Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

When Helen returned from the palace, she walked straight through the sitting room. She held her head high, and completely ignored the women speaking inside. One of the women called out, "Mother, you're back?"

Helen didn't acknowledge them and continued to walk with her head held high.

Another woman rushed out and took her arm. "Mom, look at what Carissa and I bought for you! Come and see!"

"Hmph!" Helen glanced at Kiera coldly. "Why would I care?"

Kiera's face fell. "Huh? You don't? Carissa spent a long time choosing these."

"Hmph! Spent a long time choosing?"

Helen glared coldly at Carissa, who was standing at the door. In response to Carissa's smile, Helen raised her chin. "Fine, let me take a look. But I'm very hard to please." Carissa smiled and said, "Mother, please come and see."

Violet quickly called for someone to prepare some snacks. As she admired the jewelry, she filled Helen in on the excitement of the day.

Helen placed a delicate red coral hairpin with dangling pearls in her hair. As the pearls swayed slightly, the soft clinking sound was pleasantly soothing. She felt delighted, and had to admit that Carissa knew her preferences well.

She thought the commotion was amusing enough when she heard it from Violet. If Helen were actually there, she would be furious. She might have been unable to stop herself from snatching that ruby tiara. The audacity of it all was just too much!

Just being involved with that family felt tainted. It was like they each carried their own problems around with them, making everything they touched feel dirty.

on a headpiece. Given their

finest of their kind. It was for that reason Jessica had modeled The Gilded Tower

on her face. She was fortunate not to have gone today. Nathaniel had

realized Carissa must have anticipated this and hadn't invited her. That

Helen felt happy

for Carissa to review, and she

wasn't yet adept at accounting, but Carissa hoped he would be able to understand the ledger. He had previously

a few days, Ryan would be starting at Silverbrook Academy. The enrollment notice had already arrived. Originally, Rafael had planned to accompany him

him.

"Aunt Carissa, our family's

accountant is amazing! The

clicks so

nea

finishes, he tells us

we have earned. The

and the money

chin up, his eyes sparkling with

a smile, patting his head. "It's because there are people working hard for our