Chapter 222

Victoria was well aware of Helen’s intentions and decided to give her a gentle warning.

“Soon, you’ll be moving to Hell Monarch Estate to live with Rafael. If you don’t understand the ways of managing a household, don’t try to overstep and take control. Once Carissa enters the family, she will naturally take charge of the household affairs…”

Helen interrupted with unusual seriousness. “Victoria, that’s not quite right. How can a new bride be in charge of the household? I have reservations about her. Since we’re here together, I won’t hesitate to speak plainly—I don’t like her, and I don’t want her to be my daughter-in-law, let alone manage the household.”

Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You want to take over the household? Alright then, starting tomorrow, I’ll ask Kylie to transfer her duties overseeing the inner palace to you. Let her have a rest and see how you manage for a few days.”

“It’s not like I’ve never done it before,” Helen replied. “Kylie has been in charge of the inner palace, and I’ve assisted her significantly. Besides, didn’t I help you a lot when you were in charge of the palace back then?”

“Yes, you helped a lot, but sometimes you were more of a hindrance,” Victoria said bluntly. “Our parents spoiled you too much. After you entered the palace, I kept an eye on you and protected you, allowing you to have a stable life and bear a son and a daughter. How many times have you gotten into trouble and I had to clean up after you?

But once you’re in Hell Monarch Estate, if you want to enjoy a peaceful life, don’t try to make things difficult for your daughter-in-law. Whether you like Carissa or not, or oppose her entering the family, it’s a done deal that she’s marrying Rafael. You don’t have the right to oppose it. If you cause trouble in the household, I won’t spare you.”

Because of Carissa, even Helen’s own sister was no longer fond of her, making Helen even more unhappy. Despite this, Helen faced a harsh reality: no matter how unhappy she was with Carissa, the marriage was set in stone. She couldn’t stop it.

Thinking back, Helen had made such a big deal about it at Eleanor’s birthday banquet. If they backed out of the marriage, Carissa’s reputation would be ruined. After considering it, Helen decided to let it be and see how things played out.

The news of the Hell Monarch marrying the Duke of Northwatch’s daughter soon spread throughout the capital, causing much discussion. Opinions varied; some said Carissa was unworthy, while others believed they were a perfect match.

However, another voice emerged, claiming Carissa had married Barrett less than two years after the deaths of Hector and his six sons. This meant she hadn’t observed the three years of mourning, and was therefore deemed greatly negligent and disrespectful toward her family. Now, just over a year after her mother’s passing, Carissa was preparing to remarry, further fueling accusations of disrespect. How could someone so disrespectful have been a dutiful daughter-in-law to Rebecca?

This claim quickly ignited a wildfire of controversy. People began to realize it hadn’t been three full years between Hector’s death and Carissa’s marriage to Barrett; the mourning period she observed was indeed less than three years.

As for the mourning period for her mother, whether Carissa needed to observe it was still under debate, as she had already divorced once. However, it was clear she was married to Barrett during the period when she should have been mourning.

In Starhaven, failing to observe family duties was considered a grave offense, inciting public outrage. Within days, the situation escalated, with some even shouting and cursing outside Northwatch Estate.

When the maids went out to buy silk threads, they returned trembling, having been surrounded and berated by people who recognized them as servants of the Duke of Northwatch’s family. People pointed fingers and spat at them.

After washing their faces, they reported to Carissa. Lulu was nearly in tears: “They talk about observing three years of… [text unclear - likely a continuation of Lulu’s statement] …which is generally understood as two years and a bit more. But Lady Shad [unclear - likely a name] had been mourning for more than three years. The wedding date was also chosen by the late madam after a discussion with the Astrology Department. Now, could it be twisted into this? We couldn’t explain it to them; they simply refused…”

Carissa adjusted her collar and smiled. “It’s no matter. Let them continue their outcry for a few more days. Grand Princess Eleanor has plenty of money. Let her spend more of…”

The instigators of this public outcry were none other than Eleanor herself, with some citizens stirred up by her and others led by hired provocateurs. Let them continue their attacks for now; this tactic, based on falsehoods, wasn’t hard to counter.

Chapter 223