Chapter 352
The carriage pulled up to Harmony Palace. The doorman went inside to report and soon emerged with an apologetic look.
“I beg your pardon, Lady Helen and Lady Carissa,” he said. “I forgot for a moment, but Grand Princess Eleanor has gone out today.”
Helen turned to Carissa. “In that case, we should return now. We can leave a message and come back tomorrow.”
Carissa asked the doorman, “Do you know where Grand Princess Eleanor has gone? What time will she return?”
“I’m not sure,” he replied. “She might not be back until very late.”
Carissa responded, “That’s fine. We’ll wait.”
She took Helen’s hand and started to enter the residence. The doorman hurried over. “Lady Helen, Lady Carissa, this is Grand Princess Eleanor’s residence. You cannot simply barge in.”
Carissa smiled. “How is it barging in? We’re here for a visit and will wait for Grand Princess Eleanor to return. Can’t this place accommodate guests?”
The doorman, having experienced Carissa’s assertiveness before, doubted she would be easily deterred, despite her smile. While he hesitated, Carissa pulled Helen inside.
Helen protested, “Have you no sense of propriety? He already said she’s not here. How long will you wait? Until evening?”
“I’ll wait until tomorrow if necessary,” Carissa said with a steely glare. “Mother, if we can’t meet her today, I won’t leave.”
Helen, exasperated, retorted, “Didn’t you say you could give the Mystic… to me? If so, decide when I get them back.” (The sentence about the Mystic is incomplete and unclear. More context is needed for a proper correction.)
“Very well,” Carissa said with equal determination. “Then you should return now. If you won’t wait, I will.”
She released Helen’s wrist, but Helen refused to leave her alone. Carissa’s unaccommodating attitude worried Helen; offending Eleanor, especially on her account, could cause trouble. Eleanor was not someone to be trifled with.
“Fine, I’ll wait. Are you satisfied now?” Helen said tersely, walking further inside and muttering about Eleanor not being easily offended and how troublesome it would be if they were.
Carissa hardly understood her mother-in-law. Was there nothing but air in her head? Over the years, Helen had lived so recklessly, causing Victoria endless worry. Carissa felt deeply for Victoria, who had undoubtedly been exhausted by Helen’s antics.
Once inside the main hall, the servants attended to their guests. Everyone in Harmony Palace knew that while Helen could be managed, this new princess consort of the Hell Monarch was not to be trifled with. Carissa was the kind who would seek revenge if offended.
Refreshments were soon served. Carissa surveyed the main hall. The floor was paved with white marble, and the intricately carved wooden beams were adorned with exquisite paintings. Two rows of delicate mahogany chairs lined the hall, their intricate carvings gleaming in the light. A grand, majestic landscape painting hung on the wall opposite the entrance. To the right was a pearl curtain door leading to a side hall. Using pearls as curtains certainly looked luxurious.
Everything showcased Eleanor’s incredible wealth and prestige; such opulence required significant money. The numerous staff alone cost a considerable sum each month. Eleanor maintained five hundred household soldiers—a standard generally not permitted, but tolerated due to the late king's and current king's inaction. Clothing, food, housing, and travel for these soldiers were expensive.
Furthermore, Eleanor was known for hosting grand banquets to solidify her connections in the capital. Her guests were wealthy or noble, and whether for a tea party or a banquet, everything had to be exquisite. Gifts were required for guests' children. Maintaining such grandeur over the years would be unsustainable. If she were truly so wealthy, she wouldn’t be so fixated on Carissa’s naive mother-in-law.