Chapter 441

“Mom!” Serena’s eyes brimmed with excitement. “Lady Jessica will take me! She said at the birthday banquet, she’ll help me become one of the Hell Monarch’s concubines.”

Rebecca’s eyes, which had been as dead as a tomb, suddenly sparkled with life. She struggled to sit up and asked, “Are you serious?”

“Of course. Lady Jessica told me in person, and Grand Princess Eleanor was there too.”

Rebecca’s heart leaped with excitement; her blood rushed, and her breathing quickened. “If this works out, Grand Princess Eleanor and Lady Jessica will be our great benefactors.” Rebecca paused, frowning. “Why would they help you like this? Are they plotting something? Don’t be too happy just yet. Let me think about it.”

Serena stomped her foot in frustration. “Mom, no matter their intentions, all that matters is that I can marry into the royal family. Even if I have to be a concubine beneath Carissa, I don’t care. I’m younger than her, and she’s just a once-divorced woman who remarried. How can she be better than me?”

She sat down again. “Besides, Grand Princess Eleanor has always liked matchmaking. Perhaps she’s dissatisfied with Carissa and wants to send me to annoy her. Even if Grand Princess Eleanor has some scheme, I’ll do my best to help her as long as I can become the Hell Monarch’s concubine. After all, I’ll just be a concubine. It’s not like I can achieve much.”

Rebecca thought her daughter’s words made sense. However, she still remembered the events at Eleanor’s birthday banquet and had a lingering feeling that things weren't so simple.

“Mom, Barrett has now become a ninth-rank official. Dad and Benjamin have no hope of promotion, and Aurora has always been against you. Viola is backed by the Earl of Silverstone’s family, but aside from offering some dowry to support our family, she doesn’t have much to offer us.”

Rebecca thought about it. Serena was right. Could they rely on Bryan? He couldn’t even pass the first level of the national examination. At this rate, how could they restore the glory of the Warren family?

Rebecca was wary of Eleanor and Jessica’s intentions, but if Serena could become the Hell Monarch’s concubine, the benefits would outweigh any potential costs. At least Serena’s position would be secured. That was a priority.

“Have you asked them what the plan is?” Rebecca asked with a sigh.

Serena relayed everything Jessica had told her. After listening, Rebecca pondered for a while. Although the plan seemed quite ordinary, it was indeed effective.

If Rafael embraced Serena in front of many guests, he would have to take responsibility for her, both out of respect and for the sake of his reputation. If he didn’t, it would tarnish his name.

Rebecca’s only concern was that even if Rafael married Serena, she might feel that she was scheming against him, which could result in him not favoring her. If that happened, Serena’s position as a concubine might end up being more symbolic than substantive.

But then Rebecca thought, so what if that happened? The Hell Monarch was incredibly influential. He controlled the Mystic Army and served as Chief Judge in the Supreme Court. Once Serena became his concubine, whether she was favored or not in their private quarters would remain a mystery to outsiders. Her status would make it easier for Jonathan, Benjamin, and Bryan to build connections and have more opportunities for promotion.

With that in mind, Rebecca nodded slowly. “Then, go ahead and act according to the situation.”

Suddenly, she remembered something and added, “Carissa has a good relationship with that old hag from the second branch of our family. I wonder if she will be invited this time. Go and ask.”

“Mom, Lady Jessica said I can’t disclose this matter to anyone. She even forbade me to tell you in case someone around you leaks it.”

“I obviously won’t tell her. I just want to know if Carissa invited her.”

“Should I ask?”

“Have your eldest sister-in-law ask. You don’t need to go. Just ask her gently and say you want to know.”

Rebecca slowly lay back down, finding it difficult to talk for long without getting breathless. She still needed to take Snowdrop Pills.

Serena went to find Amelia, who indeed went to Charlotte and inquired.

Charlotte looked at her and asked, “Who sent you to ask this?”

“Serena,” Amelia answered honestly.

Charlotte smiled. “So, it was your mother-in-law who wanted to know. Tell her that I was invited.”