With her maid in tow, Amelia arrived at Arcane Sanctum and quickly inquired about the price of the Evergreen Pills. They were far from cheap—five silver coins each, and she needed eight of them. In the frigid weather, she felt the sweat on her forehead and struggled to hold back tears, unable to make a decision.The shop assistants at Arcane Sanctum recognized her by now and were aware of her situation.One of them, Paul, spoke up, "Madam Amelia, these Evergreen Pills are intended for women who are weak and anemic after childbirth. If you're looking to replenish energy and blood, you can brew the medicine yourself, which is much cheaper. Besides, one pill is usually sufficient for childbirth. There's no need to buy so many. It's not like eight women are giving birth at the same time."Wiping away her tears, Amelia hurriedly asked, "One is enough? Really?""Absolutely. If you're still worried, you could buy two. The pill isn't a guarantee for easy childbirth. It's mainly for those w
Amelia stared wide-eyed at Rebecca's furious and twisted face. The words "divorce" and "get out" left her feeling dazed and empty-headed. Confused and helpless, Amelia slowly stood up and began to walk out."Come back here! I'm not done yelling at you! How dare you? How dare you?! Asking your mother-in-law to sell her things—you have no shame, you filthy wretch! You dirty little thing!" Rebecca shouted, her rage intensifying as she saw Amelia trying to leave. "Come back here! Someone grab her!"Perhaps it was due to Amelia's trembling body and unsteady steps that resembled a fragile vase on the verge of shattering, but no one dared to physically restrain her.Instead, they urged, "Madam Amelia, please wait!"It was as if Amelia couldn't hear them. She continued walking, step by step, back toward her own courtyard. However, at the end of the corridor, she caught sight of Viola, heavily pregnant and supported by Poppy.Instinctively, Amelia took a step back, remembering how Viola ha
The last flicker of hope in Amelia's heart vanished.The exhausting days and nights pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe. Her harsh mother-in-law and sister-in-law, the inaction of the men, and that wicked woman, Aurora, who occasionally emerged from her hiding place in Blessed Haven to snatch things away—it all added up.This house no longer felt like a home. It was a cage.Dragged to Rebecca's chamber, Amelia was forced to kneel beside the bed. She looked up blankly at her father-in-law and Barrett, both wearing expressions of blame. Her gaze shifted to her husband, whose eyes burned with fury.He slapped Amelia hard, then turned to his mom and said, "Mom, please calm down. I've already taught her a lesson. She won't dare do that again."Seeing her son's devotion, Rebecca finally relented, "Fine. She's not from a prominent family, so it's not surprising that she's a bit stingy and shabby in her ways."Amelia's cheek throbbed with pain, but it was nothing compared to t
Hearing Charlotte's remarks, Tara concluded that Amelia was likely not with that side of the family and returned to report to her mistress.Recalling the events from the previous day, Rebecca couldn't help but sneer. "It's probably because of what happened last night that she's feeling defiant. I've spoiled her too much. Forget about her. Where can she possibly go?"Her family's no longer in the capital. Her dad's been stuck in a minor post out of town for so long that he hasn't been able to come back. And even if he does return, does she really think she can make a scene with her stepmother around?"Tara grew a bit concerned. "Shouldn't we send someone to look for her? Madam Amelia rarely goes out without saying anything."Rebecca's expression darkened with irritation. "No need to look for her. If I do that, she'll think too highly of herself. She was in the wrong from the start for mismanaging the household, and she even had the audacity to ask me to sell my jewelry to make ends
Previously, due to Salvador's focus on the Eleanor treason case, Carissa had not attended court. Today marked her first time in court after the case was wrapped up, so by the time Frederick arrived at Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa and Rafael had already left.As he couldn't meet with Carissa, Frederick informed Jacob about the situation.Jacob didn't dismiss the matter just because it involved the Warren family. He invited Frederick in for coffee, chatted briefly with Lily, and then sent for Violet to ask her opinion.He knew that Carissa had instructed Violet's people to keep an eye on Barrett to see if he continued his association with Yuvan. So, she might have some insights into the happenings at Valor Estate.However, when Violet arrived, she yawned and said, "I don't know. I haven't been watching Valor Estate closely. I just instructed my people to keep tabs on Yuvan's movements. I'm aware of who he's been in contact with, but I really have no idea about what's going on in the
Ivy said, "Although my mentor doesn't want to treat Madam Rebecca, he still keeps an eye on Madam Amelia since she comes in for Snowdrop Pills. Every time she comes to buy medicine, he instructs the shop assistants to ask about her situation. Madam Amelia has become familiar with them and tends to vent a bit."Yesterday, she didn't say much, but they noticed she had been crying. In the past, she would talk about how she handles everything at home and takes care of her mother-in-law. Madam Viola manages the accounts, but Madam Amelia only gets a little money trickling through her fingers. When Madam Amelia can't cover the household expenses, she has to sell or pawn her own things. It sounds like she's really been feeling the pressure."When they arrived at Lily's room, Frederick was still there. The two of them were catching up while Lulu sat nearby.Lily's complexion was not good, and upon hearing them talk about Amelia, she sighed and said, "Madam Amelia is too weak. She lacks a ba
Carissa had been Amelia's sister-in-law for a year and felt she understood the latter's character fairly well. Cowardly and timid, she was the softest person among the members of the Warren family.Carissa had some insight into the current situation at Valor Estate. Rebecca had yet to recover, Viola was pregnant and unable to attend to the older woman, and Aurora, who was practically hiding away in Blessed Haven, was even less likely to help.That left Amelia as the only person who could tend to Rebecca.When Carissa was in the Warren family, she had taken on that role herself. Though Rebecca had her demands, she didn't make things difficult for Carissa, especially since her dowry gave her a solid standing.But Amelia was in a different position altogether."Could it be that she suffered some injustice?" Carissa suggested.Violet nodded. "She's definitely facing some kind of injustice. It must be pretty severe if it drove her to run out in the middle of the night. I heard from Li
Charlotte sighed. "At first, I had no idea what was happening. I try to stay out of the main household's affairs as much as possible. I've wanted to separate from them for a long time, but have always feared that outsiders will think the Warren family is divided. So, I held back."Lately, things at Valor Estate have become chaotic. Since Viola became pregnant, she's been nominally in charge, but Amelia is still the one managing things. The only thing she needs to clear with Viola is the money she withdraws. With Rebecca's health fluctuating, Amelia has been by her side, tending to her. You know how Rebecca is—she has nothing but disdain for Amelia and opposes her in everything."Carissa nodded. "I can guess Amelia's predicament.""This morning, Amelia disappeared. They searched every corner of Valor Estate and even came to my house looking for her, insisting I was hiding her. I told them I hadn't seen her, but they didn't believe me. I had to get angry before they accepted it. I lat
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
Though Ryan had told Cecil he was going on a journey, he didn't stay long at Eldermere Keep. After just seven days, he left and made his way to the Pathfinders Guild.He had initially planned to return to the capital to seek out Claire, but soon reconsidered. Instead of troubling her, he thought it best to directly ask Winona to teach him the art of disguise.It was not difficult to learn, but to do it well—to the point where no one could tell—was another matter. Such skill could not be acquired in just a few months.The simpler form of disguise involved merely altering one's features with makeup and slight adjustments to the face. This was fine for ordinary situations, but could easily be seen through in more challenging circumstances, like on a rainy day for instance.Therefore, Ryan knew he couldn't settle for such a basic method.The more advanced form of disguise involved creating a mask as a false face. However, these masks had their own set of problems. They were thick, unco
That evening, Ryan and Clarence sat by candlelight and spoke quietly. They avoided discussing court politics as Clarence had no interest in such matters. As long as the kingdom was peaceful, that was enough for him.He was no longer the eldest prince of Starhaven, and only had himself to look after now. Everything else had faded into the past.It was better not to speak of politics; it was too sensitive a topic. In his younger years, Clarence hadn't understood why his "death" was so tied to such matters. But over the years, Sebastian had explained everything to him, bit by bit, including the risks and consequences.The bond between Clarence and Cecil was not without affection. However, to gamble with one's life and future for the sake of family might not be the wisest choice for any of them.Clarence had come to terms with it. Life had to go on; it was better to live it well today than to wonder about tomorrow."Aunt Carissa said you're no longer able to stand, but you were walking