Chapter 1004

Carissa had long accepted this reality. She turned to Travis and asked, "So, has anyone claimed her body?"

"Lord Klein said he contacted her family. Her parents are gone, so her brothers-in-law are in charge. They said a woman who was cast out and then drowned herself was bad luck. They wouldn't take her back."

"What about her husband and his family?" Violet asked. She immediately regretted the question. Why would they want her back after casting her out?

"Her husband is marrying a new wife in a few days. Why would he help with her funeral?" Travis replied.

Violet's brows furrowed in disgust. "He's marrying so soon? That scoundrel has no conscience."

Carissa shook her head. "I'm guessing he had someone else lined up already."

Violet's eyes widened. "But she was cast out because she had no children. Did she have a dowry? Doesn't that mean her family lost out?"

Carissa sighed. "They were common folk. There wasn't much of a dowry. Even if there had been, it's probably gone. I heard she was skilled at embroidery and made some money selling her work, but most of it went to supporting her family. When they found her body, she only had three coins."

Violet stood up, eyes wide with shock. "You've already looked into this?"

"I went to the Royal Citadel myself," Carissa replied. She had been as determined as Violet initially, unwilling to accept the truth. Her investigation had changed that. "When I was asking around, I didn't know her family wouldn't help with her burial," she added.

"If I'd known you went, I wouldn't have bothered," Travis said, sinking into a chair, a dark look on his face. "The body's been at the community burial house for a while. I went there; it already smells."

"If her family refuses to bury her, what will the Royal Citadel do?" Violet asked. "They'll bury her, right?"

"They will. But it'll probably be a quick, unceremonious burial. A mat, a hole, and that's it. A proper coffin? Forget it," Travis said.

Chapter 1004 (continued)

Violet had seen much suffering, but it didn't numb her heart. The last time she felt this angry was during Amelia's death.

Carissa was silent for a moment. Then, "Vivi, arrange a burial for her under the workshop's name. No ceremony needed. Just a good spot, someone to change her clothes, and a proper coffin."

Violet nodded. "Good idea. The workshop's been quiet; there's money saved. We'll ensure a proper burial. I'll tell Mrs. Lloyd. She contributed, too."

Travis poured coffee, took a sip, then recalled something. "By the way, I heard Duchess Jessica was cast out by the Marquis of Ironridge's family."

Violet said icily, "Rod, she's not royalty anymore. She's a commoner. Even so, she has more money than most nobility. I heard she's amassed a fortune. With her personality and the Ironridge family's generosity, her dowry and wealth will likely remain hers."

Travis nodded. "That's true. She has more money than we could ever dream of."

"More than you could dream of, at least," Carissa and Violet said in unison.

Travis's smile froze. He stood, muttering, and left the room. When Hannah heard about the embroiderer, she was deeply sympathetic. She cursed the man, calling him heartless, then ordered the household staff to handle the funeral arrangements.

After giving instructions, Hannah turned to Violet. "Funerals have many taboos. You're young; you wouldn't understand. Leave it to my staff. Just get her full name, birthdate, and horoscope."

Relieved, Violet nodded. She wasn't familiar with the customs and had planned to ask Frederick. Hannah taking charge was best. She gave Hannah a piece of paper. "Carissa got these details at the Royal Citadel. Her name was Hollis Lloyd, and she turned 34 this year."