Before the meal began, the women gathered in one area to chat, while Salvador and his uncles and brothers conversed together.Meredith sat beside Carissa and said, "When you married Rafael, I was unwell and couldn't attend in person. I only sent a gift, so I must apologize for not being there. Please accept my apologies, my dear sister-in-law."Carissa understood that Meredith was not one to look down on others—she was simply expressing her concern. Carissa smiled and replied, "There's no need for you to apologize. I should be the one thanking you for the generous gift. Is your health any better now?""I still have a cough and have had a high fever for several days. At the time of your marriage to Rafael, I was truly bedridden," Meredith said, coughing a few times. Her maid quickly brought her a cup of honeyed lemon tea, which she sipped, helping to alleviate her discomfort, though her face remained flushed from coughing."Please take care of yourself, Meredith," Carissa said w
Helen's words drew scornful glances from everyone present towards Heather.Heather felt a mix of grievance and shame. She looked at Carissa, hoping the latter might say something on her behalf. Yet Carissa's expression remained indifferent, her eyes betraying no emotion. Heather had no choice but to give up. However, Heather silently resented Carissa.How could she not speak up for her own aunt? How would she face Melanie in the afterlife after acting this way?Everyone continued chatting for a while before Eleanor finally returned. After the customary exchanges of greetings, everyone resumed their seats.As if the tension between them had never existed, Carissa greeted Eleanor with a respectful nod. Eleanor was even better at masking her feelings, and she gave Carissa a warm, attentive glance.Victoria inquired about Ruth, and Eleanor replied, "Mom's health has improved somewhat, but she won't be joining us for the New Year's Eve celebration tonight. With the cold weather, she
Hayden had been granted the title of duke, and lived a relatively comfortable life in his fief. It wasn't that he desired to return alone to the capital to spend his old age in solitude. He had hoped to have his descendants around him. However, as he grew older, he longed for a return to his roots. It was also partly to show the king that with his presence in the capital, it ensured his children and grandchildren would remain loyal.Hayden wasn't concerned about his own family, but he had noticed some troubling signs. He feared that ambitious individuals might try to win over the various local princes and dukes. That was why he anxiously returned to the capital and retired, to keep a closer watch on things.Tonight, he had taken Rafael aside. Hayden wanted to pretend he was drunk to speak his mind—whether as a warning or a hint, it was the most he could do.Before parting, he patted Rafael on the shoulder. "I must say, I quite like your wife. Bring her to visit me sometimes."Raf
The night was filled with lively festivities that lasted until past midnight, after which everyone retired to their rooms to sleep.Ryan was exhausted beyond measure, but he held on as much as he could. At the end of the night, Travis carried him back to their room.Rafael held Carissa close in the warmth of their bed, hoping to warm not just her body but her heart as well. He expected her to say something, but she remained silent, quietly lying in his embrace with even breaths. He couldn't tell if she had fallen asleep.However, Carissa was not asleep. She couldn't sleep, and she didn't want to move or speak. Some things, she believed, had to be endured silently. She would grit her teeth through the pain. Time would eventually cover the wounds, sealing away the hurt.That was her usual way of coping.What was different now was that she had someone who truly cared for her.Rafael felt a pang of sadness in his heart, mostly from the pain he felt for her. She would smile at him whe
Carissa responded with a thoughtful hum. "If an ordinary woman thought that way, I'd understand. But the Spencer family is a prestigious family from Ebonflow with a century-long unbroken lineage, though their marriage matters are complicated because of your aunt's elopement. Still, you're from a prominent family yourself. Why cling to someone with a higher status? Wouldn't marrying into a lower status family so you'd hold more authority in the marriage be a more comfortable life?""That's why I say she's foolish," Violet said, fastening the Mystic Pearl earrings on Carissa. "Yuvan's interest in the Spencer family isn't as simple as it seems. He's already left the capital this morning. I wonder how he'll handle your aunt's funeral.""Have people been sent to keep watch?" Carissa asked."They have," Violet said, pinching Carissa's cheek. "Smile a little. You haven't smiled much these days. If I had descendants, I'd want them to smile every day even after I'm gone."Carissa swatted
Mary was already quite exhausted. Upon receiving the hot drink and food at the estate, she heartily drank two large bowls of stew and even asked if she could have another bowl.Carissa placed a stack of banknotes, amounting to ten thousand silver coins, along with the stew on the table. Mary's eyes widened in shock; she looked up at Carissa, visibly trembling with awe and emotion. She had spent two days raising only seven hundred silver coins.As Mary struggled to find words in her astonishment, Helen interjected from the side, "Bring me the box for storing the banknotes. Give her twenty thousand silver coins."As Carissa's mother-in-law, it was only right to support her daughter-in-law, and to do so generously.Mary stood up in excitement, her tears nearly spilling over."Please, don't be so overwhelmed. Sit down, Madam Clayton," Carissa said, concerned that the old woman's emotional response might lead to a health issue.Mary's granddaughters-in-law couldn't help but be moved t
Speaking of which, it had indeed been a while since anyone had paid attention to the affairs of the Warren family.With Barrett having two wives now, they would surely be able to attend to Rebecca properly.Helen remarked, "Yes, that's true. After people argue, they often say hurtful things. No matter who comes, they'll just keep insulting, and they use the most vicious words."As Helen spoke, she shrunk back slightly, clearly feeling a bit guilty.Violet smiled and said, "It sounds like there's a story behind this."Helen smiled wryly. "Back when I had a quarrel with Dakota and lost, the late king came to console me. I was so upset that I almost caused a major disaster by directing my anger at him. Fortunately, my sister came to the rescue, or I would have likely ended up in a secluded residence far from the main palace, weaving spider webs."Carissa and Violet exchanged amused glances. Helen did sometimes speak without regard for the occasion.Victoria did indeed dote on Helen
However, there were always a few people who criticized Carissa, claiming that as the Hell Monarch's princess consort and the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Northwatch's family, she was wealthy and could easily afford the donation of several tens of thousands of silver coins. So, how could thirty thousand silver coins be a significant amount for her?In contrast, they claimed that the Warren family was poor and that Rebecca, who had long been ill, couldn't be expected to donate money. This explanation was promptly rebutted."Do you have a misunderstanding about what constitutes being poor? When Barrett married Aurora, the dowry was reportedly between ten and twenty thousand silver coins. And what about the dowry of the Prince family's daughter? Did you not see the amount?""You say they're poor, but what spills from their fingers could feed you for a year.""Even if they're poor, not donating is one thing, but why insult the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill's family by c