Chapter 787

Lionel felt a gnawing unease. Even if they managed to keep the matter secret from outsiders, hiding it from the household was impossible. The news would inevitably reach his grandfather and mother.

He turned to his uncle, saying, "Uncle Herbert, I'm going to speak to Carissa directly. I need to know the source of her information. If she merely heard idle gossip and then boldly claimed Dad has a mistress, I won't let this go."

"Go quickly!" Herbert urged. He didn't believe his brother capable of such a thing. The Quinton family's teachings weighed heavily on them, and as head of the family, Malcolm would never be so foolish.

Lionel swiftly rode to the Capital Guard's headquarters, only to learn Carissa had been summoned to the palace. Lacking the privilege to enter freely, he reported his intention to see his sister, the queen. Kylie's people would escort him.

He confirmed Carissa was still in the palace and instructed someone to inform Kylie and request Carissa's presence.

Arriving at Everspring Palace, he told Kylie, "Carissa is in the royal study. Please send someone to fetch her."

"What's going on?" Kylie asked, sensing the gravity of his demeanor. Carissa's role assisting the Supreme Court with the treason investigation was delicate. Could it involve the Quinton family?

"Just send someone," Lionel insisted.

"Lydia, go at once and wait outside the royal study. If Carissa comes out, bring her here," Kylie ordered.

Lydia hurried off.

After she left, Lionel said, "Yesterday, Carissa took the Capital Guard to Oakspire Estate. They waited outside for an hour before being admitted. Dad suspected she'd come to our estate today, and someone from Hell Monarch Estate informed him last night to expect her around nine this morning…"

Before he finished, Kylie's face flushed with anger. "What? She sent someone to tell Dad to wait for her? I've heard she casually inquires at various estates, but why must Dad wait for her? What important business does she think she's handling?"

"Let me finish," Lionel said, meeting her gaze. "Dad wouldn't meet her in person, so he took Mom out this morning, as he often does on rest days. He told Mark the Capital Guard could enter, but we didn't know Prince Rafael himself would come."

"Rafael?" Kylie was taken aback. "He brought the Capital Guard?"

"No. He came with Jacob. He insisted on speaking only with Dad. But Dad was already at the temple by the appointed time. We sent someone to call him back, but he hadn't returned after an hour. His Highness likely felt we were deliberately dismissing him, especially after he'd sent prior notice. So, when he couldn't see Dad, he claimed Dad was keeping a mistress, one of the concubines' daughters from Eleanor's household."

Kylie gasped. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Lionel calmly continued, "I know the Capital Guard is investigating Eleanor's household's concubines' daughters. When someone from Hell Monarch Estate sent word last night, it was likely Carissa who was to come today. But she was summoned to the palace, which is why His Highness came instead. Carissa knows most about this. I want you to bring her here after her meeting with His Majesty, so we can ask her. If she heard baseless rumors and jumped to conclusions about Dad, we need to resolve this."