Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

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Crash!!! Francis vigorously threw the teacup on the table. Within seconds, it broke into a thousand pieces, creating the most vivid
noise in the room. The tea water spilled out and part of it splashed on Diana's clothes. But she didn't get upset. She merely
wiped off the water drops on her garments and asked again, "What? Am I right? Are you annoyed because of what I just said?"
"Diana, mind your words and that attitude of yours. Don't forget that we're partners and that's it. I don't like it when others
comment on my personal affairs," Francis reminded her while his eyes darkened. He had never denied his feelings for Harper.
He also knew that Harper didn't like him. But it didn't matter to him. In his mind, he would be satisfied if he could have her by his
side. He wasn't that greedy as to expect that she would fall in love with him as well. As long as he physically owned her, it would
be more than enough.
"Of course. I haven't forgotten that our relationship is strictly business. But don't forget that you're now my husband," Diana
whispered right at Francis' ear upon getting close enough to him. However, Francis only frowned and pushed her away.
"I don't like being touched by anyone," Francis apathetically stated. Then he stood up and left without looking back.
Looking at his receding figure, Diana sneered, "You don't like being touched by anyone? What a joke! We know that's just an
excuse. Even though that woman doesn't even have a bit of affection for you and she wants to end your life, you keep on
guarding your feelings for her like a precious child. How ridiculous it is that a royal prince can't get over a woman!"
"Your Highness, shall we —" a maid proposed with so much hesitation.
But before she could finish her words, Diana interrupted, "No, we don't need to do anything. I'd like to see him hurt and bleed
while he willingly drives himself into a corner. It is actually boring to see him being cold and indifferent all day. He doesn't like to
be touched, right? Good! I'd like to see if he doesn't like to be touched by anyone or he doesn't like to be touched by everyone
else except for Harper!"
Meanwhile, a young woman was passing through the streets of the South Kingdom. The people on both sides made way for her

and even bowed as she passed by them. Without looking at them, the woman just walked forward. Her goal was very clear. She

was walking towards the inn. Harper and Matthew went out to watch the Worship Ceremony. Because of this, it took them a long
time to come back to the inn. Just then, they saw a beautiful woman coming towards the direction of the inn. Harper couldn't help
but curiously ask, "This woman..."
"She's the Holy Maiden of the South Kingdom. In here, apart from King Lance, the Holy Maiden is also favored by the people
very much. The woman who danced and prayed during the Worship Ceremony is none other than her," Matthew whispered by
her ear. Harper blinked her eyes a few times to take a closer look at the Holy Maiden. When they were watching the Worship
Ceremony, Harper wasn't able to see her clearly because she was wearing a mask. But now, she wasn't that far away so Harper
could see her face in the open. She must admit that she was a really beautiful lady with a delicate face. Harper asked again,
"What's the identity of this Holy Maiden?" "I don't know that much. But from what I gather, after the previous Holy Maiden has
retired, another woman will inherit the position. Except for the previous Holy Maiden, I'm afraid no one knows her identity before
she took up the position. Also, the Holy Maiden doesn't live in the Imperial Palace, but in the Starry Palace where all the previous
Holy Maidens lived for generations," Matthew comprehensively informed her.
"The Starry Palace?" Harper repeated. Somehow, the name of the place struck a chord in her. "It's a little strange. The place
where the Holy Maiden lives is called the Starry Palace. For some reason, I just don't think they fit each other."
"Yes, it is a little strange. Except for the Holy Maiden and King Lance, no one is allowed to enter the library of the Starry Palace.
The status of the Holy Maiden is only second to the king. Besides, the Holy Maiden is more skillful at venomous insect tricks than
Diana. The essential difference is that Diana uses them to harm people while the maiden uses them to save people. It could be
said that the Holy Maiden has a much greater reputation than the king," Matthew answered, still at a slow pace.
Harper had fought with Diana before. She was well aware that Diana's poisoning skills were quite cruel and deadly. However,
Diana had failed many times because Harper was actually immune to any poison. If it were someone else, Diana would have
been able to kill him or her multiple times. Unfortunately for her, she met Harper. "The Holy Maiden actually enjoys a greater

reputation than the king? That's just very surprising. Wouldn't the king become restless and scared because of her influence?"
Harper asked in surprise. If this were to happen in the Bright Dynasty, the emperor would be bothered when someone had a

higher reputation and was more influential than him. Matthew barely escaped the former emperor's wrath just for having a great
influence on the land. "Since the Holy Maiden doesn't take part in the state affairs, she poses no threat to the king's power. So
instead of being restless
and scared of her prestige, it can be said that the king is just happy about her prestige. After all, she keeps herself away from
political affairs. But my opinion is that if the Holy Maiden took part in the state affairs, the king would probably mind it so much
that he may even act upon it," Matthew commented. Each Holy Maiden had high prestige in the South Kingdom, but the royal
family and the Holy Maiden supported each other without any conflict of interest. For many years, they had been getting along in
peace. There might be some special reason behind it, but no one was able to comprehend it, at least for the time being.
"Right after the Worship Ceremony, this Holy Maiden came out alone. Is there any special reason for that?" Harper asked,
growing more and more curious. From her perspective, the Holy Maiden shouldn't just leave her place and wander around at will.
But Harper saw that she roamed around in public as soon as the Worship Ceremony was over.
People on both sides of the street continued to go down on their knees and worshiped the Holy Maiden. From the sea of people,
she stood out from the crowd. Within a second, one could immediately find her. It was like their eyes were drawn to her. If
someone wanted to execute her, it would be so easy for the killer to locate their target.
When the Holy Maiden passed by the inn where Harper and Matthew were staying at, she unexpectedly stopped. She looked up
and saw Harper. Then a smile appeared in her eyes. A second later, she walked into the inn.
Harper and Matthew looked at each other, both confused as ever. Somehow, they felt that the Holy Maiden was coming for
Harper specifically, especially when she saw that the Holy Maiden smiled upon seeing her.
"It is such a great pleasure to welcome you, Your Grace," the keeper of the inn greeted with admiration. All of the inn's working
stuff came out to greet the Holy Maiden as well. They all knelt on the ground respectfully.
The Holy Maiden replied in a soothing and gentle tone, "Get up, please. There's no need to be so courteous. I'm just thirsty so I
came in here hoping to have a cup of tea."
"Your Grace, I'll prepare a wonderful kind of tea for you. Please wait a moment," the keeper answered in a reverent tone. He
immediately called the waiters to come and serve her. The Holy Maiden, on the other hand, kept looking upstairs. No one in the
room could tell what she was thinking about.