As Carissa listened to Florence's words, the rage inside her nearly consumed her.It was the details of everything that had happened that truly shattered one's heart.Carissa fought to keep her anger in check and not let it show. She pretended to be unaffected as she listened calmly and rationally. The more Florence revealed, the more Carissa would have to use as evidence. When the time came to interrogate Eleanor, be it for the charge of treason or the crimes against those women, all of this would seal the grand princess' fate."I know there's no way Grand Princess Eleanor can escape what's coming now." Florence sighed. "But she used to be such a lively, cheerful girl. She was so noble, and she had the world at her feet. She could've had any man in the kingdom, so many of them would've lined up for her."And yet, she fell in love at first sight with General Sinclair, a mere military man. Of all people, it had to be him, who didn't even care for her... At first, all I wanted was t
Rafael and the scribe walked in from behind the partition screen. The prince first embraced Carissa before instructing someone to take Florence away.Carissa remained composed and calmly instructed, "Go to the apple tree and find that box. She noted down the origins of those women.""Understood!"The scribe left to carry out the task.As Carissa leaned against Rafael, it felt as if her heart and throat had clogged up, leaving her with an indescribable discomfort."Let's not dig any deeper," Rafael said, concern etched on his face. "Don't hold onto what she said. Your dad is blameless. It was Aunt Eleanor's own obsession that harmed both herself and others."Carissa's face had turned pale, and it took a while for her to finally find her voice again."I'm fine. I can continue the interrogation. Once Florence is better, I'll question her again. At least we now know the origins of those women. We can send someone to inform their families. There's no need for them to keep searching o
Carmen was taken aback when she saw Violet. Then she recalled that Carissa and Violet had deceived her, and it left her feeling somewhat disgruntled. Even if their actions were for the sake of the plan, deception was still deception. So, Carmen could only muster the bare minimum of politeness. "Is there something you need, Ms. Spencer?"Violet wasn't one to ignore subtle cues. Seeing that Carmen was probably upset, she asked softly, "Can I come in and talk?"Carmen stepped aside. "Please go ahead."Carmen had just acted on impulse. After all, she knew that if Carissa and Violet hadn't kept the plan from her, she would definitely have told Henry. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that her own dad would betray her.The little cabin was modest. It had a tiled roof, and one could see the entire place in one glance. A small kitchen was outside, while the interior consisted of a small hall and a single room. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the crumbling roof, clearly i
Violet was puzzled. "But why? Your mom is a daughter of the Lester family, and you're their granddaughter. Why won't they take you back?"Carmen shushed her. "Keep your voice down. My mom might hear you."Violet suggested, "Let's step outside to talk. I need to wait for Ivy anyway. She thinks you're still at Lester Estate, so let's go wait for her over there."They opened the door and stepped outside. As Violet walked a few steps away, she turned back to look. "Is this cabin really where they let you stay?"Carmen replied coolly, "It was originally rented out, but since it fell into disrepair, no one wanted to rent it anymore. They haven't fixed it and said we can stay temporarily until the case is settled. Then, they'll bring us back to the family's residence.""Do you believe that?" Violet asked."I don't. But for now, we have no other place to go. I plan to go out and look for work in a couple of days. Once I earn some money, I can find a better place.""You're going to loo
As Violet watched Carmen explode in anger, she felt an inexplicable shift within herself. Since following Carissa to the battlefield and returning to the capital to face a pile of messy issues, Violet's patience had improved considerably.In the past, Violet would have likely stormed off if Carmen had spoken to her this way. She never cared about other people's feelings and was always so headstrong, but now she wanted to be a better person.Violet could understand Carmen's anger and fear. Carmen had been used by her own family all this time and hadn't received an ounce of trust. She had viewed Henry, her mom, and her sister as her family, a united front. Yet Henry had betrayed her, and now she was being told that Celeste wanted to harm their mom.To make it worse, Carmen had to hear this from an outsider. It was only natural she wouldn't believe it.Wanting to be understanding, Violet remained calm. "Regardless of whether you believe it or not, the fact remains. Billy's testimo
Carmen's shoulders trembled as tears dripped down her cheeks.Violet didn't offer her any comfort. Instead, she turned to look down the alley.Why wasn't Ivy here yet?After a moment, Carmen, her voice thick with emotion, said, "When I brought Mom back that day, she told me in the carriage not to trust anything my sister said. I think Mom already knew about everything, but I don't understand why my sister would do that."Did Carmen finally believe Violet's words?Violet turned back to her, surprise etched on her face. "Your mom really said that to you? Then, she must know. As for why Celeste did it, your mom also probably knows. You should ask her when you get back."Just then, Ivy rode into the alley on a donkey.Violet waved her hand and called out, "Over here, Ivy!"Ivy spotted them and approached. She was a bit confused as to why they weren't waiting by Lester Estate's entrance."Why were you waiting here?""They're not living at Lester Estate anymore. They're over there,
Once they were outside, Ivy stopped hiding the truth from Carmen."I have to be honest with you now. If your mom had received treatment just a month earlier, her condition wouldn't have deteriorated this far. You should spend some time with her. Her days are numbered."Carmen felt her mind go blank. If she had any doubts about Violet's words earlier, they vanished completely now. Melanie had been in the dungeon and had received medicine, but it clearly wasn't meant to treat her illness. The household physicians in Harmony Palace were skilled. If they had truly intended to help her, she would have shown signs of improvement.But why? Why did Celeste do this?Carmen stared blankly at the prescription and the banknote as tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Ivy was accustomed to the sorrows of the world, and she could only offer a gentle reminder. "Life is full of helplessness. You must learn to be strong."Violet was about to leave after Ivy left on her donkey, but seein
Violet left, her heart heavy with both anger and sorrow. Melanie and Carmen were just a reflection of the women harmed by Eleanor. They weren't the worst off. They were still alive and had been able to leave Harmony Palace. Countless others had already turned to bones.The hatred in Violet's heart would never ease unless Eleanor was torn to a thousand pieces.-Meanwhile, Carissa remained at the Supreme Court. After Florence woke up and drank some soup, she was sent back to the interrogation room. Rafael insisted that further questioning was unnecessary, but Carissa had something to say.They were in the same interrogation room as before, but the scribe was absent, and Rafael sat hidden behind the partition screen.Carissa faced Florence, and the table stood between them.Florence's face was pale, and there wasn't any light in her eyes. There was a wry smile on her lips as she sighed. "What's the point of questioning me further? What else do you think I have to say? Do you
Having failed to convince my mother, I went to my father. However, his response was even more severe.They thought I opposed the marriage because I hadn't spent time with Phineas. They were also convinced that since the match was already being arranged, it would be best for him to take me out and build some rapport between us.I didn't want to go, but my mother's maid forced me into the carriage. The maid was also told to watch me closely to ensure I didn't speak out of turn.Phineas looked all polished up, with shiny hair and a face like he had powdered it that morning. He initially showed me some respect, but soon enough, his true nature began to show. He made crude comments about my appearance, saying that if it weren't for my looks and the fact that I was from the Spencer family, he would never have considered marrying me.His condescending attitude made me uncomfortable. If that had been the worst of it, perhaps I would have simply let it go. But on our way back, he pinched me
Startled, I quickly turned around. Not far behind me stood a man, half-hidden in the shade of a tree. He wore a simple black outfit, his figure thin and unkempt, with dark circles beneath his eyes.It was him—the scholar from the bridge who sold paintings, the one Mr. Klein had called a hopeless case, a student who had dropped out to care for a woman."You're speaking nonsense," I exclaimed, wide-eyed, a shiver running through me at the thought of his strange words. "I've never heard of any water demons here. You're just trying to trick me."Though I had no fear of death, I was uneasy at the thought of demons, particularly if they were going to trap me beneath the mud."I'm not lying to you." Cassius stepped forward, his frail frame seeming even more fragile against the breeze. "If you look around, you'll see no one is here. Why else would such a lovely place be devoid of visitors?""That's because the people who come here are not tourists. They come to pray, and they leave once t
After a while, my cousin and her maid returned to find me. I asked the maid to hand thirty copper coins to Cassius. He smiled and thanked me kindly.I thought our meeting was just a chance encounter and I would never see him again. However, to my surprise, during Grandma's birthday celebration a month later, I saw him again.Our family was hosting a grand dinner, and Leonard Klein, a renowned scholar, had come with his apprentices. And there Cassius was, standing among them.In Ebonflow, the rules for social gatherings weren't as strict as in the capital, with women being allowed to be in the front hall during a banquet. Of course, Cassius didn't recognize me. After all, I had been wearing a veil when we first met, so he had only seen my eyes.He didn't stay long. After presenting Grandma with a beautiful painting, he quickly excused himself, saying he had business to attend to at home.Once he left, Mr. Klein spoke of him with a tone of regret, explaining, "He's a clever young man
Anyone who knew me, Liana Spencer, spoke of me with scorn. Even strangers who heard my story would spit on the ground and say I had no shame.Everyone knew that running away with a man was worse than theft or murder. It was a disgrace no family could easily bear.Many asked me the same question: Did I regret it?I never regretted marrying him, but I did carry guilt in my heart. Because of me, the Spencer family's name was dragged through the mud. My brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews had a much harder time finding good matches because of my choices.As a daughter of the Spencer family, I lived in comfort from the moment I was born. I wore fine dresses, ate the best foods, and was showered with love. My parents doted on me, while my brothers spoiled me terribly.But there was something wrong with me.By the time I was fourteen, I still hadn't gotten my monthly courses. We consulted physician after physician, and I drank countless doses of bitter medicine, day and night. Yet, no
Snow fell softly in the dead of winter, blanketing Victory Pass in white. At that moment, the world seemed to have been made pure again.For years, I wore nothing but a tattered priest's robe. I carried a broken bowl and wandered from place to place, asking for food. I stopped only briefly at temples along the way to rest for a night or two and kneel before the statues to beg for forgiveness.I could have stayed at the first monastery I was sent to. Life there wasn't easy, but it wasn't so hard either. I had warm meals and shelter from the cold. But I knew if I stayed in comfort, I would never wash away my sins.Only by suffering, by staying on the road and bearing the cold, the hunger, the pain, could I find peace in my heart.And so, I came to Victory Pass.My sandals had long since fallen apart. Thick calluses had grown on my feet; I could walk barefoot over rocks and barely feel a thing. Even with every piece of clothing I owned layered over me, the winter cold still cut throug
It was during the Verdant Hunt that Connor fell out of favor with Dad, who scolded him harshly before we left the hunting grounds. Once we returned to the palace, Connor fell ill. Ryan and I were both terribly worried, but Mom was delighted.She held me close that evening, her smile sharper than usual. "After this, your father is sure to be tired of your brother."She told me I must work harder than ever, and to listen closely to the royal chancellor and my uncle."Study better than anyone. Earn their praise. And most importantly, outshine your brother," she said.My heart felt torn. Mom often spoke of the rewards that came with being crown prince, and I won't lie, I was tempted. However, those were all distant things.At the time, I was close to Connor, Ryan, and even our youngest brother, Cecil. We all got along so well. How could I possibly hate my older brother?Those thoughts tangled inside me, day after day. I lost focus. My studies slipped. I made mistakes during riding pra
Before I took the vows and entered the monastery, my name was Caden.From the time I was young, I often heard the same praise whispered around me: "This child is sharp beyond his years—clever, quick-witted, the finest of the three princes."I heard it so often that I came to believe it myself. At times, I even felt proud. But whenever I let that pride rise too high, Mom would bring me back to earth.She would look at me, her eyes soft but filled with something I couldn't quite name—pity, perhaps. And then, she would sigh and say, "What a pity you were born of my womb. If not, you might have risen above that foolish one. But fate favored him, not you."That "foolish one"—I knew well enough who she meant. I had heard her say it so many times in private, though never once in public.It puzzled me greatly as a child. Mom clearly disliked my eldest brother, Connor, more than anyone. Yet, whenever he came near, she would smile warmly and speak kindly. She would even flatter him, calling
Two childhood friends were now each giving their all on very different paths.Clarence had started with herbs, then medicine, and in time, healing became his entire world at Eldermere Keep. At first, it was merely something to pour his heart into, because he knew he would never be allowed to leave the mountain and open a medical hall of his own.But then Ryan came, and afterward, sent Clarence a letter.That letter changed everything.For the first time, Clarence began to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could go down the mountain after all. And once that hope took root, he threw himself into his studies with more energy than ever before. He barely slept, rarely left the apothecary, and sometimes forgot to eat.Because of the pain he had once endured, he focused his efforts on curing injuries and chronic pain. Of course, a good physician had to know more than one thing, so he studied every field without neglecting any.There was a fire inside him now. A quiet flame that had not bur
"Elise, must your mouth run on without end?" Carissa frowned at her daughter, who had been chattering away beside Ryan from the moment he stepped through the door.The little girl's face was flushed from the sun, her hair tangled into a messy nest that made it clear she had only just returned from playing outdoors. She hadn't stopped talking since Ryan came back from his travels, pestering him with questions about what he had seen and done.Elise turned to Carissa with wide eyes, looking up with a face so innocent it could soften stone. She truly had inherited the best features from both her parents."Mom, I haven't seen Ryan in such a long time. Every moment without him felt like an eternity. We've been apart for so long, so of course I have a lot to say to him."Carissa's frown deepened. "And who taught you to speak in such a ridiculous manner? An eternity—where did that come from?""Sage Isaac said it to Aunt Violet. He went back to Meadow Ridge for a few days and said it to her