Chapter 215

Helen gazed at Carissa's stunningly beautiful face, then at her slender figure. It was hard to believe that someone so delicate could be as ruthless as Rafael described—someone who could, as he put it, "cut a person into three pieces."

Recalling Carissa's actions and words at Eleanor's birthday banquet, Helen asked, "You offended Grand Princess Eleanor that day. Aren't you afraid of her retaliation?"

Carissa remained unperturbed. "Her bark is worse than her bite. Why should I fear her?"

Helen's voice turned cold. "You're too young to understand her methods. She has many ways of getting even. Such people often strike from behind. You'll find yourself in trouble."

"If she tries to attack us from behind, we'll respond openly and twice as hard. We conduct ourselves with integrity—we're upright and unashamed of our actions. We're not afraid of her, whether she comes openly or covertly. It's the things she does secretly that we should be wary of. Once we have a handle on a person's weaknesses, it's easier to deal with them."

As Carissa spoke, she crushed a cup in her hand, then nonchalantly placed the shattered pieces on the table.

Seeing this, Helen involuntarily straightened up, but quickly relaxed, realizing it was a gesture of weakness.

With a casual flick, Carissa brushed a small piece of broken cup from her intricately embroidered skirt and said, "At the Pathfinders Guild, we have rules. If someone doesn't offend me, I won't offend them. But if someone dares to offend me, we eliminate them at the root!"

Helen shivered at the words, but Carissa's smile remained gentle, and her tone soft.

"Of course, this is a matter of personal vendettas and the ways of the martial world. As a noble family, we don't act in such a manner. We always resolve things with reason. For instance, today, you invited me to speak with you and treated me reasonably. If you had truly been harsh—like leaving me under the blazing sun, making me walk in circles, or slapping me—I could endure it the first time, but not a second."

There was a cold, sharp light in her eyes.

Helen felt an inexplicable chill, but was at a loss for words. Carissa's casual remarks were laced with threats, and her manner made it clear she remembered their last meeting with disdain. How bold of her!

Helen had an intense desire to slap Carissa across the face. She wanted to grab Carissa by the hair, drag her out, and trample her! She wanted to crush each of her fingers one by one!

Carissa noticed the myriad emotions flickering in Helen's eyes. Turning her head to gaze at the sunlight streaming through the hall, she smiled faintly. This old woman needs to be intimidated, or she might cause trouble.

After a moment, Carissa turned away and asked, "By the way, you summoned me to the palace, Lady Helen. Was there something specific you needed?"

Helen rolled her eyes inwardly. Carissa was playing the fool. If there had been a specific matter, Helen would have mentioned it when they first met. It was clear the intention was to have her marry someone else.

However, the conversation had reached this point, and it was awkward to bring it up now.

"I was merely feeling bored and wanted some company. I thought it would be nice to have you here to talk," Helen said.

Carissa smiled warmly. "I'm more than happy to keep you company. If you're still feeling bored, why not accompany me to Harmony Palace?"

Helen's expression changed abruptly. "Why would you go to Harmony Palace?"

"Just a visit. After all, she'll be my aunt-in-law in the future."

Helen looked at her as if Carissa was an idiot. "You would dare to visit her? There are no guests today."

Carissa maintained a dignified demeanor and said gently, "That's exactly why I want to go today. There were too many people the other day, and it was difficult to talk freely. With no one around, I can speak openly. It's best to avoid any future misunderstandings or trouble. I detest unnecessary trouble."

Helen felt that Carissa's words might be aimed at her, but couldn't be certain. Carissa's serious demeanor suggested otherwise.

As soon as Carissa left the palace, Helen hurriedly sent someone to follow her, to see if she actually went to Harmony Palace. If Carissa dared to go there despite having offended Eleanor, it would mean two things: first, she was reckless, and second, she had no regard for the grand princess. Either way, Helen couldn't afford to antagonize her future daughter-in-law.