Chapter 643: Her Tricks

The Gold City Palace buzzed with activity tonight; the chef was already preparing dinner. Liam went backstage, where Trixie emerged. She had remained there since the Arthurs' return to the Royal Palace.

Trixie looked at Liam and asked, “King of Gold City, do you like the Princess of Visionary?”

Liam replied, “Why do you ask?”

“I’ve dealt with the Princess of Visionary,” Trixie explained. “She possesses a pure heart, yet is exceptionally skilled in intrigue. She’s as intelligent as any man, and beautiful besides. I fear no man could resist her.”

Liam clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the full moon. “That’s precisely why the Princess of Visionary is dangerous. We shouldn’t involve ourselves.”

Trixie observed Liam, a man whose power overshadowed all of Greenland. He’d only mentioned the Princess's danger, not his feelings for her. Since her arrival, she had confronted Liam several times, and he clearly appreciated her, though he remained reticent.

Trixie changed the subject. “King of Gold City, we’ve been searching for the true owner of the chosen child’s blood, but our last lead was broken. Do you wish to continue waiting?”

A sharp glint shone in Liam’s dark eyes as he curled his lips. “The old palace maid’s story was peculiar. It was fabricated.”

“By whom?”

Liam slowly uttered a name, “The Princess of Visionary.”

Trixie looked surprised. “Why would she interfere in the old lady’s affairs?”

“I suspect the Princess of Visionary used the chosen child’s blood to manipulate Greenland’s affairs,” Liam said. “I believe she knew the whereabouts of our true king, and that he was at her side.” Although allied with Olive, Liam remained wary. The origins of Greenland and Visionary remained intertwined and confusing.

“King of Gold City, if that’s true, what are your plans? Is tonight’s party a trap? Did you come to challenge the Princess of Visionary?”

Liam nodded. “Precisely.”

Trixie asked no further questions. Liam had a plan involving the Princess; she could only wait and see.

Then, a delicate voice echoed, “King of Gold City, you’re here.” Clara arrived with Olive.

Liam stepped forward. “Princess of Visionary, were you looking for me?”

“Yes, but it’s inconsequential,” Clara replied. “My daughter’s lost her voice. King of Gold City, do you have a remedy?”

Chapter 13: Her Tricks

Liam’s gaze fell on Olive. “You can’t speak?”

Olive nodded, her bright eyes meeting his.

“Yes, I have a medicinal pill in my study to treat voice loss. Let me show you,” Liam said.

Before Olive could respond, Clara nodded hastily. “Thank you, King of Gold City. Little girl, come with the King.”

Olive’s bright eyes flashed a sharp, cold glint as she looked at Clara. Clara’s urgency to separate Olive and Liam seemed unusual; she was clearly up to something.

Liam said, “Miss Sadie, follow me.”

Olive had no choice but to comply. As soon as they left, Clara pursed her lips and returned to the living room. A maidservant prepared two cups of tea, intending to take them to the study. Clara stopped her.

“Is this tea for the King of Gold City?”

The maidservant nodded. “Yes, Princess of Visionary.”

“Leave it to me,” Clara said. “I’ll take it upstairs.”

The maidservant acquiesced and left. Clara moved to a secluded corner, cautiously surveying her surroundings before taking out a packet of medicinal powder. She opened a teacup and poured the powder inside. This was a charm potion from her mermaid tribe, intended for Liam. Seeing Liam’s indifference towards Olive, she decided to play matchmaker, hoping to spark a relationship between them. Once they were intimate, she planned to see if Elvis still desired Olive.

Feeling clever, Clara took the tea upstairs. In the study, Liam handed Olive a pill. “Miss Sadie, this will restore your voice.”

Olive gratefully accepted the pill. Liam found himself studying Olive; she was different from the Sadie he remembered, possessing a sharper intellect.

Suddenly, Trixie entered. Liam stepped forward, and she whispered, “The Princess of Visionary just put powder in your tea.”

Liam’s lips tightened. Olive couldn’t hear their conversation, but sensed it concerned Clara. She knew Clara wouldn’t be foolish enough to act so brazenly in the Gold City Palace. Liam’s power and influence made such actions suicidal.

The door opened, and Clara entered proudly, bearing two cups of tea. “King of Gold City, please have tea.” Trixie quickly left.

Liam calmly looked at Clara, then at the teacups.

“Thank you, Princess of Visionary.”

Liam and Clara sat, picking up their cups simultaneously. Clara watched Liam, remembering the doctored cup. She waited for Liam to drink the potion, anticipating the ensuing events: Liam becoming intoxicated, then bedding Olive. She’d record this, send the videos to Elvis, or release them online to destroy Olive. Clara felt her plan was brilliant. How clever she was.