Helen lay on her chaise lounge, her heart burning with resentment towards Carissa. Her attendant, Gillian, stood beside her, trying to offer comfort. “There’s no need to be so upset, Your Highness. Prince Rafael is a man with his own thoughts. He’s merely infatuated with Lady Sinclair’s beauty at the moment. I’ve heard she’s the most stunning woman in the capital. "When Madam Sinclair first planned to marry her off, many noble families sought her hand. It’s a mystery why Madam Sinclair ended up marrying her to General Warren.”As she dabbed Helen’s tears away with a handkerchief, she continued soothingly, “After all, she is merely a secondhand item. There’s no need for you to be so enraged. If Prince Rafael insists on marrying her, so be it. A beauty from afar is pleasing to the eye, but living with her every day can become tiresome. "No matter how beautiful a woman is, if she becomes petty and jealous, which man wouldn’t grow weary of her? Prince Rafael will have many concubi
Gillian sent people out to investigate, and quickly learned about the commotion Rebecca had caused at Northwatch Estate with her eldest son and daughter-in-law. The incident had caused quite a stir, and it was easy to gather information. The general sentiment among the onlookers was that the Warren family had been excessively oppressive.Gillian had this information confirmed and then reported it to Helen, who frowned at the news. “If Carissa hadn’t pushed the matter to an extreme, would the Warrens have gone to such lengths to cause a scene? Did Sebastian really refuse to treat her?”“It’s true,” Gillian confirmed. “The physician's office also issued a statement and clarified that it was due to Madam Warren’s lack of virtue that they refused to treat her.”Helen sneered. “Since when do physicians decide whether to treat a patient based on their character? As an outsider, how could he know the internal matters of the Warren family? Clearly, Carissa must have told him she was bei
After Rafael left Evergreen Palace, he headed to Serenity Palace to pay respects to Victoria and seek her approval to marry Carissa.Victoria was delighted. “Child, you're silently accomplishing great deeds! Just two months ago, your mom was expressing her worries about your marriage to me. Who would have thought you'd meet Cari on the battlefield and instantly hit it off? Cari is a good girl. You need to treat her well and cherish her.”“Mother, I will definitely treat her well,” Rafael assured. “However, it seems my mom doesn't like Carissa much. She might summon Carissa to the palace in the next couple of days to give her a hard time.”Victoria immediately understood that he was indirectly asking for her help. Her eyes softened with affection as she said kindly, “Don't worry. As long as I'm here, she won't suffer anything.”Rafael knelt, and solemnly thanked her. “I’ll leave everything to you, Mother.”Victoria gazed at him, a flicker of complex emotions in her eyes. However,
The next day, Carissa entered the palace with Lulu.She first went to pay respects to Victoria. Victoria happily took her hand, and asked about her relationship with Rafael.Carissa had prepared her explanation well. She recounted how she and Rafael had fallen for each other on the battlefield, and that he had proposed upon returning to the capital. Grateful for his regard, she had accepted.Victoria knew the real story, but chose not to mention Salvador's three-month ultimatum. She merely smiled and said it was all a matter of fate, divinely ordained.After chatting for the length of about half an hour, Victoria mentioned summoning Helen.Understanding Victoria’s good intentions, Carissa shook her head. “Lady Helen has already summoned me to Evergreen Palace. If I rely on your favor and defy her, she will only resent me more once I marry into the family. You may protect me this time, but you won’t always be able to shield me in the future.”Victoria gazed at her. “You’re always
Leaving Lulu outside the hall, Carissa lowered her head and stepped inside.The white marble tiles beneath her feet were so polished that it looked like mirrors, reflecting the opulent and luxurious decor that surrounded her.Carissa quickly glanced up and saw a distinguished woman seated on a chair in the center of the hall, dressed in a regal purple gown. Her hair was styled in an elaborate bun, adorned with luxurious jewels, and her features bore a slight resemblance to Rafael's.Carissa knew this woman was Helen.Stepping forward, Carissa knelt. "Greetings, Your Highness."Carissa's posture was perfect, her gaze lowered, and her dress neatly arranged. The slight movement of her hairpins as she knelt was just right, leaving no room for criticism. After all, she had spent a year learning proper etiquette upon her return from Meadow Ridge, under the guidance of the palace tutors.Helen's cold voice pierced the air, "Raise your head, and let me see your alluring face."Carissa o
Carissa looked up, her expression solemn. "Thank you for your leniency, Your Highness. As for my status and whether I am worthy of the marshal, that is for him to decide. Either way, since he proposed, I will marry him.""He's simply momentarily confused! He will come to his senses eventually. You're a woman who was discarded by the Warren family. He's only intrigued by you for now, but he will abandon you once the novelty wears off. In the end, you will be the one who suffers. I'm looking out for you. Why are you so ungrateful?" Helen argued furiously."I divorced Barrett. I'm not a discarded woman—I requested the divorce edict. If anyone was discarded, it was him. The Warren family had no say in it. Nevertheless, I appreciate your concern," Carissa replied.Still angry, Helen retorted, "Regardless of who left whom, you're still a woman who has married once. A virtuous woman does not remarry. Since you chose to divorce, you should stay at home and not aim for higher status. What yo
Helen didn't want to let Carissa leave so easily, at least not before she gave up the idea of marrying into the royal family. However, Carissa didn't mind kneeling. Having been punished with kneeling plenty of times at Meadow Ridge, she had grown accustomed to it.She had no intention of currying favor with Helen, who already had plenty of people around her doing just that. Besides, Carissa's marriage to Rafael was a mutually beneficial arrangement. There was no need for unnecessary flattery.In fact, Helen's straightforward personality made her easier to deal with. She was fierce but not cunning, which was preferable to those who were two-faced.Carissa wouldn't bully Helen, but she wouldn't let her future mother-in-law bully her either. It was much like when Carissa had to deal with Rebecca when she was still part of the Warren family.Before Barrett returned, Rebecca had always been kind to her, so Carissa naturally showed her respect. But after Barrett's return and his decision
Looking at the cute and innocent princess, Carissa recalled how she looked when she was a child—chubby and adorable.Kiera had slimmed down a bit, but still had cherubic cheeks that gave her a sweet and charming appearance. Especially when she smiled, her dimples were shallow, and her eyes seemed filled with sweetness, making people happy just to see her.Carissa smiled. "If everything goes well, I should be your sister-in-law."Kiera shook Carissa's arm, stars twinkling in her eyes. "I admire you so much. The queen dowager and the king say you're the most outstanding female general in our era. It used to be Aurora, but I don't like her much. I met her once—she was very aloof and acted rudely. She didn't have the grace and charm that you have, being both a formidable general and a captivating woman."The princess stuck out her tongue playfully. "But Mother says girls shouldn't casually talk about other girls; it can easily cause misunderstandings and tarnish their reputations. So,
Clifford's eyes gleamed with a sharp light. "Very well. Let's hear some of your self-righteous words."Salvador, ever the suspicious soul, had always been wary of the Hell Monarch's household. Even if Carissa hadn't risen for women's rights, Salvador would still remain cautious of her.How could Carissa not know Clifford's intentions? From the moment he asked, she knew it was a trap.Before she could respond, Clifford sneered and added, "You can always start by flattering King Salvador. Praise him for how he treats women under his rule. As long as your conscience is clear, feel free to do so."Carissa was infuriated, but she wasn't willing to be baited. She met his mocking, challenging gaze. "Don't make assumptions. That's not the same thing at all. You think people are ignorant and narrow-minded as they can't understand your preferences, so you resort to extreme measures to gain their approval. But that's your personal problem. You can't speak for others like you, and you're not
Gerald and Clifford met in the Supreme Court's interrogation room. They sat across from each other, an old wooden table between them. Carissa sat behind the scribe's desk, not far from them. Even if they spoke in hushed tones, she could hear every word clearly.The only sounds in the room were the quiet rustle of breath, the steady beat of hearts, and occasionally, the almost imperceptible sound of a sigh.Yet, no words passed between them.Neither of them exchanged even a fleeting glance. It was as if they were two strangers who were forced to sit together—distant, indifferent.Carissa wondered if it was her presence that made things so strained, though she could not leave. All she could do was endure the awkward silence alongside them.At last, Gerald asked, "Why?"Gerald was truly baffled, struggling to reconcile the person before him with the image of someone he thought he knew. No matter how he looked at Clifford, he could not align the two.Clifford clasped his hands tog
As Carissa returned to the Capital Guard Headquarters the next morning, Heather intercepted her at the door.It had been a long while since Carissa had last seen Heather. In fact, it seemed Heather had kept herself mostly secluded lately.Since Harvey had been brought back to the capital, his son Lennon Sanford had not been captured, but Chester's forces continued their search. It was almost certain that the boy would be caught soon enough.Heather, anxious that Lennon might be implicated and face the same brutal punishment of beheading, rushed to Carissa for help.Carissa knew Heather had already tried appealing to Leona when Harvey was first brought back. She had asked Leona to talk to Carissa on her behalf. Yet Leona had refused, and she never mentioned the matter to Carissa. Carissa only learned of this from Alana."Carissa!" Heather hurried toward her, her face frantic with worry. "I need to speak with you. Could we find a quiet place to talk?""I have matters to attend to.
In her study, Carissa wrote a letter. Then, she handed it to Jacob with instructions to have it delivered to Rafael in the Southern Frontier.She knew the situation in the Southern Frontier. Victor was amassing troops but neither attacking nor retreating, keeping things in a stalemate.Everyone knew that Victor was just stalling. He had been given a military order to invade the Southern Frontier, but since Nicholas had failed, he could not return with any captured cities or military achievements to report.If Victor made a hasty retreat now, he would likely lose more than just his position—his life might be forfeited as well. He attempted to forge alliances with the nomads, hoping to find a way out—perhaps a way to secure his future or an escape from certain doom.The nomads, tired of conflict, had no interest in picking sides. Caught in the middle, they were doing everything they could to remain neutral, refusing to aid either side. If they really had to choose, they would choos
At precisely three in the afternoon, the long execution block was brought forward. The block was forged from ironwood, solid and unyielding. It was the only one of its kind in Starhaven, used solely for execution by Torso Cleaving.The block had been kept in storage for years.Augustus had once deemed the act of Torso Cleaving too brutal. Even those who committed the most grievous offenses were spared this form of execution. Yet, the punishment had not been abolished. It remained a tool to strike fear into the hearts of would-be traitors.The cruelty of Torso Cleaving lay in the fact that after a person was cleaved in two, the upper body could still crawl, struggle, and leave behind a bloody trail.Normally, Torso Cleaving wasn't meant to be witnessed by the public. But treason, betraying the kingdom, and plotting to overthrow the throne were considered unforgivable crimes. Salvador didn't know how many people had dealings with the traitors, and some conspirators were too deepl
The capital guards escorted Evelyn, Zoey, and Viola up to the execution platform. Evelyn's legs trembled, and she couldn't muster any strength. Her tears flowed uncontrollably, blurring her vision to the point that she could no longer see clearly."You foolish boy!" Evelyn let out a mournful cry, raising her hand and slapping Oliver's face. "You've disgraced your grandfather and your father! How can you face them in the afterlife?"Her slap lacked force; even as she exerted every ounce of her strength, Oliver barely felt the sting.Caught in a whirlwind of panic, Oliver's mind raced. Seeing his mom before him, he seemed to have found a lifeline in a stormy sea. He cried desperately, "Mom, save me! Please save me!"Evelyn, near exhaustion from her sorrow, could barely speak. "You've committed an unforgivable crime! How can I save you now? His Majesty once showed favor to you—how could you betray such grace?""Mom, I know I was wrong! I know it now!" Oliver cried, tears streaming do
After Evelyn finished crying, she didn't say much. However, she stubbornly insisted on going to deliver Oliver his final meal. Her eyes were swollen and her voice was thick with congestion, nearly a rasp. "I know the court allows family to see their loved ones before execution," she said, her tone strained. "I don't want anything else—just this one thing. I need to see him and make sure he's fed. I don't want him to die hungry and become a vengeful spirit."Tears began to fall once more as she cast a tearful glance at Zoey. "You have children, too. You should understand what it means to be a mother. To the world, he may be seen as the greatest of villains. But to me, he will always be that helpless child that hasn't changed."Zoey remained silent for a long moment, then finally said, "Mother, do you know how the final meeting is arranged? It is at the execution ground. Are you sure you want to see him getting decapitated?"Evelyn trembled, her body shaking with emotion. "You must
When Carissa went to the palace to deliver her report, she also expressed her sympathy for Zoey besides presenting the confession. She didn't hide her admiration for Zoey in her words.Despite her difficult life, Zoey still had a kind heart. She continuously gave out food and medicine. Even though her whole family now lived in Skye Embroidery, she never asked for the money she had given away to be returned.Furthermore, Zoey had shown great courage and moral integrity. She had publicly condemned her kin for the sake of the greater good—a rare quality that many men, even among the nobility, could not aspire to.Recognizing the need for such an example to inspire his people, Salvador immediately issued an edict praising Zoey. He granted her 100 gold coins and a residence.As for the exiled men from the Prince family, they could return to the capital after the Southern Frontier won the battle, along with the Hell Monarch.Zoey had turned an impossible situation around. Now, who would
Oliver was a notorious criminal, and he should have been sent directly to the Supreme Court. However, Carissa took a different route. She had him detained at the Capital Guard headquarters, where he was to be interrogated first. Afterward, she planned to report the matter to Salvador. She would credit Zoey for her tip, and then plead for Caspian and Cedric to be allowed to return to the capital as soon as possible.Celeste was still detained in the Capital Guard headquarters. If she and Oliver met, it might uncover more secrets—such as just how deeply the Spencer family's collateral branch was involved in this mess.The two prisoners were held in adjacent cells, separated by only a narrow iron bar. When their eyes met for the first time, both faces changed instantly.On the way here, Oliver kept cursing Zoey for betraying him. But when he saw Celeste, he completely forgot about Zoey. He snarled, his teeth clenched. "You wretched woman, look at you now! It's true—bad people get w