Chapter 1166

Oscar dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Grand Princess Eleanor!" he cried, then collapsed, weeping bitterly. Eleanor didn't react; she seemed lost in herself, oblivious to his presence.

After his crying subsided, Oscar presented a tray of pastries. Argent moved to inspect them, but Mabel stopped him. "Prince Rafael said there's no need," she explained. "She's allowed to eat them."

Oscar, eyes red and swollen, knelt, his voice trembling. "Your Grace, please… just a bite. These are from Lady Ruth. Her special pastries—your favorite. There are more cakes, too. Eat them slowly."

At the mention of Ruth, Eleanor finally looked up. Her face was gaunt and filthy, the skin around her eyes a deep gray, though her bloodshot eyes were still prominent. "Put it down," she rasped, her toothless words rough but clear.

With trembling hands, Oscar held up a change of clothes. "And these. Let me help you." He reached for her, ignoring the grime, carefully lifting her and guiding her into the room.

Argent glanced frantically at Mabel and Gillian. "Aren't you going in?"

"Let him help her," Mabel replied, discreetly hiding a pastry in her sleeve.

Argent, surprised, hesitated. But given Rafael and Carissa's decision, he didn't object.

About an hour later, Oscar emerged, carrying Eleanor. Her new clothes hung loosely on her thin frame. He set her beside the pastries; she curled up, retreating into herself. He also placed the blankets he'd brought near her.

Mabel nodded. "That's enough. Let's not burden Mr. Lane further. It's time to go."

Oscar, his eyes still glistening, stole one last look at Eleanor before leaving.

Eleanor watched them leave, then let out a soft sob.

Mabel took the pastries to the Arcane Sanctum for Ivy's inspection. Confirming the presence of deadly poison, she reported to Rafael and Carissa.

"Did she eat them?" Carissa asked.

"No, but Oscar told her about the poison," Mabel said. "It's her choice now—life or release."

"Thank you," Carissa said gently. "Go eat something."

"Understood, Your Grace," Mabel replied, bowing and departing.

Whether Eleanor lived or died was almost inconsequential. If Ruth wished to grant her escape, so be it. Kyle had perfectly replicated Eleanor's handwriting. A well-crafted suicide note would soon make its debut, revealing the culprits once they surfaced. Eleanor's refusal to name names wouldn't matter. The note didn't need to be written immediately; the timing wasn't right, and Eleanor likely didn't know the mastermind. But the note would.

Yuvan's elimination as the mastermind rendered Eleanor's role irrelevant.

The next day, the Heritage Bureau announced Eleanor's death. The official report cited suicide due to despair and guilt, omitting mention of poison. The news caused little stir; a few officials knew of the suicide note, but the king remained silent, and the Bureau was tight-lipped. The families once close to Eleanor wondered about the letter's contents, but the unease eventually faded.

Chapter Up

By November, snow had fallen, and Silas and Riley were divorced. After the Silverstone Estate incident, family elders mediated. Silas' anger eventually subsided, and he sought Riley's forgiveness. But some wounds are irreparable. Despite their efforts, the hurt lingered, and Riley sought a divorce. She crashed into that wall one more time before stopping.

Instead of returning to her family, Riley threw herself into her work at Skye Embroidery. Her needlework was exquisite, valued even by palace ladies. Salvador's favored concubine, Sylvia, even commissioned a garment, subtly opposing Kylie but genuinely admiring Riley's skill.