Stunningly beautiful yet wicked, she begins by conquering eight beast husbands.

Chapter 97 I didn't expect her to actually do that; she was just a commoner.

"they?"

Catherine frowned, her voice trailing off with displeasure.

She seemed to realize something, but didn't say anything, her gaze fixed on Scarlett, sharper than before.

Their eyes met.

Scarlett felt a tightness in her chest.

If Catherine's gaze before was a sharp sword piercing her soul, now it has become a towering mountain pressing down on her, making it hard for her to breathe.

She finds it difficult to even straighten her back.

But some things must be said in one go, otherwise you won't have the courage to say them later.

Scarlett raised her eyes with composure.

An invisible mountain pressed down on her body, but it could not suppress her indomitable spirit.

"Your Majesty, I have been reviewing the research institute's documents recently and have discovered a very coincidental thing: all the former employees of the institute are commoners from underground communities. The projects they researched were quickly taken over by others after they left and were completed very quickly."

"It's already difficult for commoners to enter the capital. Only one person in a city can stand out and enter the capital, so why would they easily resign?"

"Your Majesty, I suspect that someone is abusing their power in the research institute, stealing their achievements, and threatening their lives!"

"Your Majesty, please grant me permission to conduct an investigation at the research institute!"

silence.

Dead silence.

The hall was empty, and no one spoke.

Sunlight streamed obliquely through the windows into the hall, creating a blinding white expanse that made one feel disoriented. The sunlight felt cold on the skin, making one think that winter had arrived early and frost covered the hall.

Scarlett remained kneeling until her knees went numb, her bones ached, and her fatigue gradually worsened, her vision becoming blurry.

Finally, Catherine spoke.

"Go back."

Catherine's voice was full of exhaustion.

She didn't look at Scarlett, picked up her pen again, grabbed the documents beside her, and continued to review them. "Scarlett, starting today, you will be confined to your room to reflect on your actions. You are not allowed to leave Herda Palace before the resource competition begins."

"Your Majesty!" Scarlett crawled forward on her knees, pleading again.

"Get out of here!" Catherine shouted angrily, cutting her off sharply. "Go back to your Herda Palace and think about what you did wrong!"

“Your subject has done nothing wrong!” Scarlett refused to back down and tried to argue further.

Catherine's eyes were like knives as she glared at Scarlett, slamming her pen down and shouting, "Get out!"

"Mother Queen!"

"His Majesty."

Katrina had been standing outside the palace. Hearing the argument between the mother and daughter escalating, she stepped in to break the tense atmosphere.

She walked over to Catherine, put down the documents in her hand, and said, "Your Majesty, these are documents that the Cabinet just sent over, and they require your urgent attention."

Catherine looked at her, her eyebrows twitching slightly, her gaze drifting towards Scarlett out of the corner of her eye.

Katrina understood, and with a smile walked towards Scarlett, taking her arm to help her up. "Your Highness, your timing is unfortunate. The Cabinet and the Privy Council each have documents to present, concerning the people's livelihood, and we cannot delay."

"Your Highness, please go back and rest early. His Majesty will summon you after he has finished dealing with state affairs, so please do not rush."

Scarlett opened her lips.

Katrina pressed down on the back of her hand, gently shook her head, and gave her a look that advised her not to say anything more.

After the sudden pause, Scarlett calmed down. She knew that Catherine was angry and that continuing the conversation would be pointless.

After a few seconds of silence, he stood up with Katrina's help.

"My son, please retire."

After she finished speaking, she walked out of the hall, reached the door, and looked at the midday sky.

The sky was blue, with wispy white clouds. The sun hung high in the sky, its rays falling like golden gauze, enveloping the earth in a warm yet gentle light.

Scarlett stopped.

It stopped at the entrance.

I stood there for a few seconds.

She turned abruptly and returned to the hall with a resolute air. She took out her pen case and presented it to Catherine, her voice clear and resonant, each word echoing throughout the hall, "Your Majesty, you once said you would bestow upon me the title of Duke of Melios. Does that promise still stand?"

Catherine narrowed her eyes. "What are you going to do?"

Scarlett declared firmly, "Your subject will no longer be the Duke of Melios! Your subject will investigate the research institute!"

Hear the words.

A look of surprise flashed across Katrina's eyes. She shifted her body, as if to try to persuade her again.

But then Catherine raised her hand, signaling her to step back and ignore her.

Katrina had no choice but to stand still.

Catherine looked at Scarlett coldly. "Scarlett, do you know that this right was granted to you by me, and I can take it back at any time? You think too highly of yourself to try to bargain with me over this matter."

Catherine had initially said she would bestow the title of Duke of Merios upon Scarlett, but nothing came of it.

Firstly, as Katrina said, the title was not legitimate, and she wanted to wait until the resource competition was over before bestowing the title.

Secondly, Catherine wanted to temper Scarlett's temper, so she kept the matter quiet.

If Scarlett loses her temper and asks her for the Duke's position, she will give it to her, but she will also be disappointed in Scarlett.

It seems that Scarlett's life will only ever reach the rank of duke.

But now, Scarlett is trading her dukedom for something else, something that has nothing to do with her.

She was both angry and delighted.

Her Scarlett has really grown up.

However, she couldn't express it; she had to isolate her and make her realize the importance of power.

She wanted Scarlett to truly and wholeheartedly seize power!

She won't be able to stay with Scarlett for much longer.

She could only force Scarlett to grow up.

"Katrina".

Catherine's brow furrowed, a mixture of relief and desolation hidden beneath her anger. She ordered Katrina, "Put the pen away, expel Scarlett from the palace, and issue the order that Scarlett be confined to Herda Palace and not to leave without a summons!"

……

……

As soon as Scarlett returned to Herda Palace, the Emperor's decree of confinement arrived.

Scarlett returned to her bedchamber in a sullen mood.

Riley and Holst exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing slightly.

Scarlett has always been favored by His Majesty. The only time she was severely punished was when she caused a disturbance at the research institute and destroyed important reagents.

What's the reason this time?
Riley had been busy with Privy Council affairs these past few days and rarely came back, so he was unaware of Christine's situation and was completely confused.

He asked Holst, "What has Your Highness been busy with these past few days?"

Holst was injured and still recuperating, spending most of his time at Herda Palace, except for a few outings.

Moreover, he accompanied Scarlett into the Lost Continent last time, so he knows her inside and out and is the one who knows the most.

Holst recalled the conversation from that day, unsure whether he should have said it or not.

He glanced at Riley twice.

Knowing Riley as he did, he believed that bringing this up would be more beneficial than harmful, so he said, "Your Highness is looking for someone."

"who?"

"The murderer."

Riley's heart skipped a beat, sensing a hint of danger. His brow furrowed, his expression sharp. "What murderer?"

Holst told him about Duke.

Upon hearing this, Riley immediately understood what Scarlett had done and exclaimed urgently, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Scarlett didn't mention it either.

I only told him about Gela.

Holster looked toward Scarlett's bedroom, his brow furrowed. "I didn't expect her to actually do that. She was just a commoner."

(End of this chapter)