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."

words?" Helen could tell Carissa was

son better than

be pleasant enough, but when something truly angered him, a few words wouldn't smooth things over. She suspected Carissa

girl was trying to

doesn't like it, don't bring it up again. It'll only provoke his scolding or

whispered to her earlier that morning before leaving for court: "If I didn't have to attend court today, you wouldn't have been able to

sighed and called out, "Gillian, instruct the kitchen to prepare some royal jelly for the princess consort. She needs

then asked about Serena, and Carissa relayed

had been in high spirits the night before and hadn't noticed all the details, she had pieced things together through the morning chatter while getting ready for the day. "The Marquis of Ironridge's family has upheld its reputation for over a century. They

sake of

want. There's no way I'd allow her through the door! A

wary of overly scheming people. She knew she couldn't outmaneuver them, so she preferred to

full of schemes, once she's in their household, they'll be crushed one by one.

about

household with countless rules. It wasn't easy

tough