Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 196

However, Helen had been invited, Although she didn't want to come, she couldn't bear the thought of what stories might be spun about her if she stayed away.

So, she gritted her teeth and showed up.

When she heard the gossip out Carissa, she was enraged.

Fortunately, no one knew that this woman was about to marry Rafael.

If they did, and if Eleanor herself were to lead in making fun of her, Helen would have felt utterly humiliated.

Helen sat to one side, deliberately ignored by Eleanor. Helen had no mind for conversation.

It was Eleanor's daughter, Jessica, who saw Helen and smiled. "Oh, you've come too, Aunt Helen? What gift did you bring for my mother?

Jessica's question, directed only at Helen, clearly aimed to make her uncomfortable.

Helen had expected to be challenged over this gift. Reluctantly, she said, "I heard you're a devout Christian, Your Highness, so I brought a finely crafted gold cross as a gift. Please accept it."

She signaled Gillian to present the gift to Eleanor. Eleanor took one glance, and said indifferently, "Though I already have several of these gold crosses, I appreciate your kind gesture. I will accept it." Helen was nearly driven to rage by Eleanor's haughty attitude. She rolled her eyes, thinking that if Eleanor looked down on the gift, she shouldn't have accepted it.

not speak her mind. When it came to

of status, after the late king's passing, Helen-once favored was how

the palace, she felt constrained outside, fully aware of her son's indifference towards her. It it weren't for Salvador's intervention allowing her

respect toward Helen was her greatest sorrow.

never sought

was the queen dowager, she was still only an honored concubine, which was below the rank of noble concubines like Dakota and Josephine. So,

live with Rafael, Helen. It must be a touching reunion of mother and son.

achievements and, by extension, Helen could also share in

respectful, and insisted on living with me. I thought it best to help manage the household. After all, with the lands, estates, and

and smoothed the crimson skirt she wore, her eyes narrowing

he's so devoted, why hasn't he asked

He

from a distinguished family. Also, your elder sister is the queen dowager. Now that Rafael has achieved such a remarkable feat by reclaiming the Southern Frontier, wouldn't it be easy for him to speak a word in the king's and the queen dowager's presence to elevate your rank to that of

woman was clearly up to no good-the remark was

the failure as a mother

your own son

regard," Eleanor said with a

not openly criticize Helen, but stifled their laughter

It fueled Helen's fury.

though she knew she would be at a disadvantage, she was about to