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.

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trouble catching her breath. "Your Highness,

for many years. Since she won the money, you naturally deserve a portion of it," Carissa said with a

shot Carissa a sidelong

you giving her this? She has no worries about food and clothing. As long as she's by my side, I'll provide for her in her old age. It's dangerous for her to have so much money on

Carissa, and

covered, but beyond the regular stipend from the palace, Helen probably didn't offer much additional reward. It wasn't that Helen was harsh, but rather, she treated Gillian as one of her

indifferent to their

pocketed the rest of the banknotes, thinking that, for now, it would be fine if Helen continued to see her as an

remain an outsider than to be treated like one of her own,

Gillian received the banknote worth a hundred silver coins, she stared at it with wide-eyed amazement as if she

ever

have always treated me generously and never been lacking," Gillian said with

little extra money on

a time when Helen

window, turning her eyes away

Helen's feelings toward Carissa had changed