Upon hearing Eleanor mention Carissa, Reba''s heart was thrown into turmoil. She was unaware of the past between Eleanor and Mnie, and assumed that Carissa''s recent achievements had made her valued by the royal family.


    Did this mean Eleanor was now favoring Carissa? Et the gentle expression on Eleanor''s face suggested otherwise.


    At a loss, Reba heard Isabe Miller, who was seated nearby, speak up.


    "Your Highness, all this talk of devotion is just for show. After the divorce, Carissa ignored her former mother-inw''s wellbeing. Where is the so-called devotion in that? Anyone can put on a show. Reba made such a scene at Northwatch Estate. If she weren''t forced into a corner, who would want to be embarrassed like that?" she said.


    Isabe was the queen''s sister-inw, and her husband held a third- rank official position, making him a key figure in court.


    As soon as Isabe spoke, others began to murmur in agreement.


    "Isn''t it just that she''s unting her military achievements and looking down on everyone else? She''s such an ungrateful person. Of course she''s despised by all." "Reba, I heard that when her family was killed, you took


    meticulous care of her, even staying by her side at night to prevent her from doing anything rash. You cherished your former daughter-inw, yet she doesn''t appreciate it."


    Reba was initially stunned by these remarks but quickly realized their implication. Thedies seemed to be contradicting Eleanor, but the grand princess remained unperturbed. There was even a vaguely amused smile on her lips.


    Clearly, thedies were echoing Eleanor''s sentiments.


    Reba understood now that Carissa would indeed be attending the banquet, and that Eleanor held a grudge against her. Eleanor had not invited Reba out of respect for Barrett''s achievements, but because she could use her to criticize Carissa.


    Realizing that Eleanor shared her disdain for Carissa, Reba felt a surge of excitement, as if she had discovered a kindred spirit.


    Putting on an act-wasn''t that Reba''s forte?


    With a sigh and a tearful look, she said, "Your Highness, you''re too kind. Sometimes, genuine intentions do not always beget genuine responses. I''ve done my part with a clear conscience-that is enough for me."


    Eleanor sighed sympathetically, wiping the corner of her eye. Reba, it must be tough for you. It''smonce for men to take concubines, but the problem is that a certain someone couldn''t ept a concubine despiteing from a noble family.


    "Compared to her, youdies here are in a different position. If your own husbands had taken a concubine, you might have just sought a divorce quietly. You wouldn''t have made a fuss in front of the king and asked for a divorce edict. To put it bluntly, Carissa considers herself above all others and thinks everyone is inferior to her. She doesn''t even care about the Warren family."


    Eleanor''s cryptic and sarcastic remarks made her attitude towards Carissa abundantly clear.


    Some of thedies present had visited Northwatch Estate and considered acting as matchmakers to persuade a man to marry Carissa, hoping to gain some favor and a title in return. However, now that Eleanor had spoken, thesedies no longer dared to take on the role of matchmaker.


    Even some of the counts, who were feeling their influence wane, had initially entertained the idea of getting their sons to marry Carissa to gain a title. But now, they quickly abandoned that thought. Regardless of Carissa''s true nature, the fact remained that she was not someone who would tolerate concubines. None of the presentdies would genuinely ept a concubine, but they didn''t want their sons to be denied the right to take one if desired.


    After all, if Carissa failed to bear a son, wildn''t that mean the potential end of their line?


    Reba seized the opportunity to voice her grievances, painting Carissa as arrogant, jealous, and disrespectful. She argued that if Carissa hadn''t returned with military achievements, she would have been universally condemned as a jealous, discarded woman.


    Reba, Eleanor, and Isabe were relentless, with the grand princess taking the lead in ndering Carissa. In less than an hour, Carissa quickly became a figure of universal scorn among mostdies. Some knew that Carissa was not truly like that, but remained silent to avoid being targeted by the collective disapproval.


    Although Carissa had not yet arrived, Dakota, Helen, Josephine, and the other concubines of thete king had already arrived. After all, Eleanor was their sister-inw. Victoria held the most authoritative power in the pce, and she had permitted them to attend Eleanor''s birthday banquet.


    With the presence of all the senior concubines, it was customary for the otherdies to rise and pay their respects.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Helen had been reluctant to attend. She and Eleanor had never been on good terms, and she had suffered quite a few grievances at the grand princess'' hands.