Chapter 223

Eleanor was behind this matter. Unable to have Salvador punish Carissa for offending the royal family, she decided to take matters into her own hands and teach Carissa a lesson.

The people of the capital had praised Carissa for her devotion to her family. But now? Eleanor wanted to see if a daughter remarrying during her mourning period would be met with public scorn.

One of Eleanor's servants, Lucy, entered with a beaming face. “Your Highness,” she reported, “news of this has spread far and wide. Coffeehouses and taverns are abuzz with discussions, mostly condemnations.”

Jessica's brows knitted in cold displeasure. “Mostly?” she asked. “Are there still some people speaking in her favor?”

Lucy replied, “Yes, my lady. A few troublemakers are defending her, saying that by the time she married, twenty-four months had passed since her father’s death.”

Mourning for parents traditionally lasted three years for children, but twenty-four months was considered the actual required period.

Jessica said, “The common people won’t remember her wedding date. It’s probably someone from the Duke’s family trying to confuse the issue.”

Turning to Eleanor, she asked, “Mom, did she really complete the mourning period?”

Eleanor replied indifferently, “Who knows? In any case, the common people won’t care about such details. They enjoy berating the powerful; it brings them satisfaction. They won’t concern themselves with specifics.”

“If she did observe the full mourning period, and if she comes forward to clarify, the people will believe her, making our efforts pointless. You must have spent quite a bit of money this time,” Jessica said.

Eleanor sighed, her expression darkening. “I did spend a lot of money, but if it results in Carissa being publicly denounced and her reputation ruined, then the money was well spent.”

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Chester 38

“What matters?” Jessica asked. Her eyes gleamed with calculation. “I’m a bit short on funds, so I thought to ask Aunt Helen for some money.”