Chapter 190
Eleanor's invitation arrived at Northwatch Estate. The celebration was tomorrow, but the invitation arrived only today. Clearly, there was no time to prepare a proper gift; Carissa would have to choose something from the storeroom.
"Grand Princess Eleanor has always held a grudge against your family," Lily said, worried. "When the late Madam Sinclair was alive, Grand Princess Eleanor never invited her to any of her parties. Why has she invited you this time? Could it be that a crowd of gossipers is waiting for you?"
Carissa set the invitation aside. "That's a certainty."
She knew of the past grievances between her parents and Eleanor. After returning from Meadow Ridge following the deaths of her father and brothers, Carissa learned that Eleanor had sent her mother, Melanie, a "gift" that year: a miniature, intricately carved sculpture of a chastity belt, maliciously inscribed with the word "Legacy." It was a cruel gesture, implying that the women of the Duke of Northwatch's family were expected to remain widows and not remarry.
This invitation was likely a result of Carissa's recent achievements and her status as the duke's legitimate daughter. Marrying her could elevate someone's rank, tempting ladies from declining noble houses. Eleanor aimed to completely block her path, ensuring that even if Carissa remarried, she could only wed a merchant or commoner. But how could a merchant or commoner ever achieve nobility? Such a scenario would make inheriting a title laughable.
Lulu spoke up. "My lady, should we not go?"
Carissa sat down, her gaze cold. "We will go."
"Why should we go and be laughed at?" Lulu exclaimed, already angry. "Hasn't Carissa already endured enough humiliation?"
Pearl and the other maids, only aware of the animosity between Carissa and Eleanor from Lulu's account, agreed. "She's right, my lady. We shouldn't go. If we do, we'll have to bring a gift." To the maids, a gift was a considerable expense, especially one appropriate for a high-ranking princess—not some cheap trinket.
Carissa fanned herself casually. "We must face it sooner or later. Are we to hide in this residence for the rest of our lives? Besides, a host of official families and noble ladies have already visited us. If they turn on me at Grand Princess Eleanor's birthday celebration, I'll know they were mere opportunists. Knowing what kind of people they are, I can avoid them in the future. Consider this celebration a mirror to reveal their true selves."
Lulu, still concerned, nodded. "My lady, if they say anything unpleasant, please don't take it to heart."
Carissa smiled. "Silly girl, I don't care about them. How can their words hurt me?" Only those who cared could be hurt. Carissa didn't care; their words would be like water rolling off glass.
Neither the two senior maids nor Frederick discouraged her. They believed it was necessary, considering Carissa would eventually marry into the royal family and inevitably interact with these people.
"My lady, I'll prepare the gift," Lily said.
The storeroom was well-stocked with gold, silver, and jewels. Some were part of Carissa's dowry, while others belonged to her mother and sisters-in-law. The Westhaven spies had only killed people, not plundered treasures. Of course, the items from her mother and sisters-in-law could not be given away.
Since Carissa wasn't close with Eleanor, the gift didn't need to be extravagant, but given the number of guests, many of whom were from the royal family, it couldn't be insignificant. After all, Carissa was representing the Duke of Northwatch's family.
After some deliberation, they couldn't agree on anything, so the senior maids looked at Carissa hesitantly.
Carissa thought for a moment and had an idea—a gift others might find invaluable, but that she had in abundance: "scraps" from her senior, Kyle. Kyle enjoyed painting and often discarded works he was dissatisfied with. Carissa thought some were quite good, so she had stamped them with his seal and taken them home. Naturally, the study held many of Kyle's carefully crafted artworks and calligraphy, which Carissa wouldn't consider giving to Eleanor. A discarded piece seemed most fitting.
She selected a painting of orchids. The scroll unfurled slowly, revealing a realistic depiction of an orchid plant from Meadow Ridge. The painting captured every branch, leaf, and blossom in detail. Kyle was dissatisfied because he had mistakenly depicted a fully bloomed flower instead of a bud. He felt a realistic painting should accurately represent its subject, and since this one didn't, he deemed it worthless. His exacting standards led him to discard it.