Chapter 806

Violet stepped outside and asked, "What's going on?"

"Lord Malcolm once said Casey couldn't have children around her, but now he's sending the child here. As a minister, how can he be so indecisive? If he can't even take care of his own child, why have one at all? Children are always innocent," Carissa explained sharply.

Violet was equally outraged. "It's likely he said that on impulse. After reconsidering, he realized it wouldn't work, so he begged the abbess to take the child. But sending her here doesn't mean they can be together. It's just placing the child in the convent's care under the guise of orphanage. It's absurd—she has parents, yet she's being treated like an orphan. Is Malcolm cursing himself?"

"Forget him," Carissa replied. "We just need to take care of those we should. If the Quinton family won't raise the child, then she can stay at the convent. For Lady Marjorie, both Casey and this child are cruel reminders of her broken happiness."

"Is broken happiness still happiness?" Violet mused. "Does she really know nothing at all?"

"Only she knows the truth."

"By the way," Violet said, checking the roster, "Cecilia from Oakspire Estate hasn't shown up. Didn't she steal the blueprints? Is the king going to deal with her separately?"

Carissa's icy gaze softened slightly. "Lady Cecilia received twenty lashes, while Lord Gareth received thirty. His pay was docked for two years. But Lord Gareth took on Lady Cecilia's punishment, receiving fifty lashes in total. The punishment was carried out yesterday, and it nearly cost him his life."

Violet remarked, "At least that man has some responsibility. Compared to Malcolm, the difference is stark."

Carissa nodded. "True, but when people rise to high positions, they have to consider many things. Lord Malcolm has a great reputation and holds a significant court position. He won't allow even a hint of scandal to taint his name, so he can easily abandon those who threaten it. Lord Gareth does seem more responsible, but who knows if he'd still protect Lady Cecilia if he were in Lord Malcolm's position? Their circumstances are different. Lord Malcolm's situation involves a mistress, which he can't publicly acknowledge. On the other hand, Lord Gareth has a legitimate relationship with Lady Cecilia, and their children are recognized by the Duke of Oakspire's family."

Violet felt frustrated by the chaos. "In any case, not getting married is the best choice. When are we going to pick up Casey's child?"

Carissa thought for a moment. "Henry is set to be executed tomorrow, so let's go the day after."

Violet considered this and suggested, "Why don't we leave now, while it's still early? We can leave the inside matters to Claire and Michael. Michael may be a bit rough around the edges, but with Claire and the others looking after things, everything should be fine."

Carissa glanced at the sky. It was around mid-afternoon, meaning there was plenty of time.

"Alright then. Since she's at an apple farm outside the city, we can go there."