah sneered, “If you don’t die, then he must. Who told the governor to still call your name in the middle of the night?”

“The governor’s here—”

Mr. Douglas’s calm, aged voice rang out.

Everyone stopped.

All my strength left me.

I thought, we’re saved.

Miles is saved.

Harrison entered, humming a tune.

“How lively it is in here today.”

His gaze swept over us, and seeing Miles’s condition, he laughed.

“Don’t stop—keep going.”

The sticks rained down on Miles once more.

“No—”

Terrified, I broke free from the staff and threw myself over Miles.

The sight of blood and mangled flesh suddenly awakened my memories.

I remembered.

I am not just a consort.

I am the deposed First Lady of Maple Heights, the youngest daughter most beloved by the former state senator.

And I—

I was in love with Miles. My heart thundered, my breath caught, and the truth struck me with a force that left me trembling: I had always been in love with Miles.