Chapter 413

Carissa playfully pinched his cheek. “If you stop scowling in front of her, she won’t think you’re going to lecture her.”

Bareel caught her hand and, with a playful peck on her lips, replied with a smile. “I can’t help it—it’s just my natural aura.”

“You often smile when you’re with me, don’t you? You should smile more at her, too.”

Bareel responded, “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

Carissa went out to give instructions, telling the servants not to bring food to Helen’s room. Instead, Carissa would personally invite her to the dining hall.

Helen was a bit fidgety and asked several times how Rafael was feeling that day.

Carissa reassured her, “He’s in a good mood.”

Relieved, Helen followed Carissa to the dining hall. Rafael was already seated and, upon seeing her, stood up and greeted her.

“Mom, you’re here.”

His tall, upright figure, combined with his habitual calm demeanor, conveyed the imposing presence of a seasoned general. Then, in a show of obedience to his wife’s advice, Rafael slowly smiled at Helen.

Helen was taken aback. In her mind, she recalled the signs before the late emperor’s outbursts—he would also slowly show a smile or a cold grin beforehand. Rafael increasingly resembled his father in this regard.

However, Helen nodded and said, “Sit down.”

She settled into her seat with steady calmness. With Carissa around, she felt assured that Rafael wouldn’t exhibit any signs of anger like his father.

A short while later, Kiera and Ryan arrived and took their seats. The meal proceeded in silence, with no exchange of words or glances between mother and son. However, Carissa served Helen her favorite dishes, showing how attentive she was to Helen’s preferences. Thinking of this made Helen’s mood significantly brighter. She even enjoyed an extra bowl of soup.

After the meal, as coffee was served and the servants cleared the dishes, Helen suddenly felt a wave of emotion and was on the verge of tears. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt a mix of bittersweet happiness. Wasn’t this what she had hoped for all along? Her children were by her side, quietly enjoying a meal together. There were no complaints from her son, no scolding, no reprimands, and no signs of impatience or resistance.

As they drank their coffee, they chatted about current happenings. One of the matters that came up was what happened to Mary, the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family.

Luke said, “The rumors outside have not ceased. In fact, the outcry…”

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“Since she is also General Warren’s rightful wife, she is harder to discipline than a concubine. Moreover, Madam Aurora knows martial arts, so Madam Viola’s attempts to impose rules have been unsuccessful. I’ve heard that the two maids she brought with her were beaten by Madam Aurora.

“General Warren comes home every day to handle these domestic troubles. With his time and energy spent in that manner, how can he focus on his official duties?”