Forensic Imperial Concubine

"I can't believe that there's actually a man who would allow a woman to sit on his shoulders," Diana mumbled, giving a snort of
contempt. As far as she was concerned, men who would do such a thing were spineless cowards. Otherwise, they wouldn't allow
women to ride on their shoulders and be above them.
Francis didn't say a word, because the vibrant smile on Harper's face dazzled him. Even though her face had changed and she
didn't look familiar to him, he still recognized her the moment he saw her. When she was with him, she had never smiled so
happily that way in front of him. Was it true that he just wasn't as good as Matthew in her eyes? He could do all the things
Matthew could do for her, and he was sure that he could give her things which even Matthew couldn't. Knowing that, why wasn't
she willing to give him a chance?
On the altar, the Holy Maiden's dance was still going on, and the people were so engrossed in it. King Lance had a rather
solemn look on his face, but his eyes were filled with paternal love when they fell on the Holy Maiden. Seeing this, Diana snorted
coldly and spoke to Francis in a low voice. "Do you think Matthew is going to sabotage the ceremony?"
"No, he won't," Francis curtly replied. Truth be told, even though Francis knew that Matthew could be very aggressive, he
wouldn't just take the initiative to attack anyone if they didn't do him wrong first. As for Harper, he somewhat felt that she and
Matthew were alike in this regard.
"You know, Matthew would do everything as he pleases. I'm afraid that he may do something to disrupt this important ceremony,"
Diana slowly said. As a matter of fact, this was what she was expecting. If Matthew was here to disrupt the ceremony, then she
would have the perfect excuse to attack Harper.
Francis didn't humor her with a response this time. The way he saw it, Matthew was not a fool; he must be aware that the
Worship Ceremony was of great importance in the South Kingdom, so disrupting a big event like this was tantamount to turning
all the people in the kingdom into his enemies. Although he might not be afraid of a bunch of ants, he would have to admit that
ants could bite an elephant to the bone. It was true that he might do whatever he pleased if he were by himself. However, with
Harper coming along with him, he would never take the risk of putting her life in danger. So, he would never do anything that
might ruin the ceremony.
"Diana, behave yourself!" Lance couldn't take it anymore and finally snapped. The Worship Ceremony was utterly important in
their kingdom! As his daughter, Diana didn't seem to care that much about it. Didn't she know that it could anger the people?
Moreover, the Holy Maiden was still praying on the altar. So, this was truly not the time for chatting and gossiping.

Diana quickly straightened her body and focused her attention back to the Holy Maiden on the altar, albeit reluctantly. At this
point, she suddenly hoped, rather irritably and sinisterly, that the Holy Maiden would sprain her ankle, fall, and interrupt the
dancing. That way, she would be criticized by everyone.
However, things didn't go as she hoped. The Holy Maiden performed the whole dance solemnly and quite beautifully, and she
went on to finish the praying ceremony without making a single mistake. All things had been done meticulously, leaving no
problems to be found.
"All right, all right. Thank you, Holy Maiden," said the king, in a voice filled with paternal love. "You must be tired; you may take a
rest now."
The Holy Maiden nodded a curtsy and took her leave gracefully. Lance also returned to the royal palace. As for Francis, when
the ceremony was concluded, his eyes fell on Becky, who was standing in the crowd. He nodded at her, and she politely nodded
right back. After that, the two of them left the spot.
Seeing this, Diana ran toward Francis and said, "That woman..."
"She's the chief guard of the Secret Pavilion of the Bright Dynasty, and is now by Matthew's side. She may prove to be useful,"
Francis answered in a steady and refined voice, as though he didn't take the matter seriously whatsoever.
When Diana heard that, a peculiar smile appeared on her face. "I think that she seems to have feelings for you."
"Diana, what you do mean feelings?" Francis asked, squinting at Diana.
Upon the question, Diana's face darkened. Francis had promised to marry her; however, he had never stayed in her room at all.
They were legal husband and wife, but still had yet to consummate. The only thing Francis needed was the title—husband of the
princess of the South Kingdom, and Diana just happened to be someone he could use, so their union wasn't really about love.
"Francis, I wonder... Other than Harper, who else could attract your attention?" Diana knew deep inside that Francis liked Harper.
Back then, when she went to assassinate that woman, this man tried to save her at all cost, even if it meant putting his life on the
line. If it weren't for him risking his life to save her, Diana bet Harper would have been seriously injured even if she didn't die.
Francis didn't utter a single word, and there wasn't even any expression on his face. In his opinion, the word "love" was
extremely hurtful. Back then, he was willing to do anything for Harper. But even after everything he had done, including
sacrificing himself, Harper still didn't appreciate it.

"If she is ruthless, then I see no need for me to love her and wait for her," Francis suddenly murmured. "I'm afraid I've never
received so much as the slightest amount of affection from her. She's a very cruel woman."
Diana didn't offer her opinion, but she, in fact, had a deep impression of Harper. The latter wouldn't have become Matthew's wife
and held this high position if she wasn't ruthless enough. Not only was she cruel to her enemies and herself, but to her father,
brothers and sisters as well. It was quite challenging for Diana to compete with this woman, yet she still thought that as a
woman, Harper was indeed formidable.