Chapter 426 Chapter 426 Sudden Attack
Tiffany nodded, understanding that Mary's distraction might have been fueled by the earlier encounter with Nora. However, she didn't want to delve into it further. "It happens. Let's not dwell on it. We'll address it later. For now, let's focus on getting home."
Mary, however, wasn't ready to let it go. Frowning, she muttered under her breath, blaming Nora for the entire situation. "If that Nora hadn't distracted me, I wouldn't have been so careless. I was too busy thinking about how to put her in her place."
Tiffany, realizing that Mary was agitated, tried to pacify her. "Mary, accidents happen. Let's not make it more than it is. We'll sort it out tomorrow. For now, let's put it behind us."
Tiffany watched as her maid blamed Nora for the forgotten cloak, and a wry smile played on her lips. She found Mary's attempt to shift the blame amusing but decided to diffuse the situation.
"Mary, it's not Nora's fault. Accidents happen, and it's just a cloak. Let's not harbor ill feelings," Tiffany said, trying to ease the tension.
Mary, however, was not so quick to let go of her resentment. "My lady, she's been causing trouble, and I can't stand it. I want to teach her a lesson she won't forget."
Tiffany raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Mary's determination for retribution. "Teach her a lesson? What do you have in mind?"
A mischievous glint sparkled in Mary's eyes as she leaned closer, whispering a plan that left Tiffany both surprised and amused. "I thought of putting some glue on the top of her chair. That way, she won't be able to stand up in public unless she removes her dress."
Tiffany couldn't help but burst into laughter at the audacity of Mary's scheme. "Mary, that's a bit extreme, don't you think? Let's find a more diplomatic way to handle this. We don't want to escalate things unnecessarily."
Mary pouted, disappointed that her elaborate plan didn't receive immediate approval. "But my lady, she deserves it. She's been rude to you, and I can't stand seeing you treated that way."
Tiffany, touched by Mary's loyalty, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I appreciate your loyalty, Mary, but revenge isn't the solution. Let's rise above such pettiness. Besides, we have more important matters to focus on."
As they discussed Nora, the rhythmic sounds of hoofbeats reached Tiffany's ears, and soon enough, Nora's voice echoed outside the carriage, desperately calling for them to wait.
"Tiffany..."
Intrigued and a bit puzzled, Tiffany instructed the coachman to halt the carriage.
Nora, with Tiffany's cloak in hand, approached the carriage, panting from the exertion of catching up. Tiffany, now leaning out from behind the curtain, furrowed her brow in curiosity. She hadn't expected Nora to be the one returning the forgotten cloak.
Nora, catching her breath, extended the cloak towards Tiffany with a genuine smile. "Nexus saw your cloak and thought you might need it. He suggested I bring it to you as a token of gratitude."
Tiffany's initial confusion gave way to understanding. Nexus, always thoughtful and considerate, had taken notice of the forgotten cloak and prompted Nora to return it. It was a small gesture that spoke volumes about Nexus's character.
Tiffany accepted the cloak with a nod of appreciation. "Thank you, Nora. That was kind of you."
Nora, still catching her breath, took a moment to compose herself before offering an apology. "I also wanted to say sorry. I shouldn't have given you a hard look earlier. It was rude, especially considering you're our honored guest."
Tiffany, recognizing Nora's sincerity, smiled graciously. "No harm done, Nora. We all have our moments. Let's put it behind us."
Nora's tense expression relaxed, and a sense of relief washed over her. Tiffany's willingness to forgive diffused the tension, and Nora felt a weight lifted off her shoulders.
Emboldened by Tiffany's understanding, Nora decided to extend the olive branch further. "Actually, I wanted to thank you for talking to Nexus about the Ankydragon's scales. I know I've been a bit... protective, but I truly care about Nexus's interests."
Tiffany nodded, appreciating Nora's honesty. "I understand, Nora. Nexus is quite remarkable, and I'm happy to help. Besides, we're all allies here."
As they chatted, the maid, Mary, listened intently from inside the carriage, her curiosity piqued. Nora's change in attitude had caught her off guard, and she couldn't help but wonder about the dynamics unfolding between the two women.
With the tension further diffused, Nora, though still slightly out of breath, found herself engaging in a more relaxed conversation with Tiffany. The topic shifted from apologies to the upcoming events in Castra City and even to Nexus's recent escapades.
Tiffany, with a mischievous glint in her eye, teased Nora, "I heard Nexus has been quite the talk of the town lately. It seems like he's attracting attention from all quarters."
Nora, a bit bashful, chuckled. "Yes, he has a way of standing out. Sometimes I worry he might attract trouble, but he handles it quite well."
Tiffany nodded in agreement. "He does seem capable. And from what I've seen, he's adept at making allies, even among the ladies."
Nora blushed slightly but couldn't hide a proud smile. "Well, he is charming in his own way. It's hard not to be drawn to him."
The two ladies were engrossed in their conversation, sharing laughter and light-hearted banter. Tiffany, while still contemplating how to play a prank on Nora, noticed an abrupt change in Nora's demeanor. The playful expression on Nora's face morphed into one of focused intensity. Tiffany furrowed her brow in confusion, trying to decipher the sudden shift.
In an instant, Tiffany observed Nora summoning water magic with remarkable speed and precision. The air crackled with magical energy as Nora's hands danced through intricate gestures. Tiffany, unaccustomed to such displays of magic, felt a mix of awe and apprehension.
Before Tiffany could inquire about Nora's sudden magical prowess, an explosive force erupted from the back of the carriage. The carriage shuddered violently as if caught in the grip of a powerful force. Tiffany clutched onto the carriage's interior, her heart pounding in her chest.
The blast sent shockwaves through the air, causing the once-sturdy carriage to shudder violently. Tiffany, caught off guard, felt her world turn into a chaotic whirlwind. The force of the explosion overturned the carriage, sending it rolling uncontrollably across the ground.
Amidst the chaos, Tiffany experienced a disorienting mixture of fear and confusion.The deafening sound of the explosion echoed in her ears, and the sensation of the carriage rolling seemed unending.
The overturned carriage continued its tumultuous journey, rolling across the ground like a runaway boulder. Tiffany felt the relentless shaking of her body, each impact a harsh reminder of the peril they faced. The world outside was a blur of motion, disorienting and surrea
As the carriage finally came to a halt, Tiffany found herself disheveled and shaken. The once-elegant interior was now a wreck of splintered wood and torn upholstery. Broken fragments surrounded Tiffany as she struggled to make sense of the aftermath. The air was thick with the scent of upturned earth and chaos. She felt a throbbing pain in various parts of her body, likely from being tossed around during the violent upheaval.
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