Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Eleanor turned to Helen with a look of confusion.

"What is this about? Pearls and bets? Wasn't last night just a feast? When did you take any of her dowry? This simply won't do! Dowries are the private property of the daughter-in-law. You cannot take them, even in jest."

Helen was taken aback.

Over her years of interacting with Eleanor, Helen had suspected that Eleanor might not give up the three thousand silver coins. Even so, Helen had held onto a sliver of hope and thought that Eleanor, being a person of pride, would honor the bet simply to preserve her dignity.

Eleanor's complete denial of both the pearls and the bet was beyond Helen's expectations.

Dumbfounded, Helen instinctively glanced at Gillian, who was shivering with a reddened face, trying to shield herself with her sleeve and desperately stifling her runny nose.

Helen turned back to Carissa, who remained calm and composed, as if she had anticipated this outcome all along.

Helen was unwilling to be belittled by Carissa, but was even more enraged by Eleanor's shamelessness.

Frustrated, she snapped, "How can you say such things? Last night, I clearly gave you the pearls! You said that if she didn't pursue it, you would return the pearls to me and also give me three thousand silver coins. How can you go back on your word?"

take your daughter-in-law's dowry?" Eleanor's expression darkened as she retorted, "Go ask around-does anyone believe I would do such a

latter's anger. Now panicking, she instinctively blurted out, "Then... then, we should go back

rolled her eyes in exasperation. Returning meant they

Carissa decided to play along with her mother-in-law's

"Alright, then,

her coffee, and shot a

pacified? It certainly

to

placate her would be enough. Helen

of unease when

Carissa really that obedient? If the pearls were gone and the three thousand

it was better than having a

how could Eleanor deny it? Helen

the Northwatch Estate to visit my family. I'll mention this matter to my master. After all, the people from the various guilds are still around. I need to explain how my mother-in-law took the pearls and the bet she made with Grand Princess Eleanor, just in case the numbers don't match up later and