Wayne let out a quiet sigh. "If it were any other woman, your usual methods would suffice. But Violet isn't just any woman. Ordinary drugs won't work on her."Yuvan raised a brow. "Aren't all these drugs supposed to stir desire? What's different about yours?""Strictly speaking, Your Highness, your usual drug doesn't evoke real desire—it merely awakens physical urges. My concoction, however, is a type of parasitic toxin. It numbs the brain, and after… intimacy, it causes the victim to develop an emotional attachment to their partner," Wayne explained.Yuvan's face lit up with delight. "That sounds like a miracle drug! Why didn't you give it to me sooner? If she becomes attached to me, what I desire will naturally become her desire as well."Wayne smiled bitterly. "Your Highness, this so-called emotional attachment goes against one's free will. It can only last for a short time.""How long?" Yuvan asked."Ten days, maybe half a month at most."Yuvan's eyes gleamed darkly as he to
As dusk settled, two carriages from Hell Monarch Estate arrived promptly at the gates of Edgeview Estate.The moment the carriages pulled up, the gatekeeper hurried to report their arrival. The main gate of Edgeview Estate was even opened to welcome them, showing just how important the occasion was.Molly and Fiona stood at the entrance with Stephanie and Sabrina, ready to greet their guests. Since Violet was a woman, Lucian and Randall didn't come out to join them.The sight of two carriages immediately set Fiona on edge. She was well aware of Yuvan's plans for the night. Only Violet was supposed to be coming—why were two carriages necessary?When Rafael and Carissa stepped out of one of the carriages, Fiona froze and her carefully curated smile faltered.What were they doing here?"I thought you only invited Violet! How did you extend the invitation?" she hissed under her breath, glaring at Molly.However, Molly was visibly pleased with herself. Originally, Yuvan had instructe
Wayne wasn't reassured and continued to advise Yuvan. "Your Highness, once your ambitions are realized, there will be no shortage of women for you to choose from. When that time comes, you might find Violet no different from anyone else.""That's enough." Yuvan's expression darkened.After uttering those words, an unexpected wave of frustration surged within him. It wasn't something he could control—the feeling swelled, crashing over him like a tidal wave until it spilled out."I have lived a simple, restrained life these years. I've kept my desires in check, suppressing my nature and not allowing any mistakes to show. It's not like I haven't been tempted over the years, but I ignored all of it because I knew indulging in pleasures would ruin everything. But Violet Spencer is different. She's the first woman I've desired who also happens to be useful. She's the perfect candidate to help me achieve my goals."Wayne was both alarmed and furious at Yuvan's outburst. For the first ti
Rafael chuckled. "Uncle Yuvan, how could you think I'd be upset with you? Unless, of course, you've done something to wrong me?"Yuvan laughed heartily, waving a hand dismissively in front of Rafael. "Of course not!"He was the first to stride over to his seat, sweeping his cloak aside as he sat down with an air of authority. "Please, sit. No need to stand on ceremony."He was dressed in a finely embroidered surcoat of rich brocade, featuring a golden thread pattern of soaring cranes. A faint touch of color stained his lips, giving them a subtle red hue, and his face radiated with a confident smile.Violet glanced at him, unable to shake the impression that he resembled a peacock spreading its feathers.Once everyone was seated, Wayne entered with Randall and Lucian. The two brothers had been genuinely happy to see Carissa and Rafael earlier, but now there was a noticeable awkwardness in the air. After greeting them, they sat down, their expressions stiff and uncomfortable. They e
Stephanie was initially a bit afraid of Carissa, but when she heard those words, she stood up in a huff and demanded, "Carissa, how can you slander me like this and ruin my reputation? What do you gain from this?"Immediately, Travis barked sharply, "How dare you call the princess consort by her name?"Carissa raised her hand, signaling for Travis to step back.She then looked up at Stephanie, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she said, "I see you're quick to speak harshly, but when your mom was treated so poorly, you didn't utter a word of protest. Why? If you were too scared to speak up, you should have at least served her properly. Don't forget, she gave birth to you."Stephanie was seething with anger. She was about to retort, but when Rafael's cold gaze swept across the room, her anger quickly turned to hesitation.She dared not speak further, though she muttered bitterly, "What does this have to do with you? If you're so capable, why didn't you do something about it? It's e
Yuvan inevitably reprimanded Stephanie and ordered her to return and reflect on her behavior, warning her not to embarrass herself any further. Fiona called for Sabrina and took her along as they left.The moment Fiona stepped out, she signaled her maid to follow Carissa and Violet. While the estate didn't have hidden chambers or prisons, it wasn't a place anyone could wander through at will. Molly was a fool, and Fiona feared she might be used for something she wasn't aware of.Wayne had been quietly observing Rafael. Although he was speaking with Yuvan, his expression clearly showed some displeasure, and his gaze occasionally drifted outside. It was almost like a young couple having a spat—annoyed but still unwilling to let go.And with the flash of anger Carissa had shown just before leaving, it was hard to pretend it was anything but genuine. Wayne was fairly certain that her purpose in coming to Edgeview Estate was to stand up for Avis and vent her frustration. This had likely
Edgeview Estate was hardly a place where anything could be hidden. If there was something, it would likely be nothing more than correspondence, but anything truly important would have been hidden away or destroyed. Getting into the study would be no easy feat, and causing a scene would only make matters worse.They had invited Violet here for a reason, though its true purpose had been unclear until now. Now, Carissa knew what that reason was.Before arriving today, she had planned to use this opportunity to find out how many people in Edgeview Estate were skilled in martial arts, and whether any of the suicide soldiers were hiding within the estate. If the suicide soldiers weren't here, she could allow Violet to return next time.Now that she knew Yuvan's intentions, she wouldn't let her friend take such a risk. The way Yuvan looked at Violet was revolting. His gaze was so lecherous that just thinking about it made Carissa feel sick.The maids filed in, placing various pastries on
Back at Hell Monarch Estate, Violet jumped out of the carriage and gave a few quick hops at the gate, shaking off all the bad energy that had clung to her. Her face was ashen with fury."What the hell was that? How dare he have designs on me? Doesn't he realize his son is older than I am? That shameless old fart!" she roared.Luke happened to be walking out at that moment. When he overheard Violet's words, he took a step back, his round face looking thoroughly confused.Why would someone be shameless just because they were old?Carissa, just as upset, pulled Violet into the estate. "Don't go to Edgeview Estate again. The way his eyes were all over you… Just thinking about it makes me feel like you've been sullied. It's disgusting."She couldn't tell if the man she saw tonight was still the ambitious man she knew—it was like he had turned into a completely different person. He was nothing but a pervert.Once inside the council hall, Rafael recounted to Jacob how Yuvan had been eye
In banquets like these, no one truly ate with much enthusiasm. Most dishes were merely tasted before being set aside, barely touched before servants whisked them away.But the Nerathians were different. They treated every dish with genuine respect, cleaning their plates entirely, no matter what was served. Their wine glasses, once filled, were immediately emptied again. The palace servants attending to them must have been exhausted, constantly refilling their glasses and replacing empty plates.Violet recalled their meal at Spring Pavilion. Just like tonight, not a single scrap had been left behind. She wanted to say something to Carissa, but the only sound in the hall was the clinking of cutlery and the quiet shifting of plates. Speaking now would be too conspicuous.Still, one glance between them was enough.Violet's thought was clear—the Nerathians' presence at this banquet must be tied to the negotiations. Carissa agreed.However, their exact role remained uncertain. Were they
The banquet began in the late afternoon, with Liam personally escorting the Starhaven delegation to the palace again.As they had suspected, the coronation ceremony had already been held. This evening's gathering was mainly focused on the border negotiations. Upon entering, Carissa and Violet noticed that there were no other foreign emissaries present—only royals, nobles, and officials from various departments.While they showed no hostility toward the Starhaven delegation, they weren't particularly welcoming either. Since a translator was needed for communication, conversations remained minimal, limited to simple greetings.Just as they were settling in, Lisandra turned to the Starhaven delegation and remarked, "Today, we have guests from Nerathia joining us as well. They should be arriving shortly. I believe you will find that you have much in common."Davis' eyes brightened immediately. "Guests from Nerathia? Who might they be?"His excitement was understandable.The weapons t
Lisandra continued, "The irony is, when I was a grand princess, I could call for women to join the ranks of government without hesitation. Now that I am the queen, I must move slowly, cautiously, balancing all the factions, weakening their hostility and wariness toward me. There are so many things to consider and so many forces at play. At times, I grow impatient, and I wish I could simply rid myself of those who oppose me."Carissa thought for a moment before replying, "In truth, whether one is a king or an official, man or woman, I believe their goal is the same, Your Majesty. It's to ensure the long-term stability of the kingdom and the peace and prosperity of the people. "When the nation prospers and war is no longer a threat, any reforms you wish to make will face less resistance. But for now, you must first secure your position, Your Majesty."Her meaning was subtle, but Lisandra understood clearly. The kingdom was still in turmoil, with various factions causing obstacles. Si
The royal palace of Orivenia stood resplendent and imposing, its golden architecture gleaming under the night sky, exuding an air of solemn grandeur.Upon passing through the first palace gate, the carriage rolled smoothly along the wide palace path, its spaciousness a stark contrast to the more cramped streets outside. However, what stood out the most was the abundance of lamps. It seemed as if oil was no object, for the palace grounds were lit up as though the night itself had been banished. As they got out of the carriage and walked along the winding corridor, the large trees ahead were hung with many lamps. Anyone trying to hide in the trees wouldn't stand a chance; they would be seen immediately.Liam led the way. As they approached a grand palace hall, two female attendants stepped forward. They exchanged a few words with Liam in the Westic before smiling and nodding to Carissa and Violet."Ladies, Her Majesty invites you to enter the palace," Liam said with a polite gesture
By the time they reached the capital of Orivenia, it was the 13th of August. A full month had passed since they left Starhaven.The afternoon sun shone brightly, and Kendrick lay back in the carriage as they entered the city.Since entering Orivenia's borders, they had endured seven assassination attempts. The last one had been particularly brutal, likely involving suicide soldiers. Many of the Mystic Army were injured, and even Violet had been grazed on the shoulder. Thankfully, it hadn't struck anything vital.Kendrick's fear was understandable. The attack had come when he was emerging from the washroom. The assassin's sword had pierced his chest, nearly plunging in completely. It was Carissa who noticed in time and swiftly turned, driving her spear into the assassin's chest before dragging him back with the hooked tip of her dagger, saving Kendrick's life.Though the injuries were minor, Kendrick reacted as if he had been mortally wounded. He howled in agony for half the night b
Kendrick had been shaken by the attack, and the royal physician had already been called to prepare a sedative to calm his nerves.When Carissa visited him, it was a pitiful sight. His face was as pale as paper, drained of all color. His lips trembled, and he shakily asked if the assassins were gone.She reassured him, saying they had gone, and only then did his trembling subside slightly.The people around him had already informed him that the assassins were driven off, but he hadn't believed them. He needed to hear it from Carissa to feel any sense of security.Carissa reminded him to rest and recuperate before she left.Meanwhile, Davis was busy comforting the others. As the Defense Minister, he had seen his fair share of chaos and remained calm. Also, he trusted Carissa and the Mystic Army. He didn't think there was much to fear—at worst, they had just risked losing a head.It was Meadow Ridge's members who gathered together, speculating that the black-clad figures they had en
At the break of dawn, the large procession set out for Orivenia.Carissa didn't feel much regret in leaving. After all, they would pass through Victory Pass on the way back, and she would have the chance to meet with her grandfather and his family again.Once they had left Victory Pass, the road grew rougher. Many sections were full of deep potholes or had been intentionally damaged, making it difficult for the carriages to move forward.However, Kendrick was determined not to ride a horse again. Even after days of rest, his legs were still sore from the relentless friction of the saddle. Walking was manageable, but sitting on horseback? That was pure agony.So, despite having earned his merit at Victory Pass for establishing an orphanage there, Kendrick insisted on traveling by carriage. When the wheels got stuck or the path became too treacherous, the Mystic Army soldiers dismounted and pushed the carriage forward, inching their way through the difficult terrain.Fortunately,
Wallace gave the order, and Barrett was tasked with the job of investigating. He led a group to search the area.Barrett was aware that Carissa had arrived at Victory Pass. He had been there to greet the group. However, he had stayed at a distance, watching from afar without approaching. From that distance, he hadn't been able to make out any faces, only a vague silhouette that seemed to resemble hers.He had thought his actions unnecessary. After all, what business did he have with her? The affairs of the capital were nothing for him to involve himself with.While the diplomatic envoy rested in Victory Pass, they spent their time discussing strategies and rehearsing their approach. Everyone understood that while this negotiation might seem easier compared to the last, it was by no means a simple task.Lisandra had long kept this matter at the forefront of her mind and would not easily yield to any compromises.The Sullivan family also feared that someone might infiltrate the envo
Spring Pavilion was full that day.The restaurant wasn't very big to begin with, and it usually had some customers. The black-clad men that lady brought had taken up all the remaining seats.Carissa, Violet, and Travis had to sit at a small table the owner had set up at the last minute, separate from the others.The man's voice, soft and apologetic, reached Carissa's ear. It was warm and pleasant. "These are my brothers-in-arms. We've been traveling since last night and haven't had a bite to eat. If it troubles you, I can have them wait outside and just pass them some bread each when we're done."Violet paused, surprised, but quickly shook her head. "No need for that. Please, let them stay. They can sit where they like and order what they wish."The man smiled kindly. "You are kind-hearted, miss. In that case, we'll order freely, and we'll take extra.""Alright… That's fine," Violet replied, casting a glance at the sea of black. The men were dressed in a way that suggested some