Chapter 609: Pretending to Have a Miscarriage

“Joyce… Joyce, listen to me. This isn’t what you think…” Logan stammered, attempting to appease Joyce.

Joyce glanced at him with her beautiful eyes. “Logan, we’re not close. Who do you call Joyce?” Logan flushed with embarrassment.

More than twenty years ago, Joyce, the princess of Visionary, had captivated Greenland and Imperial, amassing a fervent following. Logan was among her most devoted admirers, considering her a goddess. She, however, remained unmoved.

Witnessing Logan's continued adoration, Molly's face contorted with resentment. Years of using a demon necklace and alluring fragrance to win his affection were about to be undone. A glint of deep jealousy sparked in her eyes as she looked at Joyce's captivating face. An ancient hatred simmered between Visionary and the mermaids. Generations ago, the ancestors of Visionary had subjugated the mermaids, forcing them into darkness and dampness. Visionary then mysteriously vanished. Joyce and her daughter, Olive, possessed an undeniable beauty, starkly contrasting with the mermaids. Such a difference fueled Molly's envy.

Molly stepped forward aggressively. “Queen of Visionary, is this the virtuous daughter you raised? Your daughter used abortifacient to kill the twins in Luana's womb. She is heartless! What do you say to this?”

A chorus of agreement arose. “Queen of Visionary, your princess poisoned Luana’s twins; we all witnessed it. You must explain this!”

Joyce’s gaze fell upon Luana, a fleeting glance before she raised an eyebrow at Logan. “Logan, are you certain the twins in Luana’s womb are yours?”

Logan was taken aback. “Joyce, what do you mean?”

“Oh, it's hardly interesting. I merely observed your complexion. You've been obsessed with women these past few years, your body depleted by your pursuits. You still require medication after each encounter, don't you? Tsk tsk, based on your current state, I doubt you could father twins.” Joyce shook her head, expressing pity.

Her words stunned everyone present. The officials' gazes shifted instantly from Logan's charm to his apparent frailty.

Logan’s extensive harem and penchant for beautiful women were common knowledge, but the extent of his reliance on… medication… was not. The unspoken implication hung heavy in the air – a potent aphrodisiac, perhaps.

Exposed by his goddess, Logan was speechless. “Joyce, I…”

Molly's face darkened. “Queen of Visionary, please be mindful of your words. How dare you criticize the king's private life?”

Joyce glared at Molly. “Logan, is this shrew your beloved? She tricked you into consuming that potion; your vitality was nearly sapped by her.”

All eyes turned to Molly. An uproar erupted.

“My God, Concubine Molly gave the king the potion!” “Molly has enjoyed the king’s favor for years. They say a melodious sound emanated from her during their encounters.” “Concubine Molly… so old, and still acting like a young maiden!” “Princess Clara truly resembles her mother; so… unconventional.” “The mother, daughter, and His Highness Aaron – all foreigners. They're said to be skilled at seduction; despicable creatures. Let's avoid them in the future.”

The accusations and judgmental stares left Molly seething. She had underestimated Joyce's power; her carefully constructed image lay in ruins. Gossip spread like wildfire, and the news of Molly's actions would soon become public knowledge. Clara’s recent scandal was inevitably dragged back into the fray.

“Queen of Visionary, you!” Molly sputtered.

Joyce's eyes narrowed. “Molly, I am speaking with the king. What right do you have to interfere? Step aside!”

Molly was speechless, the insult a blow to her pride. She was clearly intruding on a conversation between the King of Greenland and the Queen of Visionary.

Logan's expression was grim. He may have had his doubts, but he would never question Joyce's medical expertise. Her assessment of his depleted vitality chilled him to the bone.

He shot Molly a stern look, a silent command to address the matter of the aphrodisiac later.

Meanwhile, Luana felt her carefully constructed plan crumble. She had seen how Joyce completely overshadowed Molly, leaving her humiliated and exposed. Now, utterly alone, she felt her blood run cold.

“Oh my lord, my stomach hurts… Help me quickly!” Luana cried out, desperate to regain attention.

Logan, finally remembering Luana's presence, said, “Joyce, let's discuss the twins in Luana's womb. All evidence points to your daughter…”

Before he could finish, Joyce clutched her nose. “The smell is overpowering. Can't you all smell it?”

A collective sniff followed, revealing a pungent odor. “What is this stench? It smells like… chicken blood?”

“Yes, chicken blood. And it seems to be coming from… Concubine Luana.”

“Impossible! Luana is human. Why would a miscarriage smell like chicken blood?”

Suspicion turned towards Luana. She had hidden a blood bag in her clothing, discreetly squeezing it earlier. It was a gift from her servant, Willow, its contents unknown at the time.

Panic seized Luana. Had the bag contained chicken blood?

Joyce pressed her lips together. “Logan, your harem is quite… interesting. A concubine suffers a miscarriage with a distinct chicken-blood odor, yet another, six months pregnant, suffers a supposed miscarriage and remains unscathed. Let me assure you, Luana's miscarriage is a fabrication.”