Chapter 220 +25 BONUS

Salvador raised a hand to quiet the room. "Aunt Eleanor, please calm down. It was improper for Carissa to trespass and insult you—a lack of grace expected from a noble lady. What exactly did she say? Are there witnesses? Provide details, and I will take charge. As for the accusation of her fabricating the miniature chastity belt sculpture, I'll have the Royal Citadel officials investigate. If it's false and an attempt to slander you, she will be punished accordingly."

"Witnesses? Plenty! My entire palace staff can testify. She barged in unrestrained, and the guards couldn't stop her. The palace staff also heard her insults," Eleanor replied firmly.

She paused. "Investigating the sculpture by the Royal Citadel is unnecessary. A large-scale investigation would only stir up more commotion. The common people are easily swayed and might believe any scandal, even if later proven false. Clearing my name would then be nearly impossible."

Victoria impatiently demanded, "What exactly did she say to insult you? Just tell us."

Eleanor scowled. "The specifics are unimportant. She dared to insult me, the Grand Princess. Even if she marries Rafael, she's a junior member of the family. Disrespecting an elder is punishable. And since she isn't married yet, her actions are a direct affront to the royal family—grave disrespect!"

Victoria waved dismissively. "Stop with the 'grave disrespect.' You haven't specified what she said. Are we to believe calling you 'stern-looking' is an insult? If so, it's just stating the truth. I need to know exactly what she said to determine if it was truly an insult."

Eleanor's face flushed with anger. "Victoria, you're clearly biased in her favor."

Turning to Salvador, Eleanor said, "Your Majesty, even a high-ranking minister insulting the royal family warrants punishment."

Salvador noted Eleanor's unwillingness to clarify Carissa's insults and made up his mind.

Chapter 120 +25 BONUS

"You're right. That's why I suggested you provide evidence, Aunt Eleanor. At the very least, clearly state what Carissa said or have witnesses from your residence come here. We can then summon Carissa for a direct confrontation. This clarifies the matter and avoids punishing her based solely on your word, which could undermine the morale of our loyal subjects."

"Confront her?" Eleanor stood, furious. "Your Majesty, do you know what you're asking? Who do you think she is? How dare you suggest I confront her directly?"

Her gaze snapped to Salvador. "Wait, are you suggesting you don't believe me? Do you think I'm fabricating accusations?"

"Aunt Eleanor, why would I think you're lying?" Salvador replied calmly. "However, every matter requires evidence. You claim she insulted you but haven't provided specifics. When I suggested summoning her for a confrontation, you said she's unworthy. So, on what grounds should I punish her?"

Eleanor responded harshly, "It's about her trespassing in Harmony Palace and insulting the Grand Princess—acts of grave disrespect!"

Salvador smiled slightly and asked probingly, "Aunt Eleanor, are you sure you want me to punish her on these grounds?"

"Of course…" Eleanor's voice faltered.

She suddenly realized a problem. The miniature chastity belt sculpture scandal had recently emerged. Convicting her of trespassing and insulting the Grand Princess might connect it to the sculpture scandal, implying she sent the sculpture. Such a scandal could incite public outrage and military discontent. How would officials and soldiers under the Sinclair family view it?

Understanding this, Eleanor finally saw why Carissa had stormed into Harmony Palace and broken the miniature sculpture. The miniature sculpture itself would never have been displayed; even if it were, Carissa wouldn't have claimed Eleanor gave it to her.

But if the charge of trespassing and insulting the Grand Princess were confirmed, combined with rampant speculation, the public would believe the scandal. Thus, Carissa broke the miniature chastity belt sculpture openly because she knew it would be impossible to hold her accountable. Even if punished, it would only be a few warnings at most, since she recently returned with military achievements. This wouldn't deter anyone and might even make Eleanor a joke.

In other words, Eleanor could only suffer this insult quietly. Unless she chose to risk her reputation and let the public believe that, after the death of Hector and his sons, she sent the miniature chastity belt sculpture to the Sinclair family. In that case, she would be drowned in public scorn without even needing to leave her residence.