Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

This was the first banquet Carissa would be organizing since marrying into the royal family.

If it were poorly executed, it could become a laughingstock, especially given how Helen was so concerned about her own birthday banquet. Carissa was certain her mother-in-law wouldn't want any embarrassment to mar the celebration.

Thus, Carissa personally consulted Helen on whether there were any essential guests who needed to be invited.

Helen pretended to ponder for a moment before saying, "If Dakota and Josephine can come out of the palace, then invite them. As for the others, you can decide."

Carissa knew that these two women were indeed necessary guests, especially Dakota.

It was curious, though. The concubines favored by the late king, Sigmund, weren't those two, but rather the deceased Shelby and Wanda. So, why had Helen ended up at odds with Dakota and Josephine? The marriage alliance with the Quinton family had improved Helen's relationship with Josephine, but her interactions with Dakota remained strained.

Carissa couldn't help but ask, "Did Dakota ever offend you?"

Helen snorted. "Don't be fooled by her appearance. She seems straightforward, but she's actually quite scheming. I was frequently fooled by her when the late king was still alive, and often scolded by him for it."

She was the type to be easily provoked by a bit of manipulation-she could be easily defeated by even the smallest amount of

"And Josephine?" Carissa asked.

good at playing the victim. Before the late king passed away, she was just a low-ranking concubine. After his death, when the new king took the throne and the Quinton family's

nor noble concubines have any real power. It's

same, her deep-seated jealousy was evident. Despite her son's victory at the Southern Frontier, Salvador hadn't offered to elevate her status, and she couldn't propose it herself, as it would show how much

noticed that Eleanor and the Marquis of Ironridge's family were included, as well as

family, and some noble families, such as the Farrell family, the Quinton family, the Earl

and above were invited too, and the Klein family

the invitations according to this list and send them

slightly. "Understood. I will prepare

"Thank you, Jacob."

be cautious with staffing. We vetted every servant before they were hired. However, His Highness has been away on the battlefield for years, and both Luke and I have been busy with administration and other tasks. Some staff may have formed