Chapter 1356

By evening, tensions exploded. The Waterworks Department had stationed soldiers to supervise the workers, ensuring the project remained on schedule. Yesterday's heavy rain had halted progress, but today's overcast skies, absent of rain, prompted Cameron to order the workers to compensate for lost time. He demanded they finish three days ahead of schedule.

The workers, already agitated, refused. Tempers flared, and heated arguments erupted between them and Waterworks Department officials. In a fit of rage, Cameron struck a worker with a club. This single blow ignited uncontrollable fury among the workers. Over a hundred men attacked the officials in a chaotic melee.

Fortunately, Carissa had positioned observers nearby. Word reached Max immediately. He was wary, suspecting Nicholas's involvement, but their investigation revealed not all workers were connected to him. The troublemakers appeared to be ordinary workers who had been provoked.

Balancing caution with urgency, Max led a group to quell the fight while dispatching someone to inform Carissa. She watched the daylight fade, knowing the city's nighttime curfew would soon be enforced. Continued unrest would provide Nicholas's people with the perfect opportunity to exploit the chaos.

Without hesitation, she ordered Michael to deploy the Capital Guard and sent a message to Edwin, instructing him to recall and detain Cameron.

"This is clearly Cameron's doing," Violet said, frowning. "I can't imagine his goal." Carissa's expression darkened. "Perhaps Prince Nicholas is growing impatient. Or maybe this is a trap to lure me out."

Violet's worry was evident. "Then let's stay at Capital Guard headquarters tonight. We won't return to the estate."

Carissa thought quickly. "If they fail to lure me out, they might attack here instead. With the unrest, we can't spare guards from every checkpoint, so we'll rely on those nearby or from the Capital Guard." She had anticipated this and discussed it with Jacob and Kyle.

The reality remained: skilled fighters were scarce, and critical locations were numerous. Remaining at Hell Monarch Estate indefinitely wasn't an option. Whatever came, Carissa was ready.

Violet's grip tightened on her sword hilt. "Then let them come. At least we'll stop wondering when they'll strike. It's a shame Cynthia, Bun, and Rod aren't here—we could fight them together."

Carissa held her Rose Spear, running a cloth over its sharpened tip. "It's speculation. Don't let your guard down. If something happens, your priority is to leave and get reinforcements. Don't fight alone."

Violet glanced at the dimming sky, uneasy. "I'll stay and fight. You should go for reinforcements. It's the same either way."

The wind howled, and the darkened sky threatened a storm. Distant thunder of hoofbeats grew louder.

The women stepped outside. A Capital Guard officer approached. "Commander Sinclair, it's Mr. York and Mr. Spencer."

Carissa and Violet breathed a sigh of relief and greeted them at the gate. Jacob, Kyle, and Travis dismounted, their combat-ready attire dusty from a hard ride.

Jacob, his hair slightly disheveled, said, "We heard about the unrest. We feared ulterior motives, so we came."

Kyle's tone was reassuring. "Don't worry. The five of us can handle anything. No matter how difficult, we'll fight our way out."

A wave of warmth washed over Carissa. They must have been worried. She smiled. "All right. If no assassins come tonight, we'll feast. If they do, we'll give them a fight."

They moved to the main hall. Carissa ordered dinner. Around eleven, rain began—a persistent drizzle. A messenger arrived from Michael, reporting the unrest was escalating, becoming harder to control. He had requested reinforcements from the Royal Citadel and Supreme Court.

Violet, restless, wanted to check the situation, but the thought of assassins targeting Carissa stopped her. "Do you think they'll act tonight?"

Jacob shook his head. "No. It would be a wasted effort. They wouldn't stand a chance." The Mystic Army fortified every checkpoint. Even a coup attempt wouldn't breach Royal Street. They were likely stirring conflict—either as an excuse for future action or to target Carissa.