Chapter 313

On the twenty-second of December, Kyle left. Carissa walked him to the door, clinging to his sleeve. A biting cold wind whipped around them, and the overcast sky threatened snow.

Carissa sighed inwardly. Even Kyle was leaving. She could only hope for clear weather on her wedding day. If it didn't snow, at least the bridal carriage would travel more easily. She had no other extravagant wishes.

Kyle smiled and said, "I've ordered some jewelry for you at the Gilded Tower. Send someone to collect it. The payment has already been made, and the receipt is with Frederick."

"I'll have Frederick go later," Carissa replied, watching as the stable hand brought out Kyle's horse. A pang of sadness struck her. "You're really in a hurry to leave? Can't you stay a couple more days?"

"No, it's urgent," Kyle said, gently rubbing her forehead. "We'll see each other soon enough. Aren't you planning to go back to Meadow Ridge?"

"Yes!" Carissa nodded. "Then be careful on the road."

"I will. No need to see me off. Go back inside," Kyle said as he took the reins, mounted his horse, and waved. "Go on back."

Carissa shook her head. "I'm going to see you off."

Without further ado, Kyle spurred his horse and rode away. Carissa stood at the gate, watching him leave, her heart heavy with unspoken disappointment. How had everything they'd planned so carefully fallen through? Her mood plummeted.

After returning to the house and sitting for a while, she asked Frederick for the receipt from the Gilded Tower and set out with Lulu to collect the jewelry Kyle had ordered.

The Gilded Tower was quite large, with two connected storefronts and both a ground floor and an upper floor. The store's name was simply "Gilded Tower." They sold not only gold jewelry but also other precious gems and ornaments. The designs were decent, though they couldn't compare to those of the Golden Tower. The Gilded Tower had been open only a few years and seemed to be capitalizing on the Golden Tower's reputation. However, their backers appeared substantial, and their business was doing well.

Carissa handed the receipt to the first-floor manager. The shopkeeper offered refreshments and asked her to sit while he personally retrieved the item. The shopkeeper, who looked as thin as a monkey, moved quickly. In no time, he returned with a box and handed it to Carissa.

"Please inspect it, my lady," he said.

Carissa opened the box and found a large gold bracelet. It was flashy, almost tasteless. Kyle had refined taste, so she'd had high expectations. But this…

The only redeeming feature was its size and weight. When worn, it gleamed brilliantly. It looked like something a nouveau riche person would wear.

The shopkeeper's elaborate reception was likely due to the bracelet's size and weight. Carissa felt a pang of disappointment but reminded herself that it was the thought that mattered. She tried on the bracelet briefly before removing it and placing it back in the box. The Gilded Tower was crowded, and she didn't want to be seen by too many people.

As she handed the box to Lulu, she ran into Evelyn.

"Good day, Madam Prince," Carissa greeted respectfully.

"Lady Sinclair," Evelyn responded with a faint smile. "With your wedding approaching, why are you still out and about?"

"I'm just picking up something," Carissa replied.

Evelyn stepped closer and said softly, "Lady Sinclair, could we have a word in private?"

Noting the gentle, almost pleading expression on Evelyn's face, Carissa agreed.

"Certainly. There's a coffeehouse next door. Let's go there."

They requested a private room at the coffeehouse, leaving Lulu and Evelyn's maid outside. Once seated, Evelyn spoke first. "I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet. I wish you and His Highness a lifetime of happiness and many children."

"Thank you," Carissa responded graciously. "And congratulations on your daughter's marriage to General Warren. I pray it goes smoothly."

Evelyn smiled bitterly. "Thank you. When I visited Northwatch Estate with my daughter that day, it was truly out of necessity."

Carissa reassured her, "There's no need to be so formal, Madam Prince."

Evelyn nodded. "I understand. Lady Sinclair, you concealed some of the truth that day. In fact, we knew that before you left the Warren family, they intended to claim half of your dowry."