Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Sometimes, Vivian had to admit she couldn’t figure out what Celia was thinking.

Silver coins and Beggar’s Lane.

Two things that seemed completely unrelated, yet Celia had somehow managed to connect them.

In the freezing cold of winter, it looked downright strange.

[Celia Snyder’s Fortune Points: 66]

The System’s notification popped up in Vivian’s mind, but she wasn’t surprised..

55 vouchers

Originally, if things had gone as planned, Celia would have used that priceless Emerald Orchid to make Mark beam with pride and Beatrice deeply appreciative.

But Vivian had ruined Celia’s chance, blocked her way up the ladder, so it was only natural for her Fortune Points to drop.

The System said, “Host, Beggar’s Lane is full of people who are either crippled, simple–minded, or so poor they can barely clothe or feed themselves. For Celia to go to such lengths to collect so many silver coins, that’s honestly pretty strange.”

Even though the System sounded perfectly calm, Vivian could still pick up on its underlying doubt.

She felt the same way.

Celia had Matthew and maybe a few other guards with her. It wasn’t as reckless as a kid walking through a crowded street with a bag of gold, but it was still bound to draw attention.

Vivian thought, ‘What’s her game here?

“Wait, like a kid walking around with gold…‘

Her pupils contracted, and a ridiculous idea popped into her head.

Vivian thought, ‘Is Celia actually planning to toss silver coins into the snow and let these desperate, struggling people fight over them?

‘No, that can’t be it.

Vivian pressed a trembling hand to her chest, her complexion ghostly pale.

Seeing this, Judith grew worried and asked, “Lady Vivian, are you alright? If you’re not feeling well, maybe you should go home and rest. I’ll keep watch on Beggar’s Lane myself.”

Vivian shook her head.

To avoid being spotted by Celia and Matt, she deliberately instructed the coachman to slow down, ignoring the biting wind as she cracked open the window.

Outside, the beggars‘ voices rang out, so excited they were almost shrill.

Someone shouted, “There’s a saintly lady up ahead handing out money! She’s being incredibly generous!”

One said, “I heard about it, too. They’re all silver coins. If I can get my hands on a few, I won’t have to freeze and starve this winter.”

Another said, “Who knows which noble lady would come all the way to Beggar’s Lane to do such a good deed?”

12:02 Wed, Jan 14 M

Chapter 77

55 vouchers

One said, “There’s à little beggar in the old temple burning up with fever. If I can snag a silver coin, I can get him some medicine.”

Vivian clenched her fists against the hem of her dress, knuckles bleaching white as cold sweat traced her spine.

The wind cut through her, making the cold feel even more bone–chilling.

Even in her wildest dreams, Vivian never thought Celia could be this out of her mind.

Vivian squeezed her eyes shut, then turned to Judith. She said, “Head to the Hunting Palace right now and ask Prince Enoch to send some guards over here, quick.

“No, wait. The Hunting Palace is way too far. There’s no time for that. Go to the Fletcher residence instead and ask Mrs. Fletcher for help.”

Judith had no idea why Vivian was so on edge, but she’d never disobey Vivian’s instructions. She nodded and dashed off.

Vivian sat in the carriage, gaze locked on Celia only yards away–shoulders mantled in a heavy velvet cloak, its high collar framing her as some winter goddess descended upon the gravel drive.

Matthew was right beside her, holding up an umbrella to shield her from the snowflakes blown by the wind.

It only made Celia seem even more regal and otherworldly.

Right now, Celia was frowning, her eyes clouded with worry. She said, “Matt, they’re really suffering. Their clothes are so thin, they can’t even keep out the cold.”

Matthew replied, “There are just too many beggars here, and with winter this harsh, there’s no way to do any kind of work relief. Even the authorities can’t do much. It’s honestly heartbreaking.”

As he spoke, he reached out and mussed Celia’s hair. He thought, ‘Celia’s so kind, so pure–always worrying about the people here. That cold–hearted witch Vivian isn’t fit to breathe the same air.

Celia cradled the heavy pouch in both hands and sighed. She said, “I just wonder if there are enough silver coins to go around.”

“However many they manage to grab, that’s their luck. It’s just fate, so don’t worry about it,” Matthew reassured her.

Celia nodded obediently, but inside she wondered whether this act of kindness would be enough to impress Harriet, who was always so unpredictable.

If it weren’t for that Veronia Grand Map, she wouldn’t be caught dead in Beggar’s Lane on a freezing winter day.

Celia pulled her cloak tighter around herself. Her maid, Rayna, handed her a brass muff warmer. She said, “My lady, don’t let yourself catch a chill.”

Celia shook her head and said, “These folks are out here in nothing but rags, fighting just to get by, and here I am bundled up in thick clothes. How could I act so spoiled?”

Matthew sighed and said, “Celia, you’re just too soft–hearted. The people in Beggar’s Lane really do have it rough, but their suffering isn’t your burden.”

Celia said, “Matt, you and I were born with silver spoons in our mouths. We’ve never known hunger or cold and never felt the pain of being torn from our family.

“But they’re different. Their bones lie forgotten by the river, while their loved ones still dream of them back home.”

Matthew took a tissue and carefully, tenderly wiped the tears from Celia’s face.

12:02 Wed, Jan 14 DM

Chapter 77

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The siblings remained inside the carriage the whole time, the Snyder family’s insignia standing out clearly against the snowy backdrop.

“That young lady is so beautiful, and she’s riding in a carriage from Aurea Manor. Could that be Lady Celia herself?” a young man with a limp wondered aloud.

Another beggar said, “Most likely. I heard Lady Celia is renowned for her devotion to her family. She even gave her own blood, twice, to save her mother.

“She’s the role model for all the noble ladies in Aurestus. Only someone as pure and flawless as her would bother showing kindness to folks like us at the bottom of the ladder.”

“With looks like that and a heart of gold, who’s gonna be the lucky guy to win her heart?” someone else joked.

Hearing the talk around her, Celia maintained a composed expression, but inside, she was quietly proud of herself.

Ever since she first gave her own blood as a remedy for Flora, her reputation for pure filial devotion had spread like wildfire throughout Aurestus.

At that time, she was still just a sheltered, naive girl. Even as the heiress of the Snyder family, her world was small, and her thoughts were simple.

So when she learned that the Queen Mother had nothing but praise for her, Celia was so thrilled she trembled all over.

It was her first taste of fame and recognition, and she was completely swept away, unable to pull herself back.

So as she grew older, every time Celia made a move, her reputation was always front and center in her mind.

Only if it served her own interests would she actually take action.

Coming to Beggar’s Lane to hand out charity today? To Celia, it was a worthwhile choice.

She made no effort to hide her identity. The insignia on the carriage was more than enough for the beggars to figure out she was from the Snyder family.

Celia thought, ‘As for the most beautiful and kind–hearted girl from the Snyder family, who else could it possibly be but me?

‘Vivian is hideous and cruel. Nina is as dumb as a rock; she is completely useless and can’t even compare to a single strand of my hair.

Celia licked her parched lips, her mind already spinning with visions of how things could play out in her favor.

She thought, ‘If word of my generosity spreads, not only will Harriet be drawn to me and seek my friendship, but even the king and Queen Mother in the royal palace might start to see me in a new light.’

After all, Beggar’s Lane was a product of war, and the king had long sought a solution to this problem.

But with so many beggars, thousands crippled or mentally broken, building a relief shelter just for them would require enormous resources, more than even the authorities could bear.

Beggar’s Lane had become a constant source of worry for the king.

Celia thought, ‘If I could help the king get this off his mind, that would be a major win for me.

‘Not only will I get official recognition, just like Vivian did, but I could also shake off the bad luck from that Wheel of Fate spin during the Festival of Fortune.

12:03 Wed, Jan 14 M.

Chapter 76

55 vouchers

“Keep a close watch on Wisteria Attic. If anything comes up, let me know right away,” Vivian told her. Judith nodded quickly.

Two days later, Celia finally gathered enough silver melon seeds and left the manor in a carriage with Matthew. As soon as they left, Vivian and Judith followed right after them.

There’d been a light dusting of snow that morning. Nothing much, but the wind was sharp as a blade, rattling the carriage door with every gust.

Even with the hot water bottle in her hands, Vivian could still feel the chill seeping into her bones.

She cracked the window just enough to watch the cityscape blur past. What started out bustling and wealthy slowly faded into bleak, deserted streets, until all she saw were crumbling buildings and decay.

Why are we getting so close to Beggar’s Lane?‘ Vivian wondered. Even in the heart of Aurestus, Beggar’s Lane existed because of the chaos brought by war.

Invaders weren’t any good at farming, but they were deadly with a bow and on horseback, always looking to raid Veronia for food and supplies. But the king was stubborn. He’d never even consider a truce,

The war dragged on for years. Families were torn apart, some left injured or disabled, and others driven mad, forgetting their pasts.

All these outcasts ended up in Beggar’s Lane. The authorities couldn’t just wipe the place out, so they’d send people to hand out soup and medicine every now and then, just to keep things from spiraling out of control.

This place was a world apart from the bustling, lively east side of the city. It was hell on earth. Everyone did their best to steer clear of it.

In her previous life, Vivian had only been to Beggar’s Lane once, and that was because her fiancé Charles had taken her there.

Charles threatened her, saying that if she didn’t behave, he’d leave her behind to become the most miserable beggar in Beggar’s Lane. That was why Beggar’s Lane was seared into her memory.

‘Beggar’s Lane was pure chaos. What could possibly bring Celia to a place like this?‘ she wondered.

12:03 Wed, Jan 14 M

Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Sometimes, Vivian had to admit she couldn’t figure out what Celia was thinking.

Silver coins and Beggar’s Lane.

Two things that seemed completely unrelated, yet Celia had somehow managed to connect them.

In the freezing cold of winter, it looked downright strange.

[Celia Snyder’s Fortune Points: 66]

The System’s notification popped up in Vivian’s mind, but she wasn’t surprised.

55 vouchers

Originally, if things had gone as planned, Celia would have used that priceless Emerald Orchid to make Mark beam with pride and Beatrice deeply appreciative.

But Vivian had ruined Celia’s chance, blocked her way up the ladder, so it was only natural for her Fortune Points to drop.

The System said. “Host, Beggar’s Lane is full of people who are either crippled, simple–minded, or so poor they can barely clothe or feed themselves. For Celia to go to such lengths to collect so many silver coins, that’s honestly pretty strange.”

Even though the System sounded perfectly calm, Vivian could still pick up on its underlying doubt.

She felt the same way.

Celia had Matthew and maybe a few other guards with her. It wasn’t as reckless as a kid walking through a crowded street with a bag of gold, but it was still bound to draw attention.

Vivian thought, ‘What’s her game here?

“Wait, like a kid walking around with gold…

Her pupils contracted, and a ridiculous idea popped into her head.

Vivian thought, ‘Is Celia actually planning to toss silver coins into the snow and let these desperate, struggling people fight over them?

‘No, that can’t be it.‘

Vivian pressed a trembling hand to her chest, her complexion ghostly pale.

Seeing this, Judith grew worried and asked, “Lady Vivian, are you alright? If you’re not feeling well, maybe you should go home and rest. I’ll keep watch on Beggar’s Lane myself.”

Vivian shook her head.

To avoid being spotted by Celia and Matt, she deliberately instructed the coachman to slow down, ignoring the biting wind as she cracked open the window.

Outside, the beggars‘ voices rang out, so excited they were almost shrill.

Someone shouted, “There’s a saintly lady up ahead handing out money! She’s being incredibly generous!”

One said, “I heard about it, too. They’re all silver coins. If I can get my hands on a few, I won’t have to freeze and starve this

winter.”

Another said, “Who knows which noble lady would come all the way to Beggar’s Lane to do such a good deed?”

12:03 Wed, Jan 14 DM

Chapter 77

55 vouchers

One said, “There’s a little beggar in the old temple burning up with fever. If I can snag a silver coin, I can get him some medicine.”

Vivian clenched her fists against the hem of her dress, knuckles bleaching white as cold sweat traced her spine.

The wind cut through her, making the cold feel even more bone–chilling.

Even in her wildest dreams, Vivian never thought Celia could be this out of her mind.

Vivian squeezed her eyes shut, then turned to Judith. She said, “Head to the Hunting Palace right now and ask Prince Enoch to send some guards over here, quick.

“No, wait. The Hunting Palace is way too far. There’s no time for that. Go to the Fletcher residence instead and ask Mrs. Fletcher for help.”

Judith had no idea why Vivian was so on edge, but she’d never disobey Vivian’s instructions. She nodded and dashed off.