Helen didn''t want to let Carissa leave so easily, at least not before she gave up the idea of marrying into the royal family. However, Carissa didn''t mind kneeling. Having been punished with kneeling plenty of times at Meadow Ridge, she had grown ustomed to it.


    She had no intention of currying favor with Helen, who already had plenty of people around her doing just that. Besides, Carissa''s marriage to Rafael was a mutually beneficial arrangement. There was no need for unnecessary ttery.


    In fact, Helen''s straightforward personality made her easier to deal with. She was fierce but not cunning, which was preferable to those who were two-faced.


    Carissa wouldn''t bully Helen, but she wouldn''t let her future mother-inw bully her either. It was much like when Carissa had to deal with Reba when she was still part of the Warren family.


    Before Barrett returned, Reba had always been kind to her, so Carissa naturally showed her respect. But after Barrett''s return and his decision to marry Aurora, Reba''s attitude changed, and Carissa no longer needed to endure it.


    As the standoff continued, a voice called out, "Mom!"


    Kiera entered the hall with her attendants.


    Kiera, who had just turned fifteen and recently had her debutante ball, was a delicate and charming girl with a hint of royal elegance. She wore a light yellow blouse and a matching pleated skirt.


    As she walked in, she stole curious nces at Carissa, who was still kneeling on the floor.


    Having heard from the pce attendants that Carissa, the female general, was at Evergreen Pce, Kiera had hurried over to see her.


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    She hadn''t expected to find her kneeling, seemingly at odds with Helen.


    Carissa looked up and met Kiera''s daze. Since she was already kneeling, she greeted, "Greetings, Your Highness."


    "General Sinir? Are you really General Sinir?" Kiera eximed excitedly, hurrying over to help her up. "Please, risel?


    "Kikil" Helen called the princess by her nickname, her expression. displeased. "Who allowed you toe here?"


    "Mom, I heard General Sinir was here and came to see her." Kiera pouted slightly as she helped Carissa to her feet. "How could you let General Sinir kneel here? She just returned from the battlefield and is injured."


    Helen rolled her eyes. "What''s so unusual about a general being. injured? Doesn''t your elder brother get injured often too?"


    "Don''t you feel sorry when he gets-hurt? General Sinir''s family would also be heartbroken if she were injured," Kiera replied.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Helen scoffed. "What family does she have left? They''re all dead."


    Carissa''s eyes darkened, and anger radiated from her.


    "Mind your words, Your Highness. My father and brothers sacrificed themselves on the Southern Frontier battlefield. And my family was massacred by Westhaven spies.


    "That was a great tragedy for Starhaven. Your flippant remark about. their deaths not only wounds me, but also pains the king of Starhaven, the entire court, and the people of this nation."


    Helen felt a headacheing on. She had never involved herself in state affairs, battles, or court politics-they always seemed distant and irrelevant to her. Hearing Carissa speak with such righteous. fervor, echoing her son''s sentiments, filled her with an inexplicable


    sense of suffocation.


    It was infuriating! She couldn''t even refute a single word.


    Helen waved her hand impatiently. "Leave, all of you. I need my


    afternoon rest.


    After saying that, she motioned for Gillian to help her away.


    "Farewell, Your Highness," Carissa said loudly as she bowed deeply.


    Startled by Carissa''s sudden loud voice, Helen stumbled slightly and nearly fell, but fortunately, Gillian''s strong grip steadied her. Helen was frantic and humiliated. It felt like she had been embarrassed in


    front of that little wretch!


    She straightened her headdress, lifted her chin, and walked away with Gillian''s support, maintaining her haughty demeanor. Carissa exhaled softly as she watched Helen leave. Her future mother-inw wasn''t difficult to deal with, just arrogant.


    Turning to Kiera, she saw the princess looking at her with admiration. Carissa couldn''t help but smile.


    "Your Highness, it''s been a long time."


    Kiera''s eyes widened in curiosity. "Have we met before?"


    "We met when you were a child. Do you not remember?"


    Carissa recalled that during one of Salvador''s visits to Northwatch Estate, he had been carrying a little girl on his back, who was none. other than Kiera.


    Kiera thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don''t remember.


    But she quickly brightened up, her eyes sparkling with joy. "General Sinir, I heard you''re going to marry my brother. Does that mean


    you''ll be my sister-inw? That''s wonderful!"