Chapter 1223
After dismissing Kylie, Victoria summoned a messenger to deliver a royal edict to Carissa. The edict declared that Carissa alone could determine the direction of the Gracewood Women's Academy, and that the opinions of others were to be disregarded.
Once the edict was sent, Victoria dispatched another messenger to inform Salvador that he was to join her for the evening meal.
Keith poured her a fresh cup of coffee, placing it before her carefully. "Your Majesty, please don't let this trouble you. It's not worth it. If the Queen doesn't understand, you can always teach her."
"Teach her? Have I not spent years trying? Which of my words has she ever heeded? Why waste my breath on her now?" Victoria rubbed her temples, her tone weary. "She even had the audacity to make things difficult for Lady Ruth. Does she wish to hand Prince Yuvan an excuse to raise a public fuss?"
Yuvan had returned to Valken, his body crippled and his heart undoubtedly hardened. If Ruth were to die in misery, it would give him the perfect opportunity to incite the citizens of Valken, fueling unrest. Kylie's actions would have certainly aided him. If this continued, perhaps it was time to consider replacing the Queen.
Meanwhile, Salvador was in the royal study. He had just been informed that someone from Serenity Palace had arrived, conveying Victoria's summons to dine with her that evening.
A chill crawled up Salvador's spine. A summons to dine was rarely solely about the meal—it often signified that he was the "main course."
With no other options, he called for Derek to investigate. "Go and see if someone has provoked my mother. Find out what's happened."
Derek, experienced in such situations, quickly sought out Keith for answers. It didn't take long for him to piece the story together. This routine was one Derek and Salvador had gone through many times before. Each time Victoria summoned Salvador for a meal, he would make inquiries to prepare himself.
When Derek returned, he relayed the details. "Your Majesty, there appear to be two matters. First, the Queen lodged a complaint about the Gracewood Women's Academy. Second, the Queen Dowager is displeased with how Lady Ruth's illness has been handled. She reprimanded the Queen earlier, but her anger hasn't subsided."
As Derek recounted the events, Salvador's hand trembled with rage. "I punished her with confinement, and she still doesn't see her fault? She's never once involved herself in the affairs of the women's academy or the workshop. But now, she eagerly complains, using me as her shield? How clever of her."
"Your Majesty, please calm yourself. The Queen likely acted out of a moment of confusion," Derek offered cautiously.
"A moment of confusion?" Salvador scoffed, his voice rising. "How many years has she been confused? As Queen, instead of fostering harmony among the women in the harem, she sows discord wherever she goes. Does she truly think I am blind to her meddling? Those young women leaving the academy—does she think I don't know it was her doing? I don't like how Carissa is cultivating relationships with noble families and ruining people's reputations like this. How despicable! After all these years of marriage, how did she never understand my thinking?"
Derek said, "Her Majesty is raising the prince and princess, and she also manages the harem. She's burdened with countless affairs, so it's understandable that she might fail to grasp your intentions, Your Majesty. Perhaps it would be better to lay things out plainly for her. If she were allowed to participate in the affairs of the Gracewood Women's Academy, she could gradually diminish Lady Carissa's influence. In doing so, Your Majesty's concerns might be resolved."
"What's the point of saying this now?" Salvador snapped, his voice cold with fury. "Carissa has already begun enrolling female students from the general populace!"
Derek lowered his gaze, knowing full well that Carissa had already begun her efforts. Most of the noble daughters had withdrawn from the academy—his suggestion was purely reactive.
"Your Majesty, please calm yourself," Derek said softly.
But Salvador was beyond calming. Without another word, he immediately set off for Everspring Palace.
Kylie had returned to her quarters feeling unsettled after being reprimanded by Victoria. When she saw Salvador storming in, her heart sank. She quickly rushed to greet him with a few attendants.
Salvador waved the attendants away, leaving only Kylie in the hall. Lydia hesitated, casting a worried glance back at her mistress, before stepping out and closing the door. Kylie stood in the now-silent hall, trembling under Salvador's piercing gaze. His expression was dark, nearly feral, and she felt her composure slipping. Her voice broke as she began to speak, "Your Majesty, have I done something wrong?"
Salvador's glare didn't soften. His tone was sharp. "If you can't manage the harem, then leave it to Sylvia and Grace to handle."
Kylie, still upset about the events at Serenity Palace, felt increasingly wronged. Her voice wavered. "Your Majesty, I didn't argue with the Queen Dowager today."
Salvador's face remained grim. "Who gave you the authority to cut off Lady Ruth's medicine? And who told you to bring up the women's academy to Mother?"
Kylie, confused, became further entangled by Salvador's sharp questions. "Your Majesty, why are we still treating Lady Ruth? Do you really think she'll get better? And won't Prince Yuvan use it against us to cause trouble? Also, I thought you didn't like the women's academy. I wanted to use this opportunity to persuade the Queen Dowager to close it down—doesn't that align with what you want?"