Eleanor waved her hand, and dismissed Henry.


    Did he think she couldn''t see the disdain in his eyes? The more he loathed her, the more she wanted him to remember that he and Grovehill Estate would forever be her subordinates.


    Once Henry left, Eleanor summoned Florence. "Henry ising tonight. Light themps early, and don''t forget to burn the incense. Also, make sure he drinks the herbal tonic before he enters the room." "I understand, Your Highness," Florence replied.


    Eleanor closed her eyes, her expression uncertain. Florence hesitated before speaking again, "Your Highness, you''ve never been fond of getting intimate with the prince consort. Why force yourself?" Still keeping her eyes shut, Eleanor let out a barely audible sigh. "I just suddenly thought of someone."


    "Lord Henry is who he is, and that other person is simply that. Every time you share a bed with the prince consort, you never seem happy," Florence pointed out. Having been her wet nurse, Florence held a high position and could speak her mind. Eleanor opened her eyes, a hint of mockery dancing in her gaze. "Do you think I should keep some lovers around to amuse myself?"


    "That''s not what I meant. I only worry about you," Florence said, waving her hands dismissively. She sighed. "You and Lord Henry can''t stand each other. You even avoid looking at him most days, yet you still have to share a bed with him. It''s truly unfair to you." Eleanor straightened up slightly, and asked, "Do you think I can still have children?"


    Florence gasped in shock. "You still want to have children? You said you wouldn''t bear any more after giving birth to the princess."


    Eleanor said softly, "I used to think that way, but if my elder brother seeds, who will inherit my family''s legacy? Jessica has no children. Wouldn''t that all go to the Marquis of Ironridge''s family?"


    "If you want to have children, then why make the prince consort drink the herbal tonic?" Florence asked, confused.


    Eleanor pressed her fingers against her temples. A cold smile curled on her lips, and her eyes filled with disdain. "As if I would bear his child! If I had a son to inherit the family''s legacy, there''s no way I''d let it have any connection to the Marquis of Grovehill''s family. Of course, à superficial rtionship is necessary to maintain my reputation.


    "I would never bear the child of any man other than my husband. However, Henry knows the truth, and so does the Marquis of Grovehill''s family. And in time, my future son will know as well."


    "Do you really want to find a lover?" Florence asked, slightly taken aback. For so many years, Eleanor had never entertained such thoughts and lived like a widow. Why was she considering it now?


    Eleanor looked up and asked, "Do you know Daniel Sinir?"


    A man from the Sinir family?


    Florence''s heart sank as she shook her head. "I don''t. The Sinir family doesn''t have many members serving in the court. Is Daniel a rising star among their family?" "He''s not much of a rising star. He''s merely been trading out of the city with his dad. He only returned to the capital this year. I''ve met him once."


    "And how is he rted to Hector?" Florence asked cautiously.


    Eleanor extended her hand, examining the orchid designs painted on her nails. She replied nonchntly, "In a way, he''s Hector''s cousin. They share the same great-grandfather. In Hector''s i the family, Ryan is the only male descendant left. Daniel is 27 this year, and is the youngest among Hector''s generation."


    "Have you taken a liking to him? What makes him stand out?"


    Eleanor scoffed. "Stand out? Nothing at all."


    She twirled a strand of hair, her tone turning contemtive. "If I had to say he had one redeeming quality, it would only be that he resembles Hector quite a bit."


    Florence sensed the direction this was heading, and hesitated before speaking. "Your Highness, the Sinir family is known for their pride. I fear he wouldn''t want to be your lover."


    Eleanorughed derisively. "What


    good is pride? But I suppose it''s good that he has it. Besides, I don''t intend to seek his consent. I''ll have someone bring him here by force. Once the drug takes effect, I look like a goddess in his eyes." Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Florence was taken aback. "You''ve already brought him here? With the Emberfest Festival approaching, there will be high priests and variousdies visiting. If he''s not kept under strict watch, things could easily go wrong. And if he disappears, the Sinir family will surelye looking for him."