Chapter 181
Leaving Lulu outside the hall, Carissa lowered her head and stepped inside. The white marble tiles beneath her feet were so polished they looked like mirrors, reflecting the opulent and luxurious decor that surrounded her. Carissa quickly glanced up and saw a distinguished woman seated on a chair in the center of the hall, dressed in a regal purple gown. Her hair was styled in an elaborate bun, adorned with luxurious jewels, and her features bore a slight resemblance to Rafael’s. Carissa knew this woman was Helen.
Stepping forward, Carissa knelt. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
Carissa’s posture was perfect, her gaze lowered, and her dress neatly arranged. The slight movement of her hairpins as she knelt was just right, leaving no room for criticism. After all, she had spent a year learning proper etiquette upon her return from Meadow Ridge, under the guidance of the palace tutors.
Helen’s cold voice pierced the air. “Raise your head, and let me see your alluring face.”
Carissa obeyed, lifting her head slowly to face Helen. Although their eyes did not meet, she could feel the coldness in the older woman’s gaze.
“Hmph. You’re indeed a beauty. No wonder my son is bewitched by you.”
Helen extended her hand, and the elderly maid beside her helped her down from the chair. Standing before Carissa, Helen raised her hand, adorned with long, protective claw rings, aiming to strike Carissa across the face.
“You vile woman! How dare you seduce my son?”
Before the slap could land, Carissa swiftly grabbed Helen’s wrist. Startled and furious, Helen was about to speak when Carissa said, “Your Highness, if you wish to punish this humble servant, please instruct the palace maids to do so. I have practiced martial arts since childhood and possess inner force. Should anyone harm me, my inner force will retaliate tenfold. I dare not harm you, Your Highness. But if you insist on striking me personally, please forgive my offense in advance.”
Helen hesitated, recalling that Rafael had mentioned Carissa’s prowess on the battlefield, where she had cut enemies into three pieces with a single stroke. It didn’t seem like a lie. Whether it was true or not, Helen couldn’t risk getting hurt by this woman. She withdrew her hand and glanced at the elderly maid beside her. Knowing the maid was too old for such exertions, Helen ordered a strong male servant to be summoned.
To be slapped upon the first meeting was an immense humiliation. Helen wanted Carissa to know this was just the beginning of her trials.
A burly male servant entered. Following Helen’s command, he raised his hand to strike Carissa’s face. Before his hand could make contact, he was sent flying, landing heavily on the high-backed chair where Helen had been sitting moments before! He spat out a mouthful of blood and passed out instantly.
Helen was horrified. She had been watching Carissa closely, and the girl hadn’t moved a muscle. The maids quickly carried the male servant out, though his blood had stained Helen’s chair. Despite the maids’ best efforts to clean it, the scent of blood lingered. Helen, known for her love of cleanliness, would likely never sit in that chair again. Fortunately, such chairs were not in short supply, and the servants promptly brought a replacement.
Carissa’s display of power left everyone in Evergreen Palace speechless. Even the usually composed elderly maid was at a loss for words, her hands trembling as she supported Helen.
Helen sat back in her chair, staring at Carissa’s stunningly beautiful face. A sense of suffocation washed over her, a feeling she had only ever experienced around her son. To her dismay, she now felt it from this young woman. Carissa’s kneeling posture exuded the authority of a seasoned warrior, perhaps a residual effect from her recent return from the battlefield. Helen could almost hear the echoes of combat in the air around them. This only intensified Helen’s displeasure.
Taking a deep breath, she looked at Carissa coldly and said, “You are well aware of your status. You’re not worthy of my son. I hope you understand your place. In consideration of the merits you earned at the Southern Frontier, I will overlook today’s offense.”