Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Carissa blinked, unable to believe her ears.

She looked at the two thousand silver coins in banknotes that had been handed to her, feeling a mix of astonishment and disbelief.

Wow, Helen really was generous with her money. It seemed so easy for her to give it out.

Carissa could see Helen was truly becoming a gullible fool.

No, she already was a fool.

"Have you finally seen Eleanor's true colors, Mother?" Carissa asked with a smile, her tone considerably softer.

Helen's face darkened. "Do you think I'm blind? Even after all this, how can I not have figured her out?"

"I saw you speaking to her so politely, and thought maybe you were still deceived by her," Carissa replied.

Helen snapped, "How can I not speak politely? One of us has to be strict and tough, while the other has to be soft and accommodating. We can't really tear down all the pretenses we have with her. She's on good terms with most of the noblewomen. If she twists things around and tarnishes my reputation, won't I be humiliated? You're different-you're fearless and lack awareness!"

Carissa remained silent, counting the banknotes. Each banknote was worth one hundred silver coins. She casually handed one to Gillian.

your share

eyes widened, and she seemed to have trouble catching her breath. "Your Highness,

money, you naturally deserve a portion of it," Carissa

Carissa a

my side, I'll provide for her in her

thanked Carissa, and took the

but beyond the regular stipend from the palace, Helen probably didn't offer much additional reward. It wasn't that Helen was harsh,

were like that-kind to outsiders but indifferent to their own, sometimes even pinching pennies from their own

the banknotes, thinking that, for now, it would be fine if Helen

be treated like one of

Gillian received the banknote worth a hundred silver coins, she stared at it with wide-eyed amazement as if she had never seen such a

Have you ever lacked anything in these

treated me generously and never

want a little extra money

a grateful glance at Carissa. She resolved that if there were ever a time when Helen was displeased with Carissa, she

carriage window, turning her eyes away from Carissa and maintaining her usual disdainful

Helen's feelings toward Carissa had changed