Chapter 1071

The gifts remained untouched in the storage room; Carissa hadn't even glanced at them. After dinner, she took a lamp and entered alone. Rafael offered to stay, but she refused, insisting on opening them by herself. Even Violet's attempt to join her was rebuffed at the door. Though uneasy, Rafael moved a stool just outside and sat vigil in the hallway.

Dylan returned with news. Upon learning of Aurora's death, Barrett had thrown himself against a wall in a violent fit, his wound bleeding heavily. Dylan, still in shock, had witnessed the force of the impact. He felt Barrett had been trying to end his own life. Luckily, Barrett stumbled in his rage, lessening the blow; otherwise, he undoubtedly would have died.

Confused, Dylan asked Jacob, "Why would he do that? If he wanted to die for Aurora, why didn't he go with her when she was taken? That would have shown his feelings. Why wait until now, after her execution?"

Jacob, equally perplexed, pondered, "Did they manage to save him?"

"I don't know," Dylan replied. "When I left, they were carrying him inside. His wife was screaming, and the estate was chaos. His younger sister almost attacked me—I barely escaped."

A trace of fear lingered in Dylan's voice. The woman had been ferocious, a wild animal, her mouth open as if to devour him.

Jacob patted his shoulder. "With that family, you can't make sense of things. Best to keep your distance."

Dylan, still rattled, nodded. "I'm glad I told him myself. If he'd come looking for answers and then done that, I'd be in trouble."

Jacob agreed. "Right. Go rest. Don't dwell on it."

Dylan reluctantly agreed, but couldn't shake the feeling. He needed to speak with Violet and Travis. He'd never seen anything like it. Barrett had never seemed devoted to Aurora, yet now displayed such deep affection. It made no sense. It was hard to tell if Barrett's behavior was genuine or a performance. Who was he trying to fool? If the king found out, Barrett would be reprimanded. The court would scorn him, and his wife would be heartbroken and disappointed.

Chapter 1971

Jacob moved a chair to the storeroom door to speak with Rafael. Neither could understand Barrett's actions; perhaps they deemed it unimportant to dwell on.

Inside, Carissa finally opened the chest her seventh uncle, Wade, had sent. She stood before it for a long time, setting the lamp aside and unlocking it.

The gift was unique: a row of syringes. Removing a cap revealed a thin steel needle, about half a finger long, delicate as a seamstress's needle. Curious, she counted thirty syringes, each containing fifty needles. She wondered what it meant. Did Wade want her to focus on embroidery?

Examining a needle under the lamp, she realized it wasn't for embroidery; one end was sharp, the other flat.

She noticed a small carved cherry wood box. It was about the size of a jewelry box. Inside was a gold bracelet, set with a ruby and a sapphire. It was crude; the clasp was damaged, and a tiny crack was visible along the seam. The sapphire seemed to move. Pressing it caused a click, revealing a small hole. The ruby slid aside, uncovering a similar opening.

Unsure of its purpose, she set it aside and opened her third uncle's chest. Inside were numerous small willow leaf knives. She couldn't help but laugh.