Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Helen remarked, "That young lady from the Prince family is rather pitiable, though."

Violet scoffed. "Pitiable? Hardly! They're all cut from the same cloth. You might not know this, but when Cari married the marshal, Viola's marriage was also on the same day. She tried to overshadow Cari at every turn, and even told her maids that Cari's dowry was so little. The look on her face when others came to add to Cari's trousseau was quite something."

"Is that true? How do you know?" Helen asked.

"Of course, it's from my sources. The Prince family's management isn't great. They can't control their servants' mouths. Viola's bitterness towards Cari is quite evident," Violet said with a touch of pride. It turned out that Winona's people were indeed very useful.

Carissa recalled her two meetings with Viola. The first time was uneventful, but by the second meeting, she had sensed hostility.

"We don't have to deal with her anyway. Let her be angry," she said.

"She's ungrateful," Helen spat in disdain.

She thought of how her son's military power had been taken by the Prince family, and added, "To say she's pitiable is to overlook that every pitiful person has their own faults. Her entire family isn't worth much, and they even took my son's military authority..."

"Mom!" Rafael's expression darkened immediately. "What are you saying?"

Helen was startled and quickly grasped Carissa's arm, looking like an aggrieved kitten. She was just trying to show maternal concern! She didn't understand why Rafael was being so harsh.

Carissa said, "Mother, such talk is inappropriate, even within the estate. It was the king's decision."

Helen nodded. "I understand."

tapped Rafael's arm. "Don't speak

had been too

Helen said, "You shouldn't speak loudly to your mother.

glanced at Carissa, paused, then said, "I'll be more

decided to skip finishing her coffee

darkened, the weather wasn't too cold, and the

couple walked hand in hand through the

followed a princess consort's rites. In death, she was granted the honor she deserved

to the freezing rain, Avis' funeral had taken place not long ago. Neither Carissa nor Rafael had attended. They had sent Jacob in their

felt a pang of sadness.

hand. "At least you were

Carissa lowered her head,

Randall truly mourned Aunt Avis. He was the sincerest in his grief at the funeral, while Sabrina and Stephanie only managed to squeeze out a few tears to put on a

recalled the faces of

When they heard of their mother's death in Hell Monarch Estate, they seemed indifferent, as

their hearts long

she said, "I've sent a notice to

want me to