Chapter 148: Chapter 2: A Visit from the Princess, a Greeting for Uncle-in-law

"My lord, my lady." Bernard bowed slightly. "Her Highness Princess Elizabeth of the Royal Family has made a sudden visit. She is waiting in the drawing room."

Murphy and Aurora exchanged a look of surprise.

Aurora asked softly, "This princess... by generation, she would be Duke Temeris’s grandniece, wouldn’t she? King Henry just passed away not long ago. Why would she visit so suddenly?"

Bernard maintained his respectful posture. "Her Highness the Princess did not state her purpose, but she brought many precious gifts with her."

"A visit at a time like this..." Murphy mused. "I’m afraid it’s not a simple courtesy call."

Aurora lifted her head from where it had been resting on Murphy’s shoulder and turned to him. "I’ve heard some rumors lately... It seems this princess wishes to establish a closer connection with Duke Temeris through us."

She gave Murphy a meaningful look. "For the past ten years, Margaret has worked hard to become a duchess with her own fiefdom. Now, with the new King’s position still unstable, all the major powers are looking for reliable allies."

Murphy looked slightly awkward at her words and gently adjusted his collar.

But Aurora suddenly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, Duke Temeris’s daughter, the Little Princess named Eleanor, is turning five next month. I’ve already prepared a birthday gift from you."

Murphy squeezed Aurora’s hand and said in a low voice, "I don’t actually have to go."

Aurora gazed at Murphy, her eyes filled with a firmness that brooked no refusal.

Under her gaze, Murphy finally relented, nodding in resignation. "Alright, I’ll go. I’ll go."

Bernard remained silent the entire time, as if he hadn’t heard a word of their conversation.

...

When Murphy entered the drawing room alone, the afternoon sun was streaming through the tall glass windows, casting a golden glow over the entire space.

In the center of the drawing room, a young girl in formal attire stood quietly.

Princess Elizabeth wore an exquisite silver coronet on her head.

Her jet-black hair was meticulously woven into complex braids, cascading elegantly from beneath the coronet to her waist.

The girl wore a deep blue silk gown, the collar and cuffs embroidered with the delicate royal crest in silver thread.

Its layered skirt shimmered with a subtle luster in the sunlight.

Through thin, white silk stockings, the faint outline of her slender legs was visible.

On her feet were a pair of silver satin high heels, adorned with tiny pearls that glimmered softly with her slightest movement.

The twelve-year-old princess looked like an exquisite porcelain doll. Her fair skin appeared almost translucent against her black hair and eyes, and her dark irises held a composure that belied her age.

After the last attendant withdrew from the drawing room and gently closed the heavy oak door, Elizabeth suddenly took a step forward, knelt without hesitation, and crossed her hands over her chest in a formal royal obeisance.

"Elizabeth greets Uncle." Her voice was as clear as a silver bell, her tone firm and unquestionable.

Murphy studied the girl’s face and expression, which bore a striking resemblance to Margaret’s when he had first met her, and frowned slightly. "Your Highness has the wrong person. I am not your uncle."

"Yes, you are." Elizabeth lifted her head, her dark eyes looking directly at Murphy. "You are the most important person to my aunt, Margaret Leonice Temeris Purple Eagle. Therefore, you are my uncle."

"Your Highness," Murphy’s voice remained calm, "such a title is inappropriate."

Elizabeth remained kneeling, her slender fingers gently smoothing her skirt. "My aunt once told me that you were the one who secretly helped her during her most difficult times. Over the years, you have provided her with countless forms of support, which is how she achieved the status she has today."

Murphy walked to the window and gazed into the distance. "Duke Temeris achieved what she has today through her own talent and hard work. More importantly..." He turned slowly, a sharp glint flashing in his deep, dark eyes, "not only have you fabricated a lie about Duke Temeris confiding private matters to you, but the content of what you’ve said is also a fabrication."

The color drained from Elizabeth’s face for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "You don’t believe me?"

"I believe in facts." Murphy walked slowly to the main seat and sat down with a composed air. "Now, let’s stop this game. Tell me, who sent you here to say these things?"

The girl’s fingertips tightened unconsciously, pinching the pleats of her skirt.

Sunlight filtered through the window, casting dappled light and shadow on her youthful face.

She hesitated for a moment, then slowly rose to her feet, elegantly smoothing the wrinkles from her dress. "Even if some of the details I mentioned were inaccurate, your special relationship with my aunt is an open secret within the Royal Family."

She took two steps forward, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor. "Now that the new King has ascended the throne, the various powers are all repositioning themselves. Securing my aunt’s support is crucial to maintaining the Kingdom’s stability."

"So," Murphy’s gaze remained calm, "you chose to test the waters in this manner?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"This is not a test," Elizabeth lifted her chin slightly, trying to maintain her imposing air, "this is for the future of the Kingdom. You should understand that the situation is delicate right now. Every choice carries great weight."

Murphy said coolly, "Paving the way with lies—is this how you prepare for the Kingdom’s future?"

The girl’s expression faltered. "Everything I’m doing is for..."

"For what?" Murphy cut her off, his gaze like a torch. "To secure your father’s throne? Or to satisfy the ambitions of certain nobles?"

Elizabeth subconsciously took half a step back, a flash of panic in her dark eyes.

The conversational rhythm she had so carefully planned was completely disrupted; now, she was the one being interrogated.

Murphy stood up and walked slowly toward her. "Let me guess who’s been whispering in your ear. Was it Count Wilson? Or was it your father, so eager to solidify his hold on the throne?"

"You... How did you know...?" Elizabeth’s voice trembled slightly.

"Because their ploys are far too obvious." Murphy stopped in front of her, looking down at her. "Tell your father that if he wants Duke Temeris’s support, he should send an official envoy to the Temeris Territory, not use a twelve-year-old child for such a dangerous probe."

Elizabeth bit her lower lip. The composure that had belied her age was long gone; now, she truly looked like a helpless young girl.

"Now," Murphy’s tone softened slightly, "you may go back. Remember, this conversation never happened."

Elizabeth lowered her head and answered in a small voice, "Yes... Lord Melfield."

As she turned to leave, Murphy noticed the faint glint of tears in her eyes. That stubborn yet wronged expression, however, was completely different from Margaret’s.

The deep blue skirt of her gown fluttered behind her, her departing figure completely devoid of the confidence and composure she had arrived with.