Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Helen's question revealed that she had guessed Janice had accepted a bribe and betrayed the Hell Monarch's family. She just didn't know who had bought Janice off. "Grand Princess Eleanor," Carissa said softly.

Helen's anger flared. "What does she want? When did it start?"

"It's likely Janice was already under Grand Princess Eleanor's thumb while you were still in the palace. Wasn't Grand Princess Eleanor doing business with you back then? Janice must have sung her praises to you repeatedly," Carissa explained. Helen narrowed her eyes. She recalled the past and became increasingly furious.

"She didn't just say nice things. She practically bragged about her! She claimed Grand Princess Eleanor's reputation for virtue was widespread, and that she was highly respected among the noble families in the capital. She also claimed Grand Princess Eleanor was so skilled at handling things that everyone praised her, making her sound more capable than even my sister. It almost made me respect her too!"

Violet wanted to point out that it wasn't respect-it was fear. Eleanor and Jessica had manipulated and bullied Helen. If it hadn't been for Carissa stepping in, Helen wouldn't have dared confront anyone, even if she knew she was being deceived.

"Why did she place her people around me?" Helen still didn't grasp the situation. "I was in the harem, just chatting with my sister most of the time. After the king ascended the throne, I barely interacted with the queen or the other concubines." "Because you have an exceptionally talented son," Violet replied.

"Is this about Rafael? Does she want to harm him?" Helen's voice softened a bit, her anger visibly lessening. "If it's about him, why not place someone in Hell Monarch Estate instead?" Carissa stated, "Regardless of her motives, just make it known and let the palace people handle it."

Helen didn't quite understand at first. "Why hand her over to the people in the palace? I brought Janice out myself. If I dealt with her, no one would dare say anything. Sending her back would make it seem like our household is weak. It's like telling them we're unable to deal with a mere maid!"

Carissa explained, "It won't appear weak. Instead, it shows that we follow proper protocol. When someone from the palace commits an offense, they are handed to the Royal Management Department for punishment. As for how the department reports to the king or the queen, that is beyond our concern."

Helen sipped her coffee, her brow still furrowed in confusion. "Why would a thieving maid catch the king's attention?"

sip but was interrupted

coffee in one gulp, Violet explained, "Because she's a convicted servant sent back to the Royal Management Department from Hell Monarch Estate. The king will certainly want

was there to understand?

could ask the older woman later. Nodding gravely, Helen set her

It makes

Mother. I'll take my leave," Carissa said, pulling Violet to her

I'm feeling

at all. She still had

Carissa and Violet were out of earshot,

about a thieving maid sent from our estate? Is there something I'm

Gillian smiled knowingly. "Your

Rafael

an offense and is being sent back to the Royal Management Department, the king will certainly want to inquire

it is?" Helen felt something was off, yet the explanation brought her a strange comfort-Rafael was being

let the palace people handle

already smoothed things over and clearly didn't