Chapter 308

Heather was speechless. After a long pause, she attempted to shift some blame to Avis. "Avis is Carissa's aunt, and she was the matchmaker. Why hasn't she returned? It shows it's not just me who's cold-hearted—everyone is!"

Leona sighed. "You know Aunt Avis's situation. She's been ill and couldn't travel. Besides, she doesn't control Prince Yuvan's estate; it's managed by his secondary concubine. It's almost like she's under house arrest."

Heather sighed in resignation. "Forget it. I won't maintain relations with your cousin. You can keep in touch; we can't completely sever ties. After all, she's Prince Rafael's future wife. We're both princess consorts, but it's not the same. Your father is ineffectual and cowardly. While Prince Rafael may not hold military authority now, he controls the Mystic Army and the Supreme Court. He holds real power."

Leona was speechless. Could her father really make a difference? During the previous king's reign, their grace allowed them to remain in the capital instead of being sent to the provinces. If her father weren't so ineffectual, they would have been sent to a remote location with no return permitted without an edict.

Heather knew this but continued to bring it up. When a couple doesn't get along, there's no peace in their home.

Heather recounted the tea party and her grievances. She wanted to defend Carissa from gossip, but Harvey's temperament prevented her from speaking up for fear of trouble. Ultimately, it was a complaint about Harvey.

Leona frowned, sensing more complexity. She found a maid who had accompanied them and inquired further. She learned that her mother not only failed to defend her cousin but had even agreed with Carissa's critics. Now, she resented Carissa for not sending her a painting from the Northwatch Estate exhibition.

Heather's resentment was evident to everyone, including Carissa.

Leona sighed. Though a newlywed still learning social etiquette, she knew this wasn't the way to handle things, especially considering Melanie's past favoritism towards Heather.

The next day, Leona felt compelled to visit Northwatch Estate to apologize on her mother's behalf. She didn't want to lose her relationship with her cousin.

Despite feeling aggrieved, Leona found solace in visiting Carissa. Here, her heart found peace, a reprieve from her turmoil.

Carissa was speaking with Kyle when Leona arrived.

"Kyle, you should look around. I'll chat with Leona," she said.

"Go ahead," Kyle replied, smiling. "I promised to paint for Ryan today. You've already interrupted me quite a bit this morning."

Carissa chuckled. "I've been counting money all morning. Just focus on painting for Ryan, and please don't make me pose for you."

Kyle rarely painted people. He'd once witnessed Carissa kicking an apple tree, causing pink petals to fall. He'd captured her actions and grimaces in a painting that became popular at the Pathfinders' Guild.

Thinking of this, Kyle smiled indulgently. "Go on and do what you need to do."

"Okay!" Carissa replied, leaving. Her lively Meadow Ridge steps now seemed subdued.

Watching her, Kyle thought of her carefree Meadow Ridge days. Those days seemed past, and he sighed.

Carissa laughed when she heard Leona was apologizing and didn't dwell on the subject. However, she noticed Leona's frown and asked, "Is your husband treating you poorly?" Leona paused, forcing a smile. "He treats me well, Cari. Don't worry."

"You've lost weight," Carissa remarked.

"It's cold, and I don't have much of an appetite," Leona replied, smiling. "Isn't it better to be slimmer? My husband says I look better this way, with a waist so slender it's barely more than a clasp. It makes people enchanted and mesmerized."

Carissa frowned. Was Leona emulating ladies from romance novels? She kept her thoughts to herself.

After chatting and sharing coffee, Leona grew anxious to leave. Her mother-in-law was unwell, and she needed to return.