Chapter 1123

These past few days, all the talk in the city centered on Yuvan and his family. Violet went unmentioned. Her apprentices, however, were not to be trifled with. Criticism of Violet was unheard of, and even a casual mention of her connection to Molly prompted swift and decisive retaliation.

Violet and Molly were cousins, albeit from different parents. Molly, having married, was now part of her husband's family, having no official connection to the Spencers or Violet.

Regarding the incident at the western mountain pass, Thomas's investigation confirmed witnesses saw a group of men abducting a disoriented young woman. Some bystanders even intervened, wielding hoes, but the woman's face remained obscured by darkness and struggling, her hair a tangled mess. Thomas was relieved they could not identify her.

Meanwhile, Yuvan and his household bore the brunt of public anger. The king's edict reprimanding them underscored the severity of the situation. While the populace cursed the powerful, they also praised the king's wisdom in not shielding his uncle.

Yuvan's injuries worsened, partly due to his stubborn refusal to acknowledge their gravity. His insistence on testing his capabilities by reading erotic literature only exacerbated his condition. He summoned many capital physicians, but few responded; the royal physicians, however, did attend, given his royal status and Ruth's plea to Victoria.

All physicians gave a grim prognosis: the damage was significant, recovery difficult. They suggested that Sebastian's treatment offered a faint hope. In a rage, Yuvan ordered Wayne and Fiona to find Sebastian; failing that, he would plead with his mother.

Unfortunately, Sebastian had left the city the previous day, ostensibly to gather a rare, century-blooming herb. He was expected back in about half a month, after speaking with someone at the Arcane Sanctum. Half a month—too late.

Yuvan lay frustrated and powerless, his rib and leg injuries confining him to bed, preventing his return to Valken. His situation felt like imprisonment, compounded by the financial demands of his impoverished estate. Molly, having spent the money she brought, wrote to the Spencer family for help.

Eustace Spencer, head of the family, had already received a detailed letter from Violet. He intended to travel to the capital, but his messenger advised against it, explaining that Violet's safety meant his arrival could raise suspicions, as no one suspected her abduction.

Eustace, furious, convened a meeting with family elders. They discussed the scandal and the investigation's findings: Molly had administered the aphrodisiac to Violet, making her an accomplice. This behavior, they agreed, was disgraceful and unworthy of the Spencer name. To salvage their reputation, they expelled Molly, filing the necessary paperwork and making a public announcement declaring her disassociation from the family.

Without the Spencers' support, Molly became useless to Yuvan. Upon hearing this news, Yuvan felt utter disgust, but dismissing her outright was too risky. Instead, he sent her to Verdant Monastery—the same place Avis had been sent to await her death.

Yuvan's rage toward Molly was intense. She had been unhelpful in the grove and confessed everything, leaving him vulnerable. In truth, this was a convenient scapegoat. Even if Molly had remained silent, his situation would have been hopeless. He'd been caught red-handed, with no chance of escape. Blaming Molly allowed him to avoid confronting the fact that his own lust had caused his downfall.