On the second-floor balcony, Yuri Sinclair held a cup of coffee, watching the servants on the main path and Ashley Bowen's carefree departure. He took out his phone and dialed a number.
Downstairs, Ryan Osborne immediately turned his head.
Yuri Sinclair said coldly, "Have someone follow the Imperial Concubine. I want to know her every move."
He listened for the confirmation on the other end of the line, then looked away and continued to sip his coffee.
After an hour and a half of cycling, Ashley Bowen finally made it back home.
'I haven't seen Mom in a month. I've really missed her.'
She strode inside and was immediately greeted by the delicious aroma of home cooking. Just then, her mother walked out of the kitchen. Seeing Ashley, she quickly called out, "Come and eat!"
"Mom, how did you know I was hungry?" Ashley pounced toward the dining table like a greedy kitten. Seeing it covered with all her favorite dishes, she grabbed her chopsticks and began to devour her food.
Her mother sat to the side, watching. She reached out to straighten Ashley's messy bangs, and tears began to fall from her eyes. "I'm so sorry."
"Mom, why are you crying?" Ashley put down her chopsticks and threw herself into her mother's arms, wiping away the tears on her face.
"There are so many rules in the royal family. You must not be able to stand it. I shouldn't have agreed to this marriage, letting you repeat my past mistakes."
Ashley shook her head and quickly comforted her mother. "It's just that their food is terrible and doesn't suit my tastes. I'm really not suffering there. If you don't believe me, Mom, you can come with me and see for yourself!"
'Mom never talks about her past. She barely even mentions anything about Dad. I never understood why she was so against marrying into a wealthy family, but after what she just let slip, I think I'm starting to get it.'
"Sigh... it's not that easy to just go there for a visit. As long as you're doing well, that's what matters." Her mother sighed, then got up and went into the kitchen to ladle a bowl of soup for Ashley.
"I haven't moved into the palace yet. Right now, I'm staying at the Third Prince's private residence," Ashley said, taking a sip of soup.
After the meal, Ashley got back on her bike and headed back. The Sinclair family had a 7 p.m. curfew; if she was any later, she wouldn't be able to get in.
Not long after Ashley left, a black luxury car pulled up in front of the courtyard house. Ryan Osborne, dressed in a suit, stepped out and went straight inside.
Ashley's mother was clearing the dishes when she heard footsteps and looked up with a start.
"Hello, Madam." Ryan Osborne bowed, taking a device from the person beside him. "I am here on His Highness's orders to bring you something. This is a fingerprint scanner for the Sinclair family. Please register your fingerprint here. Once you do, you'll be able to freely enter and exit the Sinclair residence."
The ride back was uphill, so it took Ashley two hours to cycle back to the villa.
The servants were once again waiting for her at the entrance. Ryan Osborne greeted her with a wide smile. "Welcome back, Imperial Concubine."
Ashley glanced at her watch—it was already past six. 'Good thing I ate mom's cooking,' she thought. 'Otherwise I'd have to go hungry tonight.'
She leisurely made her way up the spiral staircase. When she reached the long, luxurious hallway, Ashley froze, stopping in her tracks as she stared at the row of identical doors.
'This is my first day here. Which room is mine?'
Suddenly, a voice came from behind her. "Imperial Concubine, your room is this way."
Ashley turned around. Ryan Osborne was standing behind her, though she hadn't noticed when he'd arrived. He was pointing to the left.
Ashley found it strange. "My room? Aren't I sharing a room with His Highness?"
"Yes, that is His Highness's arrangement. Please follow me, Imperial Concubine." Ryan Osborne smiled, though there was a clear hint of mockery on his face.