The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 326

Chapter 326 Half for You

Queen Isabella’s POV:

The carriage fell into a short silence.

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Cindy lowered her head and said nothing. Her eyes shifted, unreadabale. My heart sank. I was afraid she had taken offense at the words I had said earlier; her reputation was ruined.

Lately, Margaret had been spreading ugly rumors about Cindy being “cast out” by James. I had heard the gossip myself. Worse, I had once believed it.

“Cindy! Please get me wrong!”

I grabbed her hand in a panic. “When I mentioned your reputation, I didn’t mean I looked down on you! Before, I was foolish. I listened to idle gossip. But now I know better. You are a good girl. I was only worried about Margaret’s dirty tricks. I was afraid she would smear Raya’s name the same way. I never meant to insult you.”

I stared at her calm but distant profile, afraid she was truly angry.

When had it come to this? Since when did I, a queen and a mother, have to carefully guess my future daughter-in-law’s feelings?

Cindy gently patted the back of my hand and asked quietly, “Isabella, you are thinking too much. I’m not angry.”

I let out a long breath. The heavy weight in my chest finally lifted.

My gaze moved to the box beside us, filled with gold bars and bonds. I made up my mind.

I gritted my teeth and opened three of the cases. They were worth about 100,000 gold coins. Without hesitation, I grabbed a large handful and pushed it into her arms.

“Cindy, I wouldn’t have gotten a single coin back today. looked at her sincerely. “Take half. Consi gift from me. Part of your dowry. And my thanks for standing up for me.”

For someone like me-who valued status and, yes, loved wealth-giving away half felt like cutting piece of my flesh.

But I was willing. Because today, she protected me. She protected the honor of King Ryken’s house. She protected Adam’s dignity.

Yet Cindy simply looked at the gold. Then, she calmly placed it back into the box and closed the lid.

“Isabella, please take it back. I cannot accept this.”

I froze, confused.

She met my eyes. Her voice was steady and sincere. “I already said in the Crystal Palace. Since I accepted Adam’s proposal, we are family now.

“As your daughter-in-law, standing up for you and seeking justice is only right, If I take this money, then what I did today becomes a business deal. It would turn into something hired,

“I act based on right and wrong and on affection. Not for money.”

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15:51 Fri, Mar 6 A MO

Chapter 326 Half for You

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Finished

The yellow glow of the streetlights slipped through the carriage window, casting light across her face and outlining her cool but firm expression.

In that moment, a memory flashed through my mind. Inside the cold hall of the Crystal Palace, Margaret had ordered the fireplace put out. The air had been freezing. Without hesitation, Cindy had removed her bear-fur cloak and wrapped it tightly around me, using her body heat to warm me.

That warmth, and her firm refusal now, felt like two key turning at once-unlocking the softest place in my heart.

“Cindy…

My eyes turned red again. I’squeezed her hand tightly, my voice trembling. “I’m different than those ungrateful people. I’m truly not.”

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