Seeing everyone’s distress, Barrett took the list of gifts.After reviewing it, he asked Charlotte, "What's the issue here? They're asking for two thousand silver coins, two pairs of gold bracelets, two pairs of malachite bracelets, two sets of rose gold hair ornaments, and fifty rolls of brocade. That's all. The miscellaneous items aren't a lot either.""That's all?" Charlotte sneered coldly. "Unfortunately, our household can't even scrape together a thousand coins right now.""How's that possible? Who manages the finances? Do we not have money?" Barrett asked in surprise."I manage the finances," Carissa said calmly."You manage the finances? Then, where's the money?" Barrett questioned."Yeah, where's the money?" Charlotte chuckled coldly. "Do you think our family is some wealthy noble family? Valor Estate was granted to your grandfather by the late king because he was a senior military commander."Your father and uncle's annual salaries plus stipends don't exceed two thousan
Rebecca paused momentarily.Borrow?Well, Rebecca herself had said that it was a loan, and they would repay Carissa once things eased up. Now that her daughter-in-law had phrased it that way, the older woman had no way to retort.Still, Rebecca couldn't help but inwardly criticize Carissa for her lack of understanding. The girl had no family left. What else would she spend her money on if not for the Warren family?Barrett shook his head. "I'll figure something out on my own. I won't need to borrow from you."With that said, he turned and left the room.All eyes turned to Carissa, who curtsied politely and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave.""Carissa, stay here!" Rebecca's face darkened as her anger surged.She was no longer coughing or weak, especially since she had taken the medicine that Sebastian had prescribed yesterday.Carissa looked at her mother-in-law. "Is there something else you need?"Rebecca spoke with great seriousness and concern, "I know you
Rebecca refused to believe that Sebastian wouldn't come. After all, he had visited yesterday to deliver medicine, and had even given detailed explanations about her condition.She immediately sent someone to the physician's office to fetch Sebastian, but he didn't even show up.Instead, he had a message relayed to Rebecca's steward through the resident physician. The steward, in turn, relayed the exact words of the resident physician to Rebecca, who almost lost her temper once she heard it.Sebastian's message was, "There's no need to call for me again. The actions of the people in Valor Estate are disheartening. Treating a person who lacks integrity would shorten my life. I don't wish to die prematurely."Fuming, Rebecca exclaimed, "Carissa must have stopped Sebastian from treating me! I never imagined she could be so cruel."When Barrett married her, I thought she was gentle and virtuous. I didn't see any signs that she was such a treacherous person during the year she lived her
Barrett wandered around outside, trying to borrow money from his acquaintances. However, all he managed to secure was a thousand silver coins. It was far from the over ten thousand silver coins needed for the betrothal gifts and wedding party.The truth was, he could easily borrow twenty or thirty thousand from prestigious families, since he had just returned victorious. After all, he was now a rising star at court, and everyone was eager to curry favor with him.But he couldn't bring himself to do it. Borrowing money was an awkward and sensitive thing to do. As much as possible, he wanted to preserve his dignity.After much deliberation, he thought it might be less humiliating to borrow from Carissa than from others.On his way back home, he saw Bryan riding towards him.Without waiting for his brother to speak, Bryan said, "Barrett, hurry back home. Your wife is about to drive Mom to her death!"Hearing Carissa was causing trouble again, Barrett sighed irritably. "What has she
Barrett took a deep breath, staring at his wife in disbelief. Was she really serious about wanting to leave, or was this just another way to manipulate him?But no, he could never agree to a divorce. Divorcing Carissa would bring a storm of public outrage that would drown both him and Aurora.Plus, his fellow soldiers would be ashamed of him, as everyone in the army revered Carissa's father as a legendary hero. He couldn't afford to lose their respect."Carissa, I won't divorce you," said Barrett, sounding both frustrated and resigned. "I'll make sure you're well cared for, but you need to stop causing all this trouble. What you did this time was the worst."How could you use my mother's illness to blackmail me? Don't you think that's too cruel? If you're upset, take it out on me. Stop tormenting my mother. It's disrespectful, and it'll ruin your reputation."Carissa's expression was icy as she taunted, "Is it that you won't divorce me or that you're too afraid to? Divorcing me wo
Lulu scoffed. "Ten thousand silver coins worth of betrothal gifts? Do they think the Warren family is that rich? When you married into this family, your mother only asked for a few hundred silver coins. It was such a loss."Carissa sighed dramatically. "I agree. My mother settled for too little."Lulu laughed with her, but as she laughed, tears started to fall. Carissa had endured so much when she married into the Warren family. Back then, Carissa had believed Barrett's grand promises—he swore he'd never take a concubine.In the end, it was all lies, and Carissa's life was ruined.Wiping her tears, Lulu went off to fetch the watercress soup and chicken soup, and she invited the other maids to share some too.The king's edict for an amicable divorce was still under wraps, but the people Carissa had brought from her family home were loyal and trustworthy. They knew what was going on, and it was necessary to prepare them anyway.What worried Lulu was the possibility of the king not
After handing over the household management rights, Carissa shut herself in her mansion and refused to see anyone. She only met with the people from her own family, avoiding everyone else.She even had her meals cooked in the small kitchen of Grace Mansion. Her servants, Lily and Holly, would personally buy ingredients and cook for her.Once Carissa called back her staff, the entire Valor Estate plunged into chaos. Amelia had to step in, hastily promoting capable servants to fill the gaps left by the departing ones, trying to follow the old routines.But with the upcoming wedding, there simply weren't enough hands. The servants Carissa had recalled left a noticeable void. Now, every part of the estate was left shorthanded.Reporting the situation to Rebecca, Amelia saw the older woman grip her forehead in frustration."I never thought she'd be this inconsiderate. I must have been blind to treat her so well. I never even made her follow any rules," said Rebecca.When Amelia heard
When Rebecca fell ill, it caused a stir in the estate for half the night. Eventually, they had to call for a royal physician to temporarily stabilize her condition.The royal physician told Barrett, "I've treated Madam Warren before, but my skills are limited. The best physician in the capital for treating heart ailments is Sebastian. His medicine, Snowdrop Pills, is the only thing that can save her life."I've managed to control her condition for now because she's been taking those pills for a year, but if her episodes become more frequent in the future, there's little more I can do."With that, the physician took his leave.Furious, Barrett's eyes were bloodshot. He had personally gone to Sebastian’s clinic to ask him to treat Rebecca, but the physician had refused to see him. Barrett knew Carissa must be the one behind this. She was employing such a despicable tactic—using his mother's health to pressure him into giving up on marrying Aurora.Kicking the door open, he stormed i
That evening, Ryan and Clarence sat by candlelight and spoke quietly. They avoided discussing court politics as Clarence had no interest in such matters. As long as the kingdom was peaceful, that was enough for him.He was no longer the eldest prince of Starhaven, and only had himself to look after now. Everything else had faded into the past.It was better not to speak of politics; it was too sensitive a topic. In his younger years, Clarence hadn't understood why his "death" was so tied to such matters. But over the years, Sebastian had explained everything to him, bit by bit, including the risks and consequences.The bond between Clarence and Cecil was not without affection. However, to gamble with one's life and future for the sake of family might not be the wisest choice for any of them.Clarence had come to terms with it. Life had to go on; it was better to live it well today than to wonder about tomorrow."Aunt Carissa said you're no longer able to stand, but you were walking
The azaleas of Eldermere Keep bloomed in a riot of color, spreading across the hills in a blaze of purple and red. The sight was enough to dazzle anyone who set eyes upon it, especially those who had never visited this secluded place. It was the kind of beauty that made one long to stay forever.Yet, there was one exception.A young man rode his horse to the base of the mountain, dismounted, and secured his steed. Without a glance at the dazzling scene around him, he began to walk the path up the mountain, his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.The vivid azaleas stretched out along either side of the path, reaching out as if to claim him, but he merely brushed them aside with a casual swipe of his hand.His pace was swift, and he occasionally used his Lightfoot Skill. Eldermere Keep was not high up, but its location was well-hidden, with many winding paths leading in. However, he had studied the map countless times before embarking on this journey, so the route to the keep was et
Rafael glanced at the robe. "Isn't that mine? Are you saying I've gotten fat? I'm not fat.""Oh, is it yours? It's too long, then. I'll have someone alter it for me," Carissa replied casually.Rafael shook his head. "If you want something loose, just have someone make it for you. Why bother altering my old clothes? It's not even comfortable.""I'm going to Meadow Ridge for a year. Wearing your clothes will make it feel like you're still with me," Carissa said with a bright smile, as if the idea of being apart for a year was no more serious than being apart for a day."A year?" Rafael looked shocked. "You're going back for a whole year? Why?""Well, of course, my mentor misses me, and I miss him too," Carissa replied, placing her hands on her hips as she handed the robe to Lulu, who was standing by with a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh."But I won't leave right away. Since Ryan is about to inherit the duke's title, I'll wait until that's settled before I go back to Meado
On the 13th day of winter, Salvador suddenly woke up feeling clearer than before. Saying he was hungry, he specifically asked for beef stew and milk pastries.Derek hurried to make the necessary arrangements. When the food arrived, Octavia sat by the bed as she had done many times before, ready to feed him. But Salvador insisted he wanted to sit up to eat himself.Derek gently helped the king sit up, placing a soft cushion behind him to support his back. Salvador had grown so thin that he seemed to be nothing but skin and bones. His body slouched as he sat, so Derek had to kneel beside the bed, holding his waist to keep him steady.Salvador finished an entire bowl of stew, eating it all without leaving a single bit behind. Then, he picked up a small milk pastry. But after a bite, he felt a little nauseous, so he didn't eat any more.Sebastian sent word to Victoria. After a brief conversation, her face turned pale and tears started to fall almost immediately. Though she had tried to
Once back at the palace, Salvador was unable to rise from his bed. Sebastian spoke briefly with him, hinting that he didn't have much time left. If there was anyone he wished to see, it should be done as soon as possible.The first person Salvador wanted to see was, of course, Victoria."That child… When he saw me, he couldn't stop asking about you. You didn't love him in vain, Mom," Salvador murmured, his voice weak.Victoria sighed deeply. "How cruel... his life must be lived hidden away in the mountains, never able to leave. Is there truly no hope for his legs?""I believe there is no hope," Salvador replied softly, his lips pale and drained of color. "But as I was leaving, he said, 'Dad, once I've learned enough medicine, I'll cure you. I'll make you better.'"Victoria's heart ached. "What a good child."Salvador's gaze drifted to the ceiling, his voice barely a whisper as he repeated, "Yes, he is a good child."After speaking with Victoria, Salvador asked Rafael to bring in
Salvador had temporarily settled at Eldermere Keep. The place was filled with every kind of medicine, yet his illness had reached a point where no remedy could ease his suffering.Still, staying there brought him peace. It was as if he had finally set down a heavy burden and could now live as an ordinary father. He spent each day with his son, sharing simple moments together.Carissa was allowed to visit and spend some time with Connor. He asked her about Ryan, specifically inquiring whether he had made any new friends."Ryan has no other friends but you. He always thinks about you," she reassured with a smile, thinking the eldest prince might be jealous.Connor was quiet for a long while, his expression tinged with guilt. Finally, with a deep sadness in his eyes, he softly said, "I have friends now, like Otto. Ryan should have his own friends too. I always think about him, but... I don't think I'll ever see him again."Carissa gently patted his head and smiled. "The future is lon
After the sun set behind the mountains, the temperature began to drop. Salvador had been carried up the mountain, but now, he was carrying Connor on his back as they made their way back into the estate.Connor had his arms tightly wrapped around Salvador's thin shoulders, and he couldn't stop the tears from falling. This was a scene he had never even dared to dream of. Not only had he never imagined being carried by his father, but even something as simple as having his father gently pat his head had always seemed like an impossible wish.But his father was so thin; there was no flesh on his back at all. How had he become so frail?Carissa and the others waited outside the gates. Not even Galen had been allowed in. Only Salvador's most loyal attendants, those who had carried the litter, were permitted to enter. The others, of course, were kept away from Connor. They all believed that Salvador had come to Eldermere Keep solely to recover from his illness.The estate itself was full
Salvador didn't fare well along the long and tiring journey, his condition worsening with each passing day. Sebastian did what he could—applying needle treatment and using medicine—but all he could offer was temporary relief. As they pressed on, the king's condition only seemed to deteriorate further.Fortunately, Salvador was a man of remarkable willpower. Despite his suffering, he gritted his teeth and carried on, unwilling to give in. He could not afford to back down—not now.Eldermere Keep lay in the southern province of Mendoria, where the climate was mild and temperate, perfect for someone needing rest and recovery. Even though it was now winter, the air was neither cold nor biting, more akin to the gentler days of autumn.The locals knew little of Eldermere Keep, though they often spoke of a physician's office that was the largest in Mendoria, as big as the one in the capital, also called Arcane Sanctum. There were other keeps, but this one was renowned for its abundance of r
Before Salvador left the capital, Rafael had already become regent and taken on the required duties. With his great military achievements, he had earned respect from both civil and military officials. At first, no one questioned his authority, and many even held him in high regard.However, with Salvador now ill and traveling incognito, rumors began to spread within the palace, warning people to be wary of the regent. The fear was that, as Cecil was still so young, Rafael might take advantage of the situation and eventually replace him.As often the case, such suspicion and rumors spread like wildfire, fueled by the mouths of many. Consequently, a number of officials lost their previous respect for Rafael. They even began to disregard his orders, paying them little heed and carrying out his commands half-heartedly.Noticing this troubling shift, Davis felt a sense of urgency. He decided to speak with Patrick, the Minister of Justice, who was also Cecil's grandfather and the father o