Chapter 417
Leona rose and led Carissa outside, just in time to see Violet dragging Ruby by the hair. Ruby's usual arrogance and icy demeanor had vanished. Her face was swollen and bruised, bearing several distinct slap marks from Violet's harsh treatment.
Noticing their approach, Violet pushed Ruby away with disgust. "Get lost!"
Ruby, struggling to regain her balance, defiantly raised her chin. "Lady Leona, your guest is truly barbaric. But perhaps I should thank her; my lord will now cherish me even more." Clutching her abdomen, she was assisted away by her maids.
Leona's face turned pale, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Carissa guided her back to her quarters and offered her a handkerchief. She sighed. "Is this how she's been treating you? Leona, you are a prince's daughter and a duchess!"
Leona sobbed, "What use is being a duchess? He doesn't rely on my parents for anything. Even if they wanted to help his career, they wouldn't be able."
Harvey was a leisurely prince without real power. Inept at managing affairs, he lacked substantial funds, lived off his fief, and was surrounded by a host of concubines, all demanding luxurious living conditions. How could Leona's parents possibly support her?
Chapter 417 +25 BONUS
"Has she always been this audacious?" Carissa asked.
"When she first arrived, she spilled tea on my shoes while serving me. I scolded her, and my husband reprimanded me," Leona said, her voice trembling with despair. "Cari, what should I do? I love him so much, yet he hurts me like this. I'm carrying his child, and he brings a courtesan into our home. Have you ever heard of a noble family's heir marrying a courtesan?"
Violet interjected, "Enough of this! The Earl of Gracehold's household isn't a prestigious family. If not for their talented son, they'd be in decline."
Leona sobbed uncontrollably. "I used to think I was so fortunate. So many noblewomen admired him, yet he chose me. I know I'm not as beautiful as Ruby, but I am a duchess from the royal family. How can he disregard me so? Since Ruby entered the household, he hasn't come to my quarters. When I suffer from pregnancy symptoms, he merely sends someone to inquire about my health."
"There's also his other concubine, the lady from the Wagner family, right?" Carissa said, gently wiping away Leona's tears.
"Nora is quite compliant. She only hoped to use her family's wealth to secure a good marriage. As a merchant's daughter, she entered the household with a dowry of fifty thousand silver coins; thirty thousand was given to Samuel to marry the courtesan. Nora accepted it willingly."
"Divorce him!" Violet said firmly. She added, "While I don't think divorce is a simple matter, Samuel is heartless and untrustworthy. He's truly not someone to rely on."
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"CANA WANAO. Crewere to divorce huw my parents ve me NONINA Do remember how you were TOR A Our once Cathey didn’t even want the gifts you dering it bad luck.” family know how you suffering? Haven’t they talked The Row. My father aware but he says that having multiple wes for men and told me not to be petty or jealous. While my mother also feels for me, she still tells me to endure, SHUT DO & Sne’s pinay we. I’ll eventually be the matriarch he householt when he inherits his title. She says that when Samuel grows tied of the courtesan in a few years, he’ll throw her ste sol should just bear with it for now.”
Your parents are truly spineless," Violet cursed.
"But how can I endure this kind of life? If she only stayed in her quarters, it would be one thing. But Samuel dotes on her, and she comes to harass me daily. She makes me uncomfortable by always bringing up their nightly activities, and…"
Leona couldn't continue and buried her face in her hands, crying in anguish. Even though she didn't finish her sentence, everyone knew what she meant: Ruby's provocations included flaunting her intimacy with Samuel and deliberately causing Leona pain.
"Focus on taking care of yourself and the baby for now. After the child is born, you can deal with her slowly," Carissa advised. At the moment, she couldn't offer much practical help, considering Leona's fragile state.
The final paragraph is also largely unintelligible and requires significant editing or removal.