Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

After Margaret took her leave, Helen hurried into the sitting hall.

However, she only found Carissa sitting alone, leisurely sipping coffee, her expression contemplative.

Helen frowned and asked, "Wasn't Madam Winchester supposed to be here? I rushed over, thinking I'd get to have a chat with her."

Carissa rose and curtsied gracefully. "Mother, Madam Winchester just left a short while ago."

"She's gone?" Helen said, out of breath, sinking into a chair. "Wasn't she here to talk to me?"

Her disappointment was evident. She thought Margaret had been here to see her. Helen often envied Eleanor, who was always surrounded by visitors from high society.

"She was here for you as well," Carissa explained gently. "But when she heard you were still recovering from last night's festivities, she didn't want to disturb you and left early."

With just one glance at Helen's expression, Carissa could tell what was on her mind. Her mother-in-law's thoughts were never hard to guess.

"Overindulging in wine has its consequences," Helen muttered, her thoughts turning to her son's outburst the previous night. She glanced at Carissa carefully, and asked, "Did Rafael give you a hard time last night?"

Carissa cleared her throat lightly and answered, "No, he just said a few words to me, and that was it."

Helen could tell

knew her son better

but when something truly angered him, a few words wouldn't smooth things over. She suspected Carissa had endured much more of his temper than

trying

softened at the thought. "I know you're in charge of the inner courtyard, and matters like taking concubines should be your decision. But if he doesn't like it, don't bring it up again. It'll only provoke

before leaving for court: "If I didn't have to attend court today, you wouldn't have been able to get out

Carissa avoiding her gaze, Helen sighed and called out, "Gillian, instruct the kitchen to prepare some royal jelly for the princess consort. She needs to recuperate." "Understood, my lady," Gillian replied before excusing

Serena, and

before and hadn't noticed all the details, she

the sake of

I'd allow her through the door! A little thing like her, with a hundred schemes in her head? People like that have no

had always been wary of overly scheming people. She knew she couldn't outmaneuver them, so she

they'll be crushed one by one. She

thought about it. The

with countless rules. It wasn't easy even for a legitimate wife

would be tough for Serena