Chapter 1067 Humiliated
“I certainly couldn’t tell that you’re actually a mother, Ms. Nichols! One with five children, to boot! It’s a pity these children have nothing to do with the royal family. Otherwise, they’d be an additional blessing to our household!” Shirley added insincerely.
The two women’s remarks caused Frieda’s face to tense up. She couldn’t even force a smile at this point.
“Well, since Ms. Nichols has made herself clear that this is all a misunderstanding, we may as well go along with my prior suggestion,” she responded while shooting Natalie a glare.
Mikhail appeared solemn. No one knew what he was thinking.
“Bastien, I hope you’ll learn not to make such rash decisions from now on,” he remarked before getting up from his seat and leaving.
As Cynthia and Shirley followed him hastily, Frieda did so too, worried that the other two women might spread rumors about her to their husband.
Bastien clenched his fists, his initially gentle gaze now having turned slightly gloomy.
“When did you get married?” he asked, staring straight into Natalie’s eyes. “Who’s your husband? Why did you keep your information encrypted?”
“I keep my details as secure as possible to prevent my enemies from knowing me better,” the woman answered frigidly. “I used to treat you as a friend and would’ve never chosen to hide my information from you if you hadn’t decided all these things for me or if you had readily disclosed your identity. Maybe I would’ve even gladly shared as long as you asked. But I guess there’s no point talking about all this anymore. Happy birthday, Prince Jonathan. I’m tired, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Natalie bowed respectfully before walking away.
Reluctance and dejection filled Bastien’s eyes as he gazed at the woman’s departing silhouette.
He had thought tonight was the night to give Natalie the most romantic surprise by sharing a dance, and even if his parents had their qualms, everyone would have no choice but to accept his marriage to her as long as he remained adamant.
And yet, never had he expected this woman to already be married with children.
Accepting a commoner into the palace was the most leeway this royal household would allow, but if the woman in question had already been married previously, she would never be approved of.
Bastien held his wine glass so tightly that it broke, causing the shards to dig into his palm.
Joseph hurried over upon seeing the blood trickle out of the former’s hand. “Mr. Nine! Are you—”
“I’m fine,” the latter replied nonchalantly, although there seemed to be an unprecedented storm brewing in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Helma was now getting some air outside Luna Palace as tears rolled down her face uncontrollably.
“Helma…” Heidi felt a pang of sadness in her own heart at the sight of her sister crying, and she couldn’t resist patting the latter’s shoulder in sympathy. “Don’t be sad. Everything that happened tonight isn’t your fault.”
“I feel so humiliated,” Helma choked out. “I’ve loved Bastien for so many years. Both Father and Lady Frieda told me that I’d become his wife. I thought… I thought I’d finally get to be engaged to him, but it looks like my feelings were one-sided all along. I’m not the one he loves. He would rather marry a commoner instead of me.”
Tonight’s banquet was merely the start of the humiliation she would face.
It wouldn’t be long before word about Bastien rejecting her made waves across upper-class society. Who would ever want to marry her now?
Regardless of her family’s status, people would clearly remember what had happened. Some might even use this incident as leverage against the Leitz household.
“It’s all Natalie’s fault!” Heidi exclaimed in fury. “Have you forgotten, Helma? That woman is a minx! Remember how she kept Father’s eyes glued to her? Now, she just stole your man! And to think she’s going around seducing every guy she can even though she’s clearly married? She really is the most shameless woman in the world!”
