Chapter 403
Before the meal, the women gathered to chat while Salvador, his uncles, and brothers conversed separately.
Meredith sat beside Carissa and said, “When you married Rafael, I was unwell and couldn't attend. I only sent a gift, so I apologize for not being there. Please accept my apologies, my dear sister-in-law.”
Carissa understood Meredith wasn't condescending; she was simply expressing concern. Carissa smiled and replied, “There’s no need to apologize. I should thank you for the generous gift. Is your health better now?”
“I still have a cough and a high fever. At your wedding, I was truly bedridden,” Meredith said, coughing a few times.
Her maid quickly brought her a cup of honeyed lemon tea, which she sipped, alleviating her discomfort, though her face remained flushed.
“Please take care of yourself, Meredith,” Carissa said with concern.
Meredith nodded. “Thank you for your concern, Carissa.”
Henrietta, who had attended the wedding banquet, chuckled. “You should have seen how nervous Rafael was! He wouldn’t even allow the First Light Revelry in the newlywed suite, fearing he’d disturb the bride. His devotion was truly enviable.”
Meredith shot her a look and said, “Isn’t your husband good to you? I’ve heard he wakes up early every day to help you with your makeup. It’s become a well-known story in the capital.”
Henrietta’s face turned red. “Meredith!”
Carissa laughed and sipped her coffee. The harmonious atmosphere was genuinely pleasant. She made an effort to ignore troubling thoughts. During the New Year, showing even a hint of worry in the palace was taboo. Fortunately, she had learned to suppress her emotions.
They were discussing Leona’s husband, Samuel, the scholar who had taken two concubines. One was the head courtesan at Fragrant Parlor, renowned for her beauty, whose redemption cost thirty thousand silver coins. The other was the daughter of a Wagner merchant, allegedly taken for her substantial thirty-thousand-silver-coin dowry.
Everyone was in an uproar. In these prestigious families, marrying a courtesan was unprecedented. Even if one favored such a woman, she would be kept as a mistress outside the home. To marry a merchant’s daughter primarily to secure the courtesan with her dowry was unheard of.
Someone suddenly laughed. “I never expected that scholar to be so infatuated! He used one concubine’s dowry to buy another. He’s truly deserving of his title—clever indeed! No one else would think of such a perfect solution—raising the merchant’s status while marrying his beloved courtesan. But what about Leona? She’s pitiful, unprotected, and unloved by her husband.”
The speaker was Helen. She hadn't previously had issues with Heather, mainly because Harvey was an ineffectual minor prince. Defeating him offered no achievement. However, after learning that Heather had refused Carissa’s gifts for Leona’s trousseau, Helen disliked her and viewed her as an adversary.
Helen’s scornful remarks left Heather no dignity. Anger and embarrassment flashed across Heather’s face. She dared not offend Helen. Besides being the queen dowager’s sister, Helen had a son who returned with military honors and a sharp tongue. If they argued, Helen might utter even more unpleasant words. Heather knew she was wrong but was powerless to change the situation. Leona was pregnant, and her husband was taking concubines—what could she, as a mother, do to interfere? Moreover, Harvey had stated that taking concubines was normal. If Leona couldn’t tolerate it, she would be accused of jealousy.
After Helen finished speaking, she gave Carissa a significant look, as if to say that there were things Carissa couldn't say herself, but Helen would speak on her behalf and protect her.
Carissa dabbed at her mouth with a handkerchief, concealing her smirk. Though upset, Helen’s words were precisely what she wanted to say.