Meanwhile, Barrett took decisive action and prepared to sell off several servants. The Warren family was on the brink of collapse. His eldest brother had lost his position, the second branch of their family had split off, and it was uncertain when Barrett himself would be reinstated.The only option left was to cut back wherever possible.Typically, noble families avoided selling off their servants. There were always unsavory secrets lurking within the estate. It was one thing if the servants were sold to a good household, but if they ended up with a cruel family, they would surely harbor resentment and spill all the dirty secrets when they could.So, noble families were usually cautious about such actions.But what secrets did the Warren family still have that weren't already known? Barrett no longer cared. The vilest curses were already on the lips of the townsfolk every day. What more could he fear?He had never understood Amelia until he truly took over her position. Now, he
"Of course I'm a man!" Davis replied. "But while men can act recklessly—taking multiple wives, passing on their lineage, and relying on their wives to care for them even when they're afflicted with illness—there's no chaos in the world. So, why is it that when a woman is cast off and finds a place to be sheltered, it somehow leads to disorder?"Why are you so afraid of giving women another chance at life? No one wants to take that step unless they have no choice. Do you all wish to force them into such a position? If not, then what is it that frightens you?"Davis had remained silent until then, but once he spoke, he did so with purpose, having been instructed by his family to lend unwavering support to Rafael.Carissa listened quietly from her seat in court, but didn't speak. As a woman, the backlash would be even stronger if she spoke on behalf of women. After all, what someone chose to do or say was often influenced by personal interests or gains.No matter how eloquent Carissa
Carissa's voice rang clear, neither too loud nor too soft, ensuring that everyone in the hall could hear her."Perhaps some of you believe that Madam Amelia's death is trivial, but what if she were your sister, daughter, or relative? Would you be able to empathize a little more? After all, everyone here has studied the teachings of the sages, and you're all compassionate toward the elderly and the weak. Many women are divorced because of serious illness or infertility. They were innocent, to begin with."Carissa sighed, her expression heavy with sorrow."A woman's life is still a life. Are we truly in a world that seeks to exterminate them?"What if she were your sister, daughter, or relative?Many people scoffed inwardly at Carissa's words. Yet, her mention of the teachings of the sages cast a moral shackle on them. How could they argue against that? Any rebuttal would make them seem unreasonable, as if they were out to destroy women completely.If these words had come from a ma
The next day, the young couple set out. Rafael pretended to ask Violet if she wanted to join them.Violet shot him a puzzled glance. He had already said last night that he was taking Carissa out for the day. He also specifically said they would be going alone and leaving everyone behind, even Dylan. Wasn't it a bit fake to ask her now?Even if Rafael hadn't mentioned it, Violet wouldn't have gone. She had her hands full dealing with the embroidery workshop, which was still under renovation. It made sense for her to keep an eye on things.Besides, if her supervision wasn't needed, she could always accompany Helen out to a coffeehouse and indulge in some shopping and dining. After all, there were lovely places like Glimmering Tower and The Golden Tower to explore.Why venture out into the cold and face the biting mountain winds when there was so much to enjoy right here?At Glimmering Tower, Rafael ordered a selection of dishes. They were all staple dishes and nothing extravagant, b
The further they ascended the mountain, the more Rafael felt that something was off.There were no vibrant mountain flowers or rushing streams as Thomas had described—only bare trees and endless stretches of white snow. At this time of year, the waterfalls had all but disappeared, leaving behind the starkness of early winter.It wasn't that the snow wasn't beautiful. After spending so long at the Southern Frontier, the prince had grown weary of snow. If only there were flowing water and winter blooms to complement the landscape, it would have made all the difference.But there was nothing—not a single orchid to be found. It was almost laughable.However, to the north of Richspire Peak, there was a steep slope covered in unblemished snow, free of obstacles. It was a perfect spot for sledding and skiing.Changing his approach, Rafael led Carissa with a burst of energy, using his Lightfoot Skill to dash across to the northern slope. Reaching the peak, he caught his breath and turned
It was both frustrating and amusing.Carissa supported the limping Rafael as they slowly made their way down the mountain. His hair was a mess, sticking up in a strange, wet clump after hitting the snow, creating an odd, wild look.His face was a patchwork of bruises—blue, purple, and red. The red came from a cut that had bled; luckily, the wounds were shallow and, combined with the cold, had stopped bleeding quickly. A lump the size of an egg swelled on his forehead, a sight that was both pitiful and funny.Fighting, strategizing, and governing were all his strengths, but games like this? He was utterly lost. Sliding down the slope had turned into a comical disaster.Who knew skiing could be so hazardous?Everyone knew not to underestimate water, but mountains could be just as treacherous—especially mountains that only got covered with snow during the coldest days of winter, hiding sharp rocks just beneath the surface. The terrain here was nothing like the Southern Frontier, and
After Jacob had sent Dylan off to sweep the courtyard as punishment, Livius from Arcane Sanctum arrived. He was Sebastian's sixth apprentice—a young, exceptionally skilled physician. He usually stayed at Arcane Sanctum and seldom made house calls.Since Rafael was injured, Sebastian had specifically dispatched Livius to conduct a thorough examination to ensure that nothing vital had been harmed. Rafael was young and still without children. On top of that, he was taking contraceptive medication. How could Sebastian not be worried for him?As Helen and Violet returned from shopping, they heard the news about Rafael's injury, prompting Helen to hurry over.Livius was already treating the prince when Carissa noticed Helen's arrival and quickly greeted the older woman."Hello, Mother."Helen responded with a brief acknowledgment, her eyes immediately searching for her son. Rafael hadn't had a chance to bathe after returning home, so his hair remained tousled. Upon seeing his bruised fa
Carissa hurried back inside, soothing Helen and sending her on her way.Even after stepping outside, Helen continued, "It's true! You're married now, so what's there to be shy about? When you were younger, you used to tell me everything! I still remember the time a mosquito bit you down there, and you stripped off your pants so I could apply medicine…""Mom!" Rafael's roar echoed through the room.Carissa quickly called for Violet to take over leading Helen away, and instructed Qiana and Sydney to prepare hot water. Carissa would wash Rafael's hair herself.Since he couldn't soak in the hot springs, he sat in the bath chamber, leaning forward as Carissa washed his hair while trying to avoid getting his feet wet. Though he felt a bit useless, the sensation of her fingers massaging his scalp and working through his hair brought a warm, sweet happiness amid the embarrassment.He comforted himself with the thought that if it weren't for this injury, he wouldn't be receiving such speci
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
Thomas and Rosalind's wedding had been postponed time and time again, but finally, they found a favorable day to celebrate. The event wasn't extravagant, but as the granddaughter of the royal chancellor, it still carried the necessary dignity.Victoria led the way, and the other palace ladies followed suit, each offering generous gifts to Rosalind for her trousseau. The students of Gracewood Women's Academy also rallied to show their support, presenting Rosalind with handmade wedding gifts. Most of the girls at the academy came from humble backgrounds. Though their gifts weren't costly, the thought and effort they put into embroidering and crafting the items was the most meaningful part.Rosalind's wedding dress had been commissioned long in advance from Camila. The gown had previously been displayed in Skye Embroidery, where it had caught the eye of many young women. They all dreamed of wearing such a beautiful dress for their own weddings. Camila was already well-known, but now
Salvador summoned Eustace to the palace for an audience.Eustace had come prepared. Though he had led his bodyguards and the merchant convoys to quell the unrest, the connection between the Spencer family's collateral branch and Nicholas couldn't be easily dismissed. Even if Salvador publicly declared their merits balanced with their faults, it was not something that could be swept aside without consequence.However, Salvador's attitude towards Eustace was surprisingly warm. The former even praised him for his loyalty to the throne and his patriotic spirit, noting that he resembled his late father in his unwavering commitment. The previous head of the Spencer family had been generous to the court, contributing substantial funds during times of war.Eustace understood the underlying message and quickly offered, "With both the Southern Frontier and Victory Pass embroiled in battle, the Spencer family is willing to contribute in whatever small way we can. We will donate 300,000 silve
Adrian had been in the capital for some time now. In the past, he had been consumed with his studies on sacred firearms, leaving little room for anything else. But now, with some free time, he used the excuse of being unable to let go of the business in the city to extend his stay.The truth was, he was concerned for Carissa.His interest in sacred firearms had begun with his trip to Nerathia to study their methods. He had done it for the Southern Frontier, then Hector, and ultimately, for Rafael and Carissa.As a mentor, Adrian knew that they each had their own paths to walk. He couldn't prevent them from forging their own futures, but he could help them however he could and act as their support.Adrian often claimed he wasn't cut out to be a teacher. But the truth was, his apprentices were exceptional. Each one of them was a person of great character. None of them needed his constant concern—except for Carissa.She had always been wild and carefree. But even so, she had mast
As Nicholas was paraded through the streets, the weight of his downfall crushed him entirely. His sanity fractured and he screamed curses at the people, accusing them of ignorance and foolishness. He raged at the masses, claiming they had been deceived by the court, that they had mistaken a foolish king for a wise ruler. He claimed that only he was the true sovereign—the one destined to bring justice and prosperity.His hoarse cries were drowned out by the roar of the crowd. The people shouted for his death, calling for him to be torn apart. They said that the execution by Torso Cleaving was far too merciful. They demanded he be cut into pieces and slowly tortured to death, as punishment for his evil deeds.On the other hand, Yuvan stayed silent the whole time. Inside, he was filled with resentment and hatred for Nicholas. He believed that if Nicholas hadn't turned his people against him, he could have succeeded.Nicholas was like a poisonous snake, hiding in the shadows. When Yuv
Now that everyone had been gathered, the long-awaited reckoning could finally begin.After thorough investigations by the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the Capital Guard, it was confirmed that Yuvan, Nicholas, and his associates were indeed guilty of treason.The charges were indisputable. After such a long delay, it was time to list all their crimes for the world to see.Yuvan's entire family—except for Randall, who had provided valuable information—was sent to Astral Prison. However, Randall was also removed from the royal registry. He remained in his post at the Supreme Court, still serving as warden. Despite that, it was clear that any prospects for promotion were now out of reach for the next ten years.Matthew had ordered Randall to take a temporary leave, telling him to stay away from Astral Prison and reflect quietly at home while the matter was sorted.Matthew thought Randall was a bit slow, but at least the latter was honest and willing t
Clifford's eyes gleamed with a sharp light. "Very well. Let's hear some of your self-righteous words."Salvador, ever the suspicious soul, had always been wary of the Hell Monarch's household. Even if Carissa hadn't risen for women's rights, Salvador would still remain cautious of her.How could Carissa not know Clifford's intentions? From the moment he asked, she knew it was a trap.Before she could respond, Clifford sneered and added, "You can always start by flattering King Salvador. Praise him for how he treats women under his rule. As long as your conscience is clear, feel free to do so."Carissa was infuriated, but she wasn't willing to be baited. She met his mocking, challenging gaze. "Don't make assumptions. That's not the same thing at all. You think people are ignorant and narrow-minded as they can't understand your preferences, so you resort to extreme measures to gain their approval. But that's your personal problem. You can't speak for others like you, and you're not