Chapter 5

In her past life, the name Eileen Rhodes was given to her by Glen Rhodes himself. For a long time, Eileen Rhodes cherished this name very much.

As for this lifetime, such good fortune surely cannot happen again.

Una Rhodes smirked slightly, interrupting her father at the appropriate moment while he was struggling to think of a name.

“Les Jody told me yesterday that she envies my skill at playing the piano. I had planned to invite a pianist to teach her if I had the chance. Since she loves the piano, why not name the school after it?”

After thinking it over, Glen Rhodes thought it was a good idea, so he simply decided to go with it and named her Eileen Rhodes.

For a long time after learning her new name, Les Jody was unhappy.

She came back with Glen Rhodes, but it was her older sister who decided on her name. Glen Rhodes didn’t even ask for her opinion.

Eileen Rhodes’ share of the household expenses was determined according to the standards of ordinary officials’ families. While it wasn’t as luxurious as Una Rhodes’ lifestyle, it was still much better than living in the countryside.

It could even be said that Una Rhodes wasn’t deliberately seeking revenge. Instead, she simply acted in accordance with the rules, leaving nothing to be criticized.

The next day, Mr. Wells went to Rhodes Castle and learned that the general had returned. Before starting classes, he visited Glen Rhodes, leaving Una Rhodes alone in the study to study.

Hearing that Mr. Wells had come to visit, Glen Rhodes welcomed him into the hall and treated him with great courtesy.

“General Rhodes, please forgive me for speaking frankly,” said Mr. Wells, bowing to General Rhodes. “The young lady is simply not suited to studying.”

“Sir, what do you mean by this?”

These words completely panicked Glen Rhodes. Could it be that his daughter’s abilities were so poor that even the master couldn’t teach her?

“The young lady isn’t unintelligent, but she started too late. Even with rigorous training, it’ll be difficult for her to achieve much.”

Mr. Wells didn’t merely teach lessons. He also observed Una Rhodes carefully. Her temperament clearly made her unsuitable for certain roles. Her charming demeanor and delicate appearance were more suited to being cherished as a cherished wife in the home, like a delicate peony rather than a resilient plum blossom.

The inner chambers of the palace are the path Una Rhodes should take.

If Una Rhodes were to know about this, she’d surely be both amused and exasperated. Having spent so many years in the harem, the palace rules had long become second nature to her—they weren’t something that could be changed so easily.

“It’s all right, sir. It’s sufficient if you do your best in teaching her.” Glen Roddes sighed in relief. After all, Roddes Castle didn’t expect Una Roddes to achieve anything great. As long as she was happy and safe, it was enough. The rest could be left to Una Roddes to handle as she saw fit.

After the morning prayers, Una Rhodes finally felt relieved. Her personality was completely opposite to Mr. Wells’, so it took some time for them to get along. Over the past few days, she had managed to understand Mr. Wells’s temperament better.

Mr. Wells didn’t like people who were acting cute or trying to be deceitful. Instead, he preferred those who were hardworking and honest—qualities that truly appealed to her.

……

Three months later, on the martial arts training ground, two figures—one black and one white—were fighting each other.

With each sharp swing of his sword, Glen Rhodes was trying to figure out where Una Rhodes’s limits lay.

Glenn Rhodes taught Una Rhodes the basic swordsmanship of the Rhodes family just once. He then asked her to practice and understand it through actual combat. Unexpectedly, Una Rhodes gave her father a huge surprise. Her reaction was completely different from that of ordinary people; her ability to perceive danger was almost three times that of a normal person.

Realizing Una Rhodes’s exceptional talent, Glen Rhodes took the time to teach her carefully. Meanwhile, the wars in the northwest had ended, so Glen Rhodes wouldn’t have to go to battle for a while.

He deliberately slowed down his movements. What had been a forceful approach turned into a subtle form of guidance.

After battling for half an hour, the match ended when Una Rhodes collapsed from exhaustion.

After leaving the training ground, Una Rhodes wiped her sweat with a handkerchief. Monroe quickly brought her tea.

She thought that exposure to wind and sun would surely make her skin rough. But Una Rhodes wasn’t expecting that sweating and detoxification on a daily basis would actually eliminate even the occasional acne. Her skin became not only more delicate, but her complexion also didn’t darken at all.

“Sister, did you go to the training ground again today?” Eirwen Rhodes stepped forward, treating Una Rhodes with great kindness.

“Mm.” She replied indifferently. But Una Rhodes noticed that the maid standing beside her mother was walking toward them quickly.

“Miss, something bad has happened,” the maid whispered to Una Rhodes, stepping closer to her. “The Third Prince has arrived, and he doesn’t look very well.”

What’s he here for?

Three months later, Una Rhodes had completely forgotten about her defiance in refusing to marry. She put away the sword in her hand and walked toward the hall.

Marilyn quickly followed behind and whispered to Una Rhodes, “Madam, the king is worried that the third prince might be dissatisfied with the annulment of the marriage. That’s why he sent the prince to the National Temple to pray for three months. Now, the prince should be returning to demand an explanation.”

When Una Rhodes entered the main hall, Robert Johnson was dissatisfied with the tea. The gold-inlaid celadon teacup brought from Jingdezhen was knocked to the ground right beside Una Rhodes’s feet. The tea spilled and stained her silver boots with intricate patterns.

“The Third Prince has a really bad temper,” Una Rhodes said, expressionless, as she stepped over the teacup.

Eileen Rhodes, who was following behind, looked up just in time to meet Robert Johnson’s gaze. Feeling uncomfortable, she quickly lowered her head. She thought to herself that the young man was handsome, but didn’t dare speak. She stood quietly in the corner.

This is a prince!

In front of his elders, Robert Johnson tried to behave properly. But he was naturally hot-tempered, so even when he tried to keep his anger in check, his tone wasn’t much better.

“Why do you refuse the marriage?” Robert Johnson was clearly extremely angry. With Una Rhodes pulling out of the marriage, he not only lost the support of the Rhodes family but also suffered a loss of face.

The royal marriage proposal was rejected, and he was banished from court to reflect on his actions. As the prince, Robert Johnson couldn’t afford such humiliation, which also damaged his reputation among the courtiers.

“I am the eldest daughter of the Rhodes family. My parents have only me as their child. Of course, I must inherit the family business, marry, and have children. How could I possibly consider marrying someone else?” Una Rhodes spoke with firm conviction. To Robert Johnson, she showed not the slightest willingness to compromise.

“Una, didn’t you once want to marry me and become my queen?” Suppressing his anger, Robert Johnson used his usual flattery. “We made love under the moonlight and exchanged vows of eternal love. How can you now betray me?”

Lady Rhodes looked quite displeased. Una Rhodes used to be a proper lady from a respectable family, yet she engaged in improper relationships with men in secret. Her behavior was truly unacceptable.

“Third Prince, don’t speak carelessly. I’ve only met you twice at court banquets. Where are these vows made under the moonlight? And as for betraying you… That’s completely unfounded. As for my promise to marry you, it was merely a child’s joke. How could it be taken seriously?” Una Rhodes replied calmly and methodically.

It seems Robert Johnson was too confident, thinking that Una Rhodes could be easily deceived. The fact that the two never met in private only serves to show how gullible Una Rhodes was in her past life. Unfortunately, times have changed. Today, Una Rhodes is nothing short of a shrewd and cunning individual.

“You!” Robert Johnson was furious. When had Una Rhodes ever been so sharp-tongued?

Una Rhodes stepped forward and whispered in Robert Johnson’s ear, “I will only marry a husband. If you truly love me, give up your throne and marry into the Rhodes family. My mother is the crown princess, and my father is the Great General Guide. You’ll never lack for anything in terms of food and clothing.”

Patting Robert Johnson on the shoulder, Una Rhodes raised her phoenix-like eyes, her gaze filled with malicious questioning.

“Do you dare?”

Robert Johnson didn’t dare. He left Rhodes Castle in a dejected state.