The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Standing here, it truly felt like an audience before the ancestors of the Schnabel family!

The forebears of the Schnabel family were all laid to rest here.

The serenity of the mountains, with endless greenery shrouded in mist, enveloped the cemetery, adding a layer of peace to the silence.

Resting here, the ancestors of the Schnabel family must be content!

Grandma Harriet surely would have adored this place too.

The Schnabel family car soon entered the cemetery.

Marcel donned a suit he would only wear in his younger days, meticulously pressed, showing signs of aging with its slightly yellowed fabric and the traces of hand-stitched embroidery.

He declined Tristan's offer of support, gripping his dragon-headed cane tightly.

"I can still walk! I don't want Harriet to see me struggling to move!"

Tristan didn't insist, simply having Sienna follow with the wheelchair at a respectful distance.

Marcel had aged significantly since Ashlyn's uproar!

Had it not been for Ulrich bringing Malvina back for dinner the next day, brightening the old man's spirits, he might not have left his room at all.

Seeing him like this, Tristan was extremely worried but felt it wasn't his place to say much.

After all, the affairs of the older generation were beyond his purview!

Horatio's disciple had arranged for the memorial service, sitting in a circle chanting in a solemn tone.

From afar, Sienna's eyes teared up at the sight of Noella and Palmer, hand in hand.

She gazed at the gravestone, adorned with the loving smile of the late matriarch. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

"Mom, we've never met, but I'm your daughter-in-law! Thank you for taking such good care of my Noella!

We may not have had the chance to meet, but rest assured, I'll take good care of the family!"

Sienna knew, if it hadn't been for Harriet's unconditional love, her precious daughter might never have had the chance to return to the Schnabel family!

Thinking of the hardships Harriet and Noella faced, Sienna's heart ached!

Tristan quickly embraced Sienna.

"It's alright, honey, don't make Mom sad. See, Mom and Noella are both back now, right? Our precious daughter won't suffer anymore!"

The couple cried together, holding each other tightly.

Horatio, with his muscular arms partially exposed, wore a maroon robe embroidered with golden threads in sacred texts, exuding a serene aura.

"Blessings to all, simply follow my lead in paying respects."

This was the first time the Schnabel family held a memorial service for Harriet.

Following Marcel's wishes, it was conducted with the highest honors, to bring joy to Harriet's spirit!

Kneeling beside Elara, Noella looked calmly at the photo of the forever gentle Harriet.

Suddenly feeling a presence beside her, Noella turned to see Palmer kneeling next to her.

"You don't have to, this is a family matter…"

Just a few days ago, at Palmer's mother's memorial service, Noella didn't kneel with Palmer, only offering incense.

Yet now, he wanted to join her in honoring her grandmother?

Palmer gently took Noella's hand, enveloping it in his warm, broad palm.

His gaze was firm, his expression solemn and respectful.

"I’ve already paid my respects to grandma at Verdant Garden. I’m glad to be able to honor her with you. May I have a place by your side?"

He had already paid his respects?

Noella couldn't imagine Palmer, a man of such stature, quietly honoring her grandmother in her absence.

Verdant Garden, no different from a quaint village house with its earthen walls and tiled roof, seemed humble.

This man's wealth could buy countless homes like that!

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn’t, I had no right then, so I paid my respects in secret. But now, I can do so openly!"

Noella looked down at Palmer's hand, adorned with the watch and cufflinks she had gifted him.

It was hard to say whether it was moved or joy, but Noella's heart felt full!

"Yes, you can meet grandma openly now."

Palmer's lips curved into a gentle smile.

As Horatio and his disciples chanted the scriptures, the Schnabel family paid their respects to Harriet's shrine, each bow filled with deep reverence.

Marcel, sitting in a wheelchair, watched silently, his grip on the cane trembling with emotion.

After the final bow, Noella looked up at the sky, feeling as if the floating ashes took on a familiar form before dissipating before her eyes.

In that moment, Noella understood her grandmother had truly left.

She used to worry about Noella, but now she must be completely at peace.

Noella was surrounded by loving family, parents, and siblings who cherished her like a treasure, and Palmer by her side.

Palmer turned and embraced Noella, comforting her gently.

"It's alright, Grandma knows you're happy, and that would make her happy too."

Noella's voice was muffled, recalling moments spent with her grandmother, her eyes moist.

“

Once, my grandmother was my only family, loving me unconditionally. But now, I had many loved ones, including you!”

"I'm honored."

Seeing Palmer comforting Noella, Sienna wiped away her tears, feeling immensely relieved.

For Palmer to show such care and thoughtfulness, it was clear his affection for their precious daughter was genuine.

Filled with relief, Sienna playfully slapped Tristan.

"Look at Palmer, then look at you. You weren't even this thoughtful when you were courting me!"

Tristan felt wronged beyond words.

"Should I court you all over again?"

"Come on, we've been married for years now. Why chase the past? It's embarrassing, honestly! Besides, I can't turn back time."

Tristan chuckled, wrapping an arm around Sienna with a sheepish grin. "Honey, in my eyes, you're forever in your dazzling twenties."

Their peaceful moment was shattered by a piercing scream.

A bloodied old woman stumbled and fell at the entrance of the cemetery, screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Why is Harriet buried here? Get her out!"

Helen followed at a leisurely pace.

"I won't go in. Palmer, do me a favor and light a candle for Harriet. Tell her... we'll meet again soon. Next time in hell, we'll have plenty to talk about!"

"The old witch slipped away when I wasn't looking. I'll take her back now."

Several burly men stepped forward, lifting the delirious Ashlyn, while Noella watched from the side.

Noella knew that Helen had done this on purpose.

She wanted her grandmother to see the sorry state Ashlyn was in now.

It was Helen's way of showing her hidden tenderness beneath her ice-cold stubbornness.

Palmer apologized, "I'm sorry for my grandmother's words. She didn't mean to offend Grandma Harriet."

"It's alright. Grandma Helen was a very gentle soul!"