Chapter 750

Once outside, Ivy stopped concealing the truth from Carmen.

“I have to be honest,” she said. “If your mother had received treatment a month earlier, her condition wouldn't have deteriorated so severely. You should spend time with her. Her days are numbered.”

Carmen felt her mind go blank. Any doubts about Violet's earlier words vanished completely. Melanie had been in the dungeon and received medicine, but it clearly wasn't intended to treat her illness. The Harmony Palace physicians were skilled. If they had truly meant to help her, she would have improved.

But why? Why had Celeste done this?

Tears streamed uncontrollably down Carmen's face as she stared blankly at the prescription and banknote. Ivy, accustomed to the world's sorrows, offered a gentle reminder: “Life is full of helplessness. You must learn to be strong.”

Ivy left on her donkey, but Violet, seeing Carmen's distress, hesitated before leaving. She pulled Carmen back into the cabin. “No matter what, your mother still needs you.”

Carmen tossed the banknote and prescription to the ground and rushed into the room. Kneeling beside Melanie's bed, she cried out desperately, “Mom, why did she do this?”

Melanie, momentarily taken aback, paused before understanding. After a long silence, she sighed heavily.

“Carmen, everyone has a breaking point. She may be truly worn out. I wanted you to stay away so you could understand. Before this happened, she was punished by Grand Princess Eleanor. Your sister carries her own burdens.”

“That's not the real reason! I told her I'd gained Prince Rafael and Lady Carissa's trust! Celeste also believed we could rescue you. But why resort to such measures? How old is that physician? Why would she do that?”

Carmen sank to the floor, sobbing hysterically. She didn't understand.

Violet sensed Melanie knew why Celeste had acted—the pain in her eyes was evident. Melanie remained silent for a long time, tears flowing uncontrollably. Finally, her voice trembled. “It’s my fault for involving you both, Carmen. She had her reasons. If you two had always been in the same situation…”

Violet watched Melanie closely, piecing together Carmen's words. A thought struck her.

“Carmen,” she asked, “when you mentioned gaining Prince Rafael and Lady Carissa's trust, could Celeste have thought you might become the prince's concubine? Since she couldn't stop that, she resorted to harming your mother. That way, you wouldn't follow Eleanor's orders, wouldn't have an excuse to get close to us, and wouldn't become the prince's concubine. Is that it?”

Melanie shivered, disbelief flickering across her face as she looked at Violet. She quickly shook her head.

“No, it’s not like that.”

Carmen's heart sank as she observed her mother's reaction. A cold dread washed over her. She knew Violet was right. Tears fell as Carmen laughed softly.

“That reason? No wonder when I told her I had Prince Rafael and Lady Carissa's trust, she didn't seem happy at all. She stared at me for a long time before finally smiling. It was because of this? I've never cared about being a prince's concubine! All I've ever wanted is to rescue my mother and reunite our family.”

Melanie trembled, reaching out to wipe Carmen's tears away, sorrow etched on her features. “Forget about it. It was her choice. After I’m gone, you and she shouldn’t have much to do with each other.”

“How did you know she wanted to hurt me?” Carmen grasped her mother's hand, her gaze falling on a streak of gray in her mother's hair. “Did you know she was colluding with the physician? How did you find out?”

Melanie smiled bitterly.

“She’s my daughter. I know her thoughts well. She visited me and said many things. She was filled with resentment and bitterness because you’d become familiar with Prince Rafael and Lady Carissa. The physician used to send me medicine daily. But after her visit, the medicine tasted different. Every night, I coughed terribly and vomited blood.”

“I’m going to find her!” Carmen sprang to her feet, rage filling her face.

Violet stopped her. “You won’t find her. She’s probably already left the capital.”