Chapter 475

Lulu hurried downstairs, fetched more coffee, and poured a fresh cup for Alana.

After Alana finished her coffee, she continued, “Lady Leona had been waiting for him; we didn't stop him. We thought it best if the couple resolved their conflict openly, especially before the child's birth. It would be better for the duchess to be in a better mood than crying alone every night.”

Carissa became anxious. “Did he insult Leona?”

“Insult her? No, if it were only that, I wouldn't have hit him. He pushed the duchess, causing her belly to hit the corner of the table. She was in such pain that she broke into a cold sweat; that's when I intervened.”

“He pushed Leona? How is she now?” Carissa asked urgently.

“The family physician has seen her. She's experiencing a possible miscarriage and will need a month of bed rest,” Alana said, taking another sip of coffee. “Since the duchess kept calling for her mother, I went to Hartstone Estate to ask them to come.”

Alana paused, making everyone anxious.

Carissa asked, “Did they go?”

“No,” Alana replied, taking another sip. “I’m so thirsty from running around. Lady Heather wanted to go, but Prince Harvey said that would mean confronting that scoundrel. To do so, they needed to know the Earl of Gracehold's family's position.”

“They debated and decided that, since the physician recommended bed rest, they would visit another day, avoiding the current commotion. A visit in a few days wouldn't be connected to today's incident.”

Suddenly, an angry voice came from outside the door: “Damn that nonsense!”

Helen and Gillian entered, furious.

“His own daughter is mistreated, and instead of defending her, he's afraid of offending his son-in-law? What kind of reasoning is that? Is his son-in-law made of gold?” Helen snarled.

Alana stood to greet Helen.

Helen asked, “So, they’re just going to let it go? What are they afraid of?”

Alana replied, “Lady Helen, Prince Harvey believes that causing a scene now will only make the duchess's future more difficult, possibly hindering her ability to carry the child to term.”

“The situation is already bad enough! What good will delaying do?” Helen fumed, embodying a mother's fury. If Logan dared mistreat her daughter, she would demand immediate action, showing no mercy.

“They plan to go in a few days,” Alana said.

“In a few days? What's the point of waiting?” Helen retorted. “A few days to plan a reunion? Carissa, you—”

Gillian quickly interjected, “That's inappropriate, my lady. Lady Carissa isn't a member of Lady Leona's family. The duchess has her own family. If her family doesn't intervene, and only a cousin does, it would seem like the royal household is bullying the smaller family.”

“If they’ve already been so rude, what do we have to fear in retaliating?” Helen replied.

Rafael, observing his mother's readiness to confront Samuel, remarked, “For matters of bullying… you'd be perfect, Mom.”

Helen was stunned. “Me? Why would I go? I'm only Leona's cousin's mother-in-law. It wouldn't be appropriate.”

Rafael reminded her, “Are you sure? Leona is my cousin, and you'd be visiting on behalf of the Queen Dowager, which is entirely appropriate. If you were to stumble upon this and react with anger, who could question your authority?”

He added, “Most importantly, you have high status!”

Helen considered this. Harvey and the late king were brothers; Harvey had addressed her as a sister-in-law. She was effectively part of Leona's family. If she, as a family member, didn't intervene now, when would she?

“I'll go!”

Ignoring the encroaching darkness, Helen ordered the carriage prepared. She would bring Alana and Violet, eager to witness the confrontation.

Carissa stopped Violet, whispered to her, and instructed her to discuss the matter with Helen in the carriage.