However, the Spirit Tree cannot speak.
But the feeling only grew stronger.
When Grace let go of it, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.
Raina Zane was still around, so Evan Xiao and the others would likely return.
Grace thought she ought to tell him about it.
It sounded a bit absurd, but she really could sense the message the Spirit Tree was trying to convey...
"Grace Lawrence, you sure know how to hide!" Just as she was lost in thought, Bianca Whiteshire's voice came from behind.
Grace frowned and turned to look.
She was surrounded by four or five Imperial Princesses with similar status.
"Why would you say that, Princess?" Grace asked.
"You don't dare show up at any banquet anymore. Isn't it just because you're hiding from me?" Bianca Whiteshire raised her eyebrows and asked.
"I just have other things to do, Princess. You're overthinking it."
"Hmph!" Bianca sneered and said to the other princesses, "Ladies, can you guess who this woman is?"
"Who is she?" the princesses asked.
"When Crown Prince Evan Xiao visited Eastern Luo in disguise, this woman used every trick in the book to climb into his royal bed!"
"What? Shameless! Absolutely disgraceful!"
"A commoner, daring to seduce the Crown Prince—how vile!"
...
All the princesses were seething with hatred.
Just like Bianca Whiteshire, there were countless Imperial Princesses who wanted to marry Evan Xiao as his side consort.
To them, the Crown Prince Evan Xiao was the most beautiful dream.
Even as dignified princesses, none of them had ever exchanged a word with the Crown Prince—yet she... climbed into his bed!
They instantly wished they could skin Grace alive!
But some were more rational, asking cautiously, "Has the Crown Prince taken her as his consort yet?"
"No!" Bianca snapped. "Who does she think she is? How could she possibly deserve to become the Crown Prince's consort?"
"Do you know what kind of person the Crown Prince is? And he was defiled by a woman like her! Sisters, we really ought to teach her a lesson."
"If you ask me, just throw her off the mountain and burn her to ashes!" another princess said viciously.
Bianca waved her hand and said, "Even if the Crown Prince doesn't want her, she was still his woman once. So let's not kill her—just in case the Crown Prince suddenly remembers her someday and comes after us, none of us could bear the consequences."
"Bianca, so what do you suggest?"
"If you ask me..." Bianca walked up to Grace, scrutinizing her face. "Blind her! Make sure she never sees again—then she won't be able to seduce any more men!"
The other princesses saw how stunning Grace's eyes were—bright, alluring, and utterly captivating. Jealousy flared up, and they all agreed it was a brilliant idea!
Grace stood there and smiled faintly. "Really? Well, I'm no match for you all anyway. If you have the guts, go ahead—make your move!"
Bianca had always dreamed of seeing Grace trembling and begging for mercy at her feet. Seeing Grace so calm and collected made Bianca grit her teeth in frustration.
She stepped up to Grace and, without hesitation, unleashed a fierce blast of Yuan Force straight at Grace's eyes.
Her mouth was slightly open as she attacked.
Grace just smiled, and a streak of green light shot into Bianca's mouth.
"Ah! Ah! What is that?" Bianca shrieked, frantically clawing at her mouth.
Then, to everyone's horror, fuzzy legs started poking out of her nose and mouth, and scales quickly spread across her face...
"Ah! What is happening?!" The princesses were terrified.
Grace just kept smiling and walked toward the other princesses.
...