Chapter 414

Helen remarked, “That young lady from the Prince family is rather pitiable, though.”

Violet scoffed. “Pitiable? Hardly! They’re all cut from the same cloth. You might not know this, but when Cari married the marshal, Viola’s marriage was also on the same day. She tried to overshadow Cari at every turn, and even told her maids that Cari’s dowry was so little. The look on her face when others came to add to Cari’s trousseau was quite something.”

“Is that true? How do you know?” Helen asked.

“Of course, it’s from my sources. The Prince family’s management isn’t great. They can’t control their servants’ mouths. Viola’s bitterness towards Cari is quite evident,” Violet said with a touch of pride.

It turned out that Winona’s people were indeed very useful.

Carissa recalled her two meetings with Viola. The first time was uneventful, but by the second meeting, she had sensed hostility.

“We don’t have to deal with her anyway. Let her be angry,” she said. “She’s ungrateful,” Helen spat in disdain.

She thought of how her son’s military power had been taken by the Prince family and added, “To say she’s pitiable is to overlook that every pitiable person has their own faults. Her entire family isn’t worth much, and they even took my son’s military authority.”

“Mom!” Rafael’s expression darkened immediately. “What are you saying?”

Helen started and quickly grasped Carissa’s arm, looking anxious. She didn’t understand why Rafael was being so harsh.

Carissa said, “Where such talk is inappropriate, even within the estate. It was a bad decision.”

Helen nodded in understanding.

Carissa then lightly tapped Rafael’s arm. “Don’t speak so loudly.”

Seeing his mother’s concern, Rafael said, “I’m sorry, Mom. I was wrong. A bit… much?”

Looking chagrined, Helen said, “You shouldn’t speak loudly to your mother. If others hear it, they might say you’re disrespectful.”

Rafael glanced at Carissa, paused, then said, “I’ll be more mindful.”

With that, Helen decided to skip finishing her coffee and retreated to her room.

Though the sky had darkened, the weather wasn’t too cold, and the breeze carried a hint of warmth. The couple walked hand in hand through the courtyard.

Rafael informed his wife, “Aunt Avis was buried at Ethereal Peak. The funeral followed a princess consort’s rites. In death, she was granted the honor she deserved as a princess consort.”

Due to the freezing rain, the funeral had taken place a long time ago. Neither Carissa nor Rafael had attended. They had sent Jacob in their stead.

Carissa felt a pang of sadness. “It was just for show.”

“Don’t be disheartened,” Rafael said softly, squeezing her hand. “At least you were there to keep her company before she left.”

“Yeah.” Carissa lowered her head, not saying much.

“Jacob said that Randall truly mourned Aunt Avis. He was the sincerest in his grief at the funeral, while Sabrina and Stephanie only managed to squeeze out a few tears to put on a show of sadness.”

Carissa recalled the faces of the two sisters. When they heard of their mother’s death at Hell Monarch Estate, they seemed indifferent, as if their mother had already been dead in their hearts long ago.

Changing the topic, she said, “I’ve sent a notice to Gracehold Estate. I’ll be visiting Leona tomorrow.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Rafael asked.

Carissa smiled. “We’re just having a chat between cousins. What would you do there? Besides, you don’t have a day off tomorrow.”

“I’ll act like an incompetent official and stay away from the Supreme Court to go with you.”

Carissa replied, “There’s no need. I’ve asked Vivi to come with me, and I’ve also invited Rowan to join us. He’ll check Leona’s health. Samuel taking a concubine must have been a severe blow to her.”

“Alright.” Rafael frowned, clearly having little regard for Samuel.

Carissa suddenly said softly, “Leona loved Samuel deeply, but it’s a pity her affection was misplaced.”

Rafael pulled her into an embrace, his voice filled with determination as he said, “I love you very much too, and I know my love isn’t misplaced.”

Carissa rested her head against his chest. For a moment, her body felt warm against his.

The final few lines are illegible and cannot be corrected.