Chapter 785
After leaving Willowbrook Estate, Carissa felt a weight lift from her chest. The concubines and daughters in Harmony Palace had become an unbearable burden of guilt. She knew why those women were imprisoned—Eleanor's cruelty—and felt Cnossa's deep sadness, even though Cnossa refused to blame her parents. Seeing those hollow-eyed women, trembling at the slightest sound, had been heartbreaking.
Meeting Chaya had offered a small, fleeting comfort, like a colorful bubble glistening in the sun—beautiful, yet fragile, and ultimately, easily shattered, leaving only the harsh reality.
As the night wind whipped at the carriage curtains, Rafael put an arm around Carissa. Neither spoke, lost in shared thoughts about Eleanor's recent actions, which had rattled Yuvan, causing him to reconsider his plans to escape the capital. He wouldn't act yet, however, with Ruth still ill and the treason case unresolved.
Salvador's decision to delay closing the case was wise. As long as it remained open and Eleanor was alive, Yuvan would remain in a state of restless fear. Within a year or so, he'd have to choose between abandoning his ambitions or risking everything in a final gamble. He'd once had a golden opportunity but had been too greedy, wanting both the throne and a clean reputation. Perhaps he never truly believed the Southern Frontier could be reclaimed or that Sandoria wouldn't fight back.
As Rafael and Carissa's thoughts converged, they spoke in unison, "For now, Yuvan will have to stick to the shadows."
The couple exchanged a smile; marriage had brought them closer.
"His Majesty must still suspect him," Rafael murmured.
"These days, His Majesty suspects everyone. But Yuvan is clearly his main target," Carissa said.
"Are you going to the Quinton family residence tomorrow, or will you just send Michael?" Rafael asked.
"Sending only Michael wouldn't be proper, given the queen's family and the late king's teacher are involved. I'll go myself. I don't need to say much; I just need to ask a few pointed questions," Carissa replied.
Recalling the Duke of Oakspire's family's actions, Rafael said, "I'll go with you. It's a rest day, so Lord Quinton should be home. I'll speak to him personally. I'll send someone ahead to notify him, as he usually takes his family out on his days off."
"Alright," Carissa readily agreed. She didn't want to waste time waiting, nor face unhappy expressions. With Kiera married to Logan, she didn't want to strain relations. Rafael's presence would make Malcolm understand this was a matter for personal handling, not public exposure.
Chapter 785 (continued)
After word spread that Carissa had visited Oakspire Estate with the Capital Guard, the Quinton family anticipated a visit. By evening, someone from Hell Monarch Estate arrived at their residence, notifying them that Carissa would visit Malcolm around nine in the morning.
When a servant relayed this to Malcolm, he frowned. "They asked for me by name? So, I'm supposed to wait around for her?"
"Yes, sir," the servant confirmed.
Malcolm was annoyed. The lack of formal notice, coupled with the request that he wait, clearly indicated the visit concerned the treason case.
"Fine," he said. "Tell them: if the Princess Consort arrives with the Capital Guard, don't obstruct them. Let them in, but have Mark handle it. No one else needs to appear."
"Understood, sir!" the servant replied.
The next morning, Malcolm left early with his wife to avoid the confrontation. Just as Rafael and Carissa were about to depart, a message arrived from Salvador, summoning Carissa to the palace. With his wife occupied, Rafael took Jacob to the Quinton residence. There, the Quinton family's steward, Mark, was dumbfounded. The Hell Monarch was at the door, and the master of the house was conveniently "out"! Mark dared not inform Rafael that Malcolm had left, given last night's message. He hurriedly summoned the Quinton men to greet the prince while sending someone to find Malcolm.