Chapter 788
Kylle, obviously upset, said, "Regardless, Dad would never do such a thing. There must have been a mistake in their investigation. This hasn't spread too far, right?"
Lionel replied, "Only the people within the estate know. Uncle Herbert issued a strict order prohibiting anyone from speaking of it outside."
"Was Dad home when you left for the palace?"
"I left before he returned. I went to Capital Guard headquarters to find Carissa, but when I heard she had been summoned to the palace, I rushed over immediately. I hoped to clarify things with her so we could plan our response," Lionel explained.
"Regardless, I absolutely refuse to believe that Dad is keeping a mistress," Kylie stated coldly.
Lionel initially believed the accusation, simply because it came from Rafael. However, after hearing Herbert's words and reflecting on them, he felt a mix of doubt and suspicion. This wasn't something Rafael had uncovered—it was the Capital Guard's investigation. While undoubtedly skilled, Carissa was still a woman in a man's world. She might have believed baseless rumors without proper investigation, like any gossiping housewife.
The Quinton family's recent prosperity had attracted jealousy and resentment, fueling unsavory whispers. It was entirely possible that someone, unable to bear the sight of Lionel's parents' happiness, had concocted the tale of Malcolm keeping a mistress. High society was full of jealous, malicious people with loose tongues.
"Regardless, we need to find out where Carissa got her information," Lionel said seriously. "Otherwise, Mom will be heartbroken, and Dad's reputation will be at stake."
Deep down, Kylie harbored animosity toward Carissa. Salvador had once wanted to bring Carissa into the palace as a concubine, but it later became clear this was political maneuvering to force the Hell Monarch to relinquish his military power. But Kylie couldn't forget the smoldering intensity in Salvador's eyes when he'd discussed it—an intensity she'd never seen, even when he looked at his favored concubine, Sylvia.
Salvador's interest in Sylvia was politically motivated. Her father, the Minister of Justice, held considerable sway in the government. Since Salvador's military influence was limited, an alliance with someone of Patrick's stature could significantly bolster his position.
Kylie had never been overly concerned about Sylvia's favored status. Any affection tainted by political motives wasn't true love. Her intuition told her Salvador felt differently about Carissa. The king's unusually complex glances at Carissa during the last palace banquet were telling.
Carissa had been in the royal study for nearly two hours. Although she had been granted a seat, she was anxious. Salvador had inquired about Cecilia, something not yet reported to him. Clearly, he'd sent someone to the Capital Guard to gather information beforehand, showing how deeply invested he was in the case.
When she first arrived, Salvador said something meaningful: "Women naturally support one another. While it's fine to assist one another, we must adhere to the truth and avoid favoritism. You are the first female official of our era. You cannot tarnish the dignity of women nor let the queen dowager down."
Carissa reiterated how the concubines and daughters had suffered under Eleanor's rule, used as pawns in others' schemes. Most hadn't followed Eleanor's orders or hadn't fully complied. She asked whether their cases could be handled more leniently.
Even if the court didn't act against them, most would still be expelled. Those expelled would be placed under the Capital Guard's supervision until the treason case concluded. Those remaining would be strictly monitored, with their households held accountable.
After some contemplation, Salvador accepted her reasoning but insisted on a deeper investigation into Cecilia's case, planning to address it personally.
Meanwhile, news arrived that Defense Minister Davis and Tyler Xavier, a commander stationed outside the capital, had arrived. They'd also dispatched someone to the Supreme Court to retrieve weapons confiscated from Harmony Palace, intending to compare them with those from the Ministry of Defense. The primary focus was on the armor's materials; a separate team examined the ballistae. The other weapons were merely for show, part of the ongoing investigation.
Note: Chapter 700 is listed at the end, but it appears to be a continuation of the same narrative, not a separate chapter. The "+25 BONUS" and "425 BOHUR" are unclear and have been omitted. If they have significance, please provide context.