It was Rafael's day off, and he felt as though Yuvan had ruined half of it. Helen shared his sentiments, expressing her disdain for Yuvan's family and how they expected her to play host."I can't stand a heartless man like him," she fumed. "Though he and the late king were brothers, he's not an ounce like him. He tortured his legitimate wife to death—he truly is a despicable man!"Gillian interjected gently, "They came all this way, and you're the only one with enough seniority to handle them properly. We can't have Prince Rafael or Lady Carissa dealing with them. After all, they're younger than Prince Yuvan. It wouldn't make sense for an elder to visit the younger generation. Isn't it more fitting for you to step in? By doing so, you've helped Prince Rafael and Lady Carissa.""I know, but I'm just so angry. I want to slap Yuvan twice," Helen said, her expression darkening. “There are plenty of heartless men out there, but I’ve rarely encountered one who is both cruel and callous.”
"Huh?""What?"In the main hall, both Rafael and Carissa were taken aback by the words of Trevor's wife, Mildred. They exchanged glances that spoke volumes of their confusion. Neither of them knew how to respond."This matter really has to be entrusted to you, Prince Rafael, Lady Carissa," Mildred sighed, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes crinkling.Carissa said with a troubled look, "But shouldn't matchmaking be handled by a professional matchmaker? Or at least a government-appointed matchmaker, or someone of high moral standing? I'm still quite young. I really can't bear this heavy responsibility."Mildred sighed deeply again. "You may laugh at us for saying this, but my granddaughter has always been well-behaved and sensible, except when it comes to her marriage. I've secretly scouted several suitable matches for her in the past, but she hasn't liked any of them. She insists on marrying only that man. We've tried to persuade her repeatedly, but she refuses to listen. She'
Rafael stole a glance at Carissa, relieved to see she wasn't angry. Turning away, he felt the urge to slap himself for even worrying. It was clear that Trevor truly adored his granddaughter.Rosalind seemed to be Trevor's youngest grandchild. As the baby of the family, it made sense she would be the most cherished."Are you two in a hurry? Today, we—""Yes, we're in a hurry! That girl is practically in tears!" Trevor rubbed his knees anxiously, eager for them to seek out Thomas immediately. "She may be stubborn, but if the Farrell family gives her an answer she believes, she'll be able to let it go. She won't cling to it forever."Mildred nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Right now, all they've said is that they don't want to hold my granddaughter's life up. Rosalind thinks they're just making excuses. If they're not interested, they should just say so. She's the kind of person who needs honesty."Hearing this, Rafae's heart sank. It was clear he wouldn't be taking his wife to see th
Carissa laughed, and said, "What's the rush? Your godbrother will be here soon. There's someone interested in him who wants to know his feelings, but he's already turned her down. This time, they're inviting him to clarify whether he's truly not interested or if he just has no plans to marry."Violet's eyes brightened, and she hurried inside. "Really? Which girl has such good taste to fancy my godbrother? Come on, spill it!""The granddaughter of Mr. Young, Rosalind." Carissa shushed her quickly. "Don't spread this around. It might not lead anywhere.""It's her?" Violet shot up from her seat, shock written all over her face. "Is my godbrother out of his mind? Rosalind Young! Why did he refuse? She's such a catch—gracious, loyal, talented, and stunning. Families would be fighting over her!""Keep it down," Carissa snapped, shooting her a glare.Violet sat back down, a huge grin on her face. "I'm just so excited! But does Ms. Young really like him? It couldn't be just a passing fanc
Thomas laughed bitterly. "The rumors about my marriage intentions were spread on my orders. I can't now turn around and say it was to put an end to Viola's hopes and that I have no plans to marry at all. That would just make me look like a hypocritical scoundrel."Violet asked, "Then tell me, if you were genuinely thinking of getting married, would you consider Ms. Young?""My dear godsister, how could I possibly be worthy of her?" Thomas repeated his answer, then added, "Honestly, I don't know her well. I know she has a great reputation, but she's at least ten years younger than I am, and she would be my second wife. I can't put her through that.""She's happy to accept that," Violet countered.Thomas chuckled. "How could she genuinely be happy? It's just a young girl's fleeting fantasy. As His Highness said, I should come up with a good excuse to decline gracefully, so as not to embarrass the Young family or the girl herself. Violet, you're clever—why don't you help me think of s
In the end, Jacob thought up an excuse. He mentioned that they had spoken to Thomas. With no official appointment from the court yet, Thomas didn't even know where he would be dispatched. Rosalind was the treasured granddaughter of Trevor, and she would be expected to follow him to the borders if they were to marry, potentially spending three to five years away from the capital without a visit.Rosalind was a person of utmost purity and devotion. How could she bear to leave her family and endure hardship in some remote outpost?Everyone agreed that this reasoning was compelling. Rosalind was exceptionally devoted to her grandparents, who were now elderly. There was simply no way she could leave the capital and them behind.Since Rafael was to return to the Supreme Court the next day, Carissa and Violet decided to visit Trevor's residence.Rosalind came out to greet them, dressed in a pale yellow blouse paired with a matching pleated skirt. The skirt was intricately embroidered with
Rosalind threw herself into her grandmother's embrace, resting there for a while before finally lifting her head. Her eyes were red, but they sparkled brightly, as if everything she said came straight from her heart.Carissa and Violet exchanged glances, both sensing something a bit strange.But they were there to encourage Rosalind to let go of Thomas, so they decided not to say anything further regarding the matter.After leaving Trevor's residence, the two women returned home and sent someone to inform Thomas of the outcome. Originally, Carissa intended to only relay the news. But after thinking it over, she asked Violet to go see him in person and share everything Rosalind had said.Though she might be a bit slow when it came to matters of the heart, Carissa could still see the discomfort Rosalind felt after making her rapid decision.Her feelings for Thomas didn't seem to stem from a fleeting infatuation. They must have had some connection in the past, right?Yet, that didn'
Viola was frozen in shock.She had never seen Zoey lose control like this. Zoey had always been composed and steady, unflappable in the face of crises, able to handle even the gravest situations with ease. But now, she seemed like a madwoman."Do you see clearly now? This is how everyone sees you—crazy and obsessed, disregarding your status, ignoring decorum, and showing no shame. You don't even care about your basic dignity."Zoey grasped Viola's hand tightly. "Let's go. You wanted to see Mother, right? Let's go and drive her to her grave with anger. You can then take your own life to atone for your sins, and this household will finally have peace."Viola shrank back in terror, her eyes wide as she stared at Zoey. She gasped for breath, shaking her head. No, she wasn't like this—she wasn't this mad! "Zoey, I don't want to go anymore! I won't!"Jane quickly helped Zoey to sit down. Tears were streaming down Zoey's face as she reflected on her time in the Prince family. She h
Carissa had known for some time that Barrett had lost an arm while saving Wyatt. Cindy had mentioned it in a letter—not intentionally, but while talking about the Sullivan family's situation and the battle, it came up briefly.When Carissa read it, she didn't dwell on the matter, nor did she mention it in her reply.In the chaos of war, it was often impossible to distinguish who saved whom.She naturally wished for every soldier to return home whole and unharmed, but war was brutal and unrelenting. Blood and sacrifice were inevitable.While Carissa had acknowledged Barrett's actions, Salvador had only recently learned of them. The latest victory report from Victory Pass detailed Barrett's courageous efforts—how he had fought valiantly, saved lives, and lost an arm in the process.The earlier reports that came back on horseback had contained only critical updates on the battle's progress, with no mention of individual achievements. Only the detailed victory reports included a list
Salvador now regularly summoned Carissa to the royal study to discuss military matters, granting her a seat at the table where battle strategies were planned and debated. Her place in these discussions was earned by leading the Mystic Army to crush the rebels.It was a position forged in blood and sweat, with no one daring to challenge her right to it.The reports that shaped their discussions came from Victory Pass and the Southern Frontier. These dispatches provided the foundation for the court's analysis of the situation, guiding decisions on logistical support and strategies.Yet, even when strategies were drafted, Salvador refrained from issuing direct commands. Instead, he offered suggestions, a gesture that showed his trust in Rafael and the Sullivan family—though that trust extended only as far as their abilities on the battlefield.With winter approaching, the soldiers needed winter clothing and more weapons. Most of their discussions revolved around supplies.Leroy and V
The garden at Tranquil Palace wasn't small, but it couldn't be compared to the royal garden.If one took their time strolling along, admiring the flowers, or stood still to enjoy the view for a while, one could easily spend a good portion of the afternoon. But Carissa was accustomed to walking briskly. Flowers didn't require her lingering attention—she could glance at them and move on, seeing little difference between one bloom and the next.She had seen fields upon fields of flowers, all of which had left a lasting impression on her. These meticulously tended peonies in their pots, though, hardly stirred any great interest.By the time they finished their walk, some of the other ladies hadn't even finished their coffee. Just as Jeanette began to speak of Skye Embroidery, they found themselves back at the main hall of Tranquil Palace.Jeanette forced a smile. "Shall we go inside and congratulate Lady Sylvia?"Carissa shook her head. "I have matters to attend to, so I'll have to
When Sylvia moved to her new residence, all the concubines sent gifts. The royal relatives, upon hearing the news, hurried to send their congratulations as well.As for what to send, other households usually left the decision to the lady of the house. But at Hell Monarch Estate, the ones in charge were Jacob and Luke.They searched through the storerooms, but nothing seemed quite right. Either the items were too expensive, or they were just simple gold, silver, or jewels. Even the golden vases seemed too small and trivial.As for the larger items, such as coral trees or folding screens, Jacob wasn't inclined to part with them. The coral tree, in particular, was rare. The one in the estate had been a wedding gift from the Pathfinders Guild when Carissa married.In the end, their eyes landed on the most abundant item in the storeroom—Kyle's orchid paintings.This would certainly make a strong impression—expensive and elegant, yet not unique to the estate. If it wasn't enough, snow w
Among the harem, Kylie was most wary of Sylvia and Grace. Sylvia was caring for Cecil, while Grace was caring for Caden, the second prince.Cecil was not Sylvia's biological son and was still very young, so Kylie need not worry too much. But Sylvia had once been arrogant, with an impressive family background and a sharp aptitude for power games.In the past year, Sylvia had softened somewhat, co-managing the affairs of the harem with Grace. She had learned how to win hearts and minds, and her support for Skye Embroidery and Gracewood Women's Academy had earned her some reputation among the common folk.In contrast, Grace was far more restrained. She co-managed the harem with Sylvia and would occasionally seek Kylie's opinion, genuinely treating her with respect due to her being the queen.But Caden, a sharp and well-mannered boy, was Salvador's and Victoria's favorite.If the position of Crown Prince were to be decided now, it would naturally fall to Connor. But once the princes g
Kylie had yet to remove her hairpins, and her makeup was still untouched, her face brimming with quiet anticipation.Earlier that day, a message had arrived from the court, announcing that the king would visit the harem tonight. She had waited for hours, but had heard no news that he had sent for any concubines. In her heart, she felt a surge of joy. If no summons had come, it meant he would be visiting her chambers."Lydia, go and see if His Majesty has arrived yet," she urged once again, her third time asking that evening.Lydia was standing to the side. She smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please be patient. If His Majesty was coming, he would surely send word beforehand so you can prepare to receive him.""Yes, you're right," Kylie sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her temple. "It's been so long since His Majesty visited my palace that I nearly forgot how it goes." Her smile was soft and alluring. "We are husband and wife, after all. What couple do not have thei
In the royal study, the braziers still hadn't been lit, and the cold crept in like a quiet intruder, spreading its chill across the room.The reports had been reviewed and signed long ago, yet Salvador lingered, his hand resting idly on the pile of documents. His gaze was fixed on the dim flickering of the lamp's flame, his mind adrift.He read the letter Rafael had written to Carissa, filled with endless longing and heartfelt emotions. It was as if they had just gotten married, and they were deeply in love and inseparable.This wasn't the first time Salvador had read their letters. While there had been expressions of longing in the past, none were as bold and reckless as this.Such words would feel awkward to say out loud, let alone write down. Salvador thought his younger brother's actions were inappropriate and too careless.There were far better ways to win a woman's affection—why resort to this?And yet, despite his disapproval, something within him stirred, like a stone t
Balin entered the city with just a dozen men. They were all strong and sturdy, with curved blades at their waists, looking fierce and intimidating.But when they sat down to eat and drink, their tanned faces broke into wide, radiant smiles.Balin was in his fifties, with skin as dark and shining as his men's, his eyes sharp and intelligent. He was a man of great wisdom and was meticulous in his thinking. In other words, he remained cautious and never fully trusted the Hell Monarch.His one demand was simple: this would be a one-time alliance. After driving back the Sandorians, the Southern Frontier Army was to withdraw from the grasslands swiftly. No one was to step foot in the heart of the grasslands again without permission.Rafael agreed, and the treaty was signed immediately.Once the agreement was made, they didn't linger any longer than necessary and left.The grassland tribes held little fondness for Starhaven, as the endless warfare often spilled over into their territori
After the lively wedding banquet, Carissa returned to Hell Monarch Estate, only to be struck by an unexpected chill in Orchid Hall. Her thoughts turned to Rafael, who was far away in the Southern Frontier. She hadn't counted the days since they had parted, but it felt like an eternity.She was about to head out to the Glimmering Tower as usual to see Adrian, but then she remembered that he had returned to Meadow Ridge.A pang of emptiness settled in her chest.She thought back to how Rosalind had seemed tonight. Carissa realized that when a woman got married, her heart was filled with so much joy, excitement, and bashfulness. The happiness just radiated from Rosalind.Carissa thought back to her own two weddings—both had been too calm and quiet.Lulu helped remove her makeup and was about to prepare a bath, but Carissa stopped her, pulling her down to sit beside her instead."Lulu, I've mentioned before that we need to talk about your marriage. Have you thought about anyone in