Chapter 1088
Violet's patience had worn thin. With a flick of her whip, she chased Molly away, forcing her to shield her head as she scrambled to escape.
Carissa couldn't afford to relax until Yuvan left the city. Aware of his unscrupulous intentions, she dispatched Claire to watch Edgeview Estate, ensuring Violet didn't disobey orders and visit secretly.
For two or three days, Claire maintained her vigil. Violet adhered to her usual routine, returning to Skye Embroidery daily, never once going to Edgeview Estate. Only then did Carissa relax slightly.
Skye Embroidery and the women's academy were gradually gaining acceptance in the city. However, one concern lingered: many attended solely to network. Uninterested in studying, they showered the daughters of prominent families with pastries, embroidery, and gifts.
Some of these noblewomen began to lord it over the daughters of lower-ranking officials, fostering cliques. Students genuinely seeking knowledge found themselves marginalized.
Others attended to learn etiquette from Catherine or household management skills, anticipating their future roles as wives and household managers.
This was a stark contrast to the academy's early days. Then, many came due to Kyle's reputation, some with selfish motives, hoping to commission a painting from him. They believed a calligraphy piece from him would be worth leaving the academy.
As headmistress, Carissa continually addressed these issues. A hundred girls in one academy certainly created a commotion. How had these young women, all from respectable families, become so disruptive? Had they forgotten their upbringing?
Instead of immediate discipline, Carissa investigated, identifying the ringleaders. She uncovered a few key troublemakers.
One was Kylie's younger cousin, fifteen-year-old Jocelyn Quinton, recently come of age. Her father was Malcolm's younger brother, the Royal Ceremonies Department's minister.
Another was Cassidy Xavier, granddaughter of Tyler Xavier, the retired general who had once commanded the capital's soldiers. He now lived in a countryside estate.
The third was Hailey Schmitt, the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Glandale.
Chapter 1068
The Marquis of Glandale's family was an old and noble family of the capital. Their ancestors fought alongside the founding king, earning a dukedom which, after three generations, was reduced to a marquisate. Fabian Schmitt, the current Marquis, was the third to hold the title. Despite their prestigious history, they rarely appeared in public. They held the title but lacked court connections, and prior close ties to Kendrick, Dakota's son, fostered fear of retaliation from the current king.
The Marquis of Glandale's family had marital ties to the Quinton family; Fabian's eldest sister married Malcolm's third uncle. Hailey and Jocelyn were thus close friends, and, with Cassidy's martial skills, they recruited other restless noblewomen. Their actions often clashed with those who disagreed.
They excluded classmates and bullied their teacher, Rosalind, looking down on her for a past, unfulfilled engagement to Thomas. While never formally discussed, news of the potential match spread.
As usual, the woman bore the brunt of criticism. Rosalind, already burdened by reputation, became the subject of renewed gossip. Long dormant, it resurfaced with the women's academy's opening, amplified and distorted by Jocelyn and her associates.
They claimed Rosalind initially accepted Thomas, despite his prior marriage and age difference, due to his military achievements and promising future. However, when the king delayed his appointment, she withdrew her agreement. The irony—Thomas' subsequent promotion by Salvador—fueled speculation that she regretted her decision.