Chapter 580

The carriage rolled along, the strong wind and intense sun making the heat almost unbearable. Despite the sweltering conditions, the maid showed no sign of discomfort; she seemed remarkably resilient. Typically, a maid attending a mistress closely would be delicate and avoid heavy labor. This one, however, was different. Wasn't this a slightly disrespectful act?

Thomas sighed, choosing not to dwell on it further. They were accustomed to living on the edge, and such tricks were beneath their notice.

Inside the carriage, Carmen removed her veil, revealing a face strikingly similar to Celeste's—beautiful, yet distinctly cool. With the maid outside, she spoke softly, "Lady Carissa, please save my mother."

Carissa responded gently, "But clearly, that wasn't your only reason for stopping us."

"You're right," Carmen admitted, shaking her head, a hint of shame on her otherwise composed face. "My mother ordered me to ruin your relationship with the Hell Monarch." She half-knelt and bowed, her eyes filling with tears. "Please have mercy, Lady Carissa."

"Why should I help you?" Carissa asked, her gaze steady. She noted Carmen's tears, understanding they could be a tool for manipulation as much as a sign of genuine sorrow.

Carmen lowered her voice. "I can offer you a trade. What I know—"

Suddenly, Carissa pulled her to sit beside her. Carmen froze momentarily before quickly replacing her veil. At that moment, the maid lifted the curtain and peered inside. "My lady, are you feeling better?"

Carmen replied, "I'm much better now." The maid glanced briefly, then let the curtain fall back into place.

Carissa exchanged a look with Violet, trying to gauge the truthfulness of Carmen's claims. With little to go on, they couldn't yet make a judgment. Regardless of whether Carmen's story was true or false, Carissa and Violet needed to discuss it further and find an opportunity.

That evening, they stayed at an inn. After dinner, Carissa deliberately instructed Dylan, "Go and find out where we can buy more horses." Dylan nodded and left.

The maid and the guard exchanged a glance before asking, "Do you not wish to travel with us, madam?"

Carissa replied, "For your mistress's sake, it wouldn't be appropriate. Our group is mostly men, and traveling together might harm her reputation, as she's still unmarried."

The maid became anxious. "It doesn't matter. You are all good people, and with so many of you, it would be safer for her to travel with you. There's safety in numbers."

"You have your own guard, don't you?" Carissa countered. "Moreover, we'll be traveling not too far apart even if we separate. We can still keep an eye on each other if needed."

The maid couldn't refute this. However, she seemed increasingly distressed and repeatedly glanced at Carmen.

Carmen gracefully nodded. "Lady Sinclair, I understand it's an inconvenience. However, with the long journey ahead, having you with us would ease my mind. Besides, the cost of horses is quite high, and my funds are running low. I might not be able to afford them."

Carissa frowned. "I see. Which family do you come from? If we know them, we might be able to lend you the money for the horses. You can repay us when we reach the capital."

Before Carmen could respond, the maid bowed and answered, "My mistress is from the Lester family. We live at the eighth house on Petal Alley, and the family runs a business. My mistress was visiting relatives, and she initially had a male relative accompanying her. Unfortunately, he was injured in a fall from his horse and had to stay behind to recover. We had no choice but to hire a guard for this journey. However, we have encountered many difficulties along the way and are afraid of facing more troubles. That's why we earnestly request your kindness to allow us to travel together."

Carissa noted the maid's smooth, decisive movements, lacking any hint of fear. She didn't seem like a typical maid from a wealthy family; she was more like a seasoned attendant from a noble household.

Carmen had already revealed her identity, but the maid claimed she was from the Lester family and the daughter of a merchant in the capital. If this wasn't a deliberate slip-up, it seemed Carmen truly intended to betray Eleanor.