Aurora's mocking voice drifted in. "You've turned yourself into a joke!"Viola clutched her chest. "How dare you! You're just a concubine! How dare you come here to ridicule me?""Hah! As a concubine, I've actually received quite a generous sum from this household," Aurora said with a laugh. "Since I entered the family, I've had the best of everything—no one dares to treat me poorly. And not a single penny of my own money has ever gone out."With that, she left gracefully, leaving Viola gasping in frustration.In the entire household, Aurora was the only one who could stand apart and enjoy the spectacle. If Serena dared to ask for anything, Aurora would slap Serena without hesitation.Only someone like Viola… So despicable!After Aurora finished mocking Viola, she returned to her room. She checked the defensive mechanisms, and then ordered her maid not to enter before changing and going to bed.She had heard about the new Westhaven crown prince and confirmed the true identit
At Harmony Palace, Eleanor questioned the middle-aged man before her. His head was bowed, and she asked sharply, "How is this possible? How did Carissa find out about Cece's identity?! Did that wretch herself tell Carissa's people?"The man was tall and handsome, though a bit weathered. Hearing Eleanor's accusation, he quickly shook his head. "It's impossible. Celeste would never take the initiative to tell Lady Carissa. She has always been so obedient to you and never dared to disobey your orders.""She wouldn't dare." Eleanor's eyes flashed with hostility. "Her mother is still imprisoned in my palace dungeon. If she wants her mother released, she had better be obedient.""Of course. She'll definitely listen to you."Eleanor glared coldly at him, growing more enraged at his demeanor. "Go and ask her. Also, instruct the others to keep a lower profile and not let anyone learn of their identities. I suspect that Carissa only learned about Celeste and is making a fuss to provoke me,
Celeste's eyes were cold and contained a hint of disdain, even when addressing her father.She replied, "How could a mere concubine in the Earl of Gracehold's family possibly have any private dealings with the Hell Monarch's princess consort? If Mother doesn't trust me, I don't mind drinking a glass of poisoned wine to alleviate her concerns."Henry frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about? If she wanted you to drink poison, why would she spend so much money on your upbringing? Don't forget your mission—your mom is still in her hands."Celeste's eyes glinted with mockery and bitterness. "If you truly loved my mom, why didn't you stand up to Mother? Instead, you let me suffer and be mistreated just to keep her by your side."Henry's face darkened. "You've thrown the Earl of Gracehold's family into chaos. Grand Princess Eleanor is pleased with the turmoil. She's merely displeased that your identity was exposed. Your sister has already set out and will encounter the Hell Monarch
When Samuel was summoned back to Gracehold Estate, he continued to maintain a haughty attitude. He insisted that he had done nothing wrong, and claimed that the reprimand and the stripping of his title as heir were signs of the king's folly.The young man was arrogant and self-righteous. He looked down on everyone around him, including his own parents and family. He was convinced that he alone was in the right.Seeing Samuel's obstinate attitude, Noah was enraged and slapped him across the face. "Go and apologize to the duchess immediately! If you dare to voice any more dissatisfaction with the king, get out and never set foot in our family's residence again. And that includes the manor on Hibiscus Lane!"Samuel had returned home with a lingering sense of unease. After losing his status as heir, he had hoped that his family would support him through his protests. If they had, he would have reluctantly yielded and brought Ruby back with him.However, no one sided with him when he
Leona said, "Help me sit up and let him in. Let's see what he has to say.""Your Grace, are you sure you want him here?" Hazel recalled how Samuel had pushed Leona into the table, and was both angry and worried.Leona reassured her, "Don't worry. Have Alana and Leah watch from the side. He won't be able to touch me."Leona had given up on this man, but if he had something to say, it should be said clearly and directly.Hazel helped her sit up and placed a cushion behind her back. "You shouldn't be out of bed. The physician said you're not to move around.""I know," Leona replied flatly, her pale face betraying no emotion.Since Heather had forbidden her from seeking a divorce, she had spent her days lying listlessly in bed. Not only was she uncertain about the future, but she didn't even know what would happen the next day. But today, Samuel's angry arrival gave her a glimmer of strength. She wanted to do or say something.The footsteps grew louder and more urgent as he strode
Samuel was furious and embarrassed. He snapped, "You think so little of me, yet you're still eager to cling to me? Our feelings were never truly mutual. Our marriage was your obsession from the start, and I was simply pressured by the influence of the royal family…""Be quiet." Leona's eyes were red, and her lips trembled again as he spoke of their marriage. She felt deeply ashamed and distressed. "I did have feelings for you, but you also claimed to have feelings for me. That's how this wretched union came about. If my family had any power, would you have dared mistreat me?"Her tears fell uncontrollably despite her best efforts to hold them back. Though she tried to remain composed, her natural weakness meant that her emotions got the better of her, and the tears flowed freely.She was so thin and fragile, and she was trying to stifle her sobs but failed. Her appearance stirred a fleeting sense of guilt in Samuel. Yet, this guilt was short-lived. He had vowed to be loyal to
Samuel returned to the manor on Hibiscus Lane and immediately went to rinse his mouth, spitting out the blood. He couldn't let Ruby worry.In Hibiscus Lane, there were only two shop servants—one in the kitchen, and the other likely attending to Ruby. Samuel used the cold water in the dining room to rinse his mouth, feeling a sharp pain throbbing in his head. The left side of his mouth felt as though it were splitting open, and he had to endure the pain for a while before he could force back his tears.Leona was so ruthless. She had her husband beaten time and again. Samuel had been blinded by her gentle and mild demeanor, not realizing how jealous she truly was.Her cousin, the Hell Monarch's princess consort, was just like her—they were one and the same.He had been beaten, and both his grandmother and father would surely know. So, he had an excuse to leave in anger. If he were asked to return again, he wouldn't go back so easily."Bill, bring me that handkerchief..." he call
After being roused from his stupor by the servants, Samuel sat in the courtyard, feeling as though his heart had been hollowed out. No matter who called out to him, he remained unresponsive.Outside Hibiscus Lane, Henry's men kept a close watch. When they reported back to Henry, he frowned. "Didn't Celeste say she would sever ties with him properly? Forget it. He's of no use anyway. The reputation of the Earl of Gracehold's family is already notorious. It wouldn't matter what he did."Samuel spent two days at Hibiscus Lane, refusing to eat or drink. Celeste's departure wasn't the most devastating blow to him. The real blow was the words she had spoken before leaving.He had high ambitions and had achieved the rank of third place in the national examinations, garnering the admiration of many noble young women in the capital. He saw himself as a genius, someone born to stand apart from the ordinary, destined to rise above the common crowd. In his mind, he wasn't just exceptional
Salvador seemed much more clear-headed now, no longer as muddled as he had been in the palace.He smiled. "There's no need for formality. Please relax. I only came here to the estate to see Mr. Spencer and have a chat. I was feeling a bit restless."Carissa replied, "In that case, I won't keep you from your conversation with Kyle. We shall take our leave.""Don't rush off," Salvador said, his gaze turning toward her with genuine concern. "Since you're here, stay and talk for a while. How is your injury? Are you feeling better?"Carissa lowered her hand again, which she had just propped up, and answered, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It's getting better, but the physician insisted I rest in bed for a few more days.""I see." Salvador nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Injuries to the muscles and bones need proper care."He said this, but he didn't allow Carissa to leave. Everyone in the room stayed, either sitting or standing, and kept them company.After a moment o
The events in the study and at Serenity Palace were quickly reported to Salvador, leaving him restless and irritable. Coupled with days of intense planning, the strain weighed heavily on him, and the relentless headaches only worsened.Lifting Kylie's house arrest had been part of Salvador's preparations for Connor. If Connor was to be Crown Prince, his mom couldn't remain under the shadow of punishment. Salvador had hoped Kylie's time in confinement would lead her to reflect and understand the dangers of indulgence—that spoiling a son was no different from harming him. Yet, Kylie had emerged with an even stronger determination to keep Connor close, convinced that his presence was the key to securing her own position.Salvador pushed his dinner away, his appetite nonexistent. He forced down a few bites to keep his stomach from aching and sipped the bitter medicine prescribed.He had no choice but to drink it. Every day he managed to hold on felt like a small victory.But the loom
Kylie timed her visit perfectly and made another trip to the study to personally retrieve Connor. Together, they returned to Serenity Palace to offer their greetings to Victoria.The procession was grand, with a whole entourage following behind. Even Connor was carried back by a young chamberlain, only being set down once they reached the palace gates.Kylie straightened her appearance and held Connor's hand firmly as they entered.After performing the proper gestures to greet Victoria, Kylie remained on her knees and maintained perfect decorum throughout the entire time.However, Victoria made no motion to let her rise. Instead, she turned her attention to Connor, gesturing for him to approach. "Did your tutor praise you today?"Connor hesitated, shrinking back slightly. He cast a cautious glance at Victoria before answering in a timid voice, "The tutor forgot to praise me today."Still kneeling, Kylie quickly interjected. "Mother, Mr. Young is strict and doesn't hand out compli
The mother and son pair spoke in the royal study for nearly two hours.After Victoria left, Salvador issued an edict lifting Kylie's house arrest. However, the authority to manage the harem was not immediately returned to her.Upon hearing Derek's message, Kylie was at first hesitant to believe it. How had the house arrest been lifted so suddenly?But then she remembered—it must have been the rumors she had people spread earlier. The queen was still alive, yet they wanted to send her son to be raised in the queen dowager's palace? That went against tradition.So, after the house arrest was lifted, Kylie didn't immediately go to express her gratitude. Instead, she headed to the study to visit Connor.Upon seeing his mom, Connor's face lit up with joy. Ignoring the fact that Trevor was still giving a lesson, he sprang to his feet and ran straight into Kylie's arms. "Mom, I've missed you so much! When will you come and take me back?"Kylie bent down, resting her hands on his shoulde
The following day, Jeremiah went to the Royal Medical Department. All the court physicians, including the head physician, were present. Jeremiah sat, his gaze heavy as he surveyed them all. "I have only one question for you," he began. "Do you have any hope of curing His Majesty's illness?"The physicians fell into a long silence. After what seemed like an eternity, the head physician, Desmond Walker, looked up with tired eyes. The red veins around them were a testament to sleepless nights. He shook his head. "No, we do not.""Not even a glimmer of hope?" Jeremiah asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Not even the smallest chance, a method, anything?"Once again, the room was filled with silence. Jeremiah's eyes dimmed, his expression sinking until it was devoid of light. With a deep sigh, he finally spoke, his voice heavy with resignation. "Can you extend his life for two more years if we gather the full strength of the Royal Medical Department?"Desmond bowed his head,
That evening, Jeremiah chose to stay in the palace.Salvador still hadn't visited the harem, nor had he returned to his chambers. Instead, he had made his bed on the couch within the royal study.Jeremiah watched as Salvador finished his medicine and then offered him a piece of candy.Salvador accepted it, but he didn't eat it right away. His expression softened, and he smiled. "I still remember. When I was younger, my dad would punish me here in the royal study. Afterward, you would always give me a piece of candy and say a word of encouragement."Jeremiah glanced at Salvador. "Yes, I remember that as well. You used to tell me that you wished to be a wise ruler one day."Salvador's smile faltered, and he bit into the candy. His voice grew muffled as he spoke. "Have I disappointed you, Mr. Murray?"Jeremiah shook his head. "No, not at all. In my heart, you're a wise ruler, Your Majesty.""I am not," Salvador said, his eyes darkening with a hint of regret. "I still have many am
The weight of the situation was immense, and for a moment, Carissa's mind seemed incapable of processing it all.If Salvador were to pass, Connor's ascension to the throne would be nearly certain, and it wouldn't be long before he was declared Crown Prince. A young king would need regents, and not just one, which would lead to factions forming within the court. In that case, the balance of power would inevitably be thrown into turmoil.If regents weren't appointed, it was likely that either Victoria or Kylie would take charge and rule behind the scenes.Kylie was ambitious, and even in her confinement, she was plotting for Connor's future. The Quinton family, though suppressed by Salvador, held vast power. If Salvador were to die and Connor took the throne, their influence would soar. Who wouldn't want that kind of power?Jeremiah was aging, and though he had already entertained thoughts of stepping down, he was still willing to support the new king. But once the power struggle
After all the expected visitors have returned, Carissa could finally rest and focus on her recovery.Robert still made occasional visits, bringing medicines for healing and scar treatment. Jacob would always be by her side. He would thank Robert each time and ask him to pass on their gratitude.On this particular day, Robert arrived with Derek. Seeing an opportunity, Jacob decided to take Robert aside to discuss the treatment for the scars, giving Carissa the chance to speak privately with Derek.Carissa gestured to a seat across from her, inviting Derek to sit. "Was it His Majesty who sent you?"Derek settled down, and then cast a glance at the guards standing just outside the door. "It was His Majesty who sent me, though I had planned to come anyway. How is your injury, Your Grace? Have you been feeling better?"Carissa hesitated before meeting his gaze directly. "Do you think I'm healed, Mr. Walker?"He sighed. "Your Grace, you're quite perceptive. Your injury has improved, bu
Rosalind nodded and said, "Then, I won't keep you any longer. Farewell.""Safe travels!" Zoey smiled as she bid her goodbye.Once Rosalind left, Zoey glanced at Viola. She noticed the light had completely drained from her sister-in-law's eyes, leaving behind a shadow of regret. Zoey understood immediately—Viola was lamenting the past again."There's no use in dwelling on things that have already passed. Let's go inside."Viola had summoned all her courage to come and visit Carissa, to whom she owed an apology and a thank you. Though she said she was accompanying Zoey and Luna today, she was actually here to face the past.She had told herself she was ready, but all her resolve seemed to shatter when she saw Rosalind.It felt as if something had struck her hard in the chest. Her mind went blank, and that forced smile she had tried to wear now felt like a mask she was afraid would crack. She was terrified she might break down in front of them.As Viola followed her sisters-in-law