Chapter 146

Victoria's voice was choked with emotion.

When Carissa was very young, she often accompanied Melanie to the palace. At that time, Victoria was still the queen consort.

Victoria and Melanie's most frequent topic of conversation was that women should strive for themselves, and not spend their entire lives being subservient to men. They should have their own thoughts and live their lives to the fullest.

Whenever this topic came up, Victoria would sigh, saying that she was trapped within the high walls of the harem. Though it appeared she lived a life of luxury and wealth, it was also a life without freedom.

Melanie would agree, saying that women didn't necessarily have to marry and bear children; they could also venture into the world and carve out their own path.

That was why, when Carissa was seven, she was allowed to leave home and join the Pathfinders Guild to learn martial arts. With the skills to defend herself, she could explore the world without fearing for her safety.

In an