However, Helen had been invited, Although she didn''t want toe, she couldn''t bear the thought of what stories might be spun about her if she stayed away.


    So, she gritted her teeth and showed up.


    When she heard the gossip out Carissa, she was enraged.


    Fortunately, no one knew that this woman was about to marry Rafael.


    If they did, and if Eleanor herself were to lead in making fun of her, Helen would have felt utterly humiliated.


    Helen sat to one side, deliberately ignored by Eleanor. Helen had no mind for conversation.


    It was Eleanor''s daughter, Jessica, who saw Helen and smiled. "Oh, you''vee too, Aunt Helen? What gift did you bring for my mother?


    Jessica''s question, directed only at Helen, clearly aimed to make her ufortable.


    Helen had expected to be challenged over this gift. Reluctantly, she said, "I heard you''re a devout Christian, Your Highness, so I brought a finely crafted gold cross as a gift. Please ept it."


    She signaled Gillian to present the gift to Eleanor. Eleanor took one nce, and said indifferently, "Though I already have several of these gold crosses, I appreciate your kind gesture. I will ept it." Helen was nearly driven to rage by Eleanor''s haughty attitude. She rolled her eyes, thinking that if Eleanor looked down on the gift, she shouldn''t have epted it.


    Yet, Helen dared not speak her mind. When it came to insul


    was no match for Eleanor. In terms of status, after thete king''s passing, Helen-once favored was how insignificant.


    Her most outstanding son had returned triumphantly. While she could boast in the pce, she felt constrained outside, fully aware of her son''s indifference towards her. It it weren''t for Salvador''s intervention allowing her to leave the pce and stay with Rafael, Rafael likely wouldn''t have agreed.


    Rafael''sck of respect toward Helen was her greatest sorrow. Despite his great aplishments,


    son had never sought to


    improve her status. Even though Helen''s sister was the queen dowager, she was still only an honored concubine, which was below the rank of noble concubines like Dakota and Josephine. So, Helen had to swallow her anger


    Eleanor said slowly, "I''ve heard that the king has shown mercy and allowed you to leave the pce to live with Rafael, Helen. It must be a touching reunion of mother and son. I haven''t had a chance to congratte you."


    Hearing this, Helen realized that even the imperious grand princess had to acknowledge Rafael''s achievements and, by extension, Helen could also share in the benefits as his mother. Helen allowed a smug smile to cross her face.


    "Rafael is respectful, and insisted on living with me. I thought it best to help manage the household. After all, with thends, estates, and shops we have, it would be difficult without ady of the house to oversee them," Helen said, her voice betraying a hint of satisfaction.


    Eleanor let out a softugh and smoothed the crimson skirt she wore, her eyes narrowing as she smiled slyly


    "Ah, such a wonderful son. But if he''s so devoted, why hasn''t he asked the king to promote your rank? After all, you bore thete


    He


    king''s son ande from a distinguished family. Also, your elder sister is the queen dowager. Now that Rafael has achieved such a remarkable feat by reiming the Southern Frontier, wouldn''t it be easy for him to speak a word in the king''s and the queen dowager''s presence to elevate your rank to that of a noble concubine?"


    Helen''s smile froze instantly. She could tell that this old woman was clearly up to no good-the remark was a direct jab at her pride!


    "You must be quite the failure as a mother if ev


    your own son


    doesn''t hold you in high regard," Eleanor said with a smile.


    The onlookers dared not openly criticize Helen, but stifled theirughter behind their hands.


    It fueled Helen''s fury.


    She struggled to control her temper. Even though she knew she would be at a disadvantage, she was about to explode.


    Just as she was about to erupt, someone announced, "Lady Sinir has arrived!"


    At the mention of Carissa, a variety of emotions flickered across. everyone''s faces-some sneering, some dark, some cold, and others. filled with delight.


    The only one who seemed genuinely pleased was Leona. She had been seething as she overheard the others''ments, but, constrained by her status as a junior, she had held her tongue.


    Upon hearing that Carissa had arrived, Leona quickly got up to greet her but was restrained by Heather.


    Heather had also been present and had remained silent about the gossip concerning Carissa.


    Helen''s mind reeled with the news.


    +15 BCAUS


    Carissa was here too?All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    She hoped that no one would discover Carissa''s imminent marriage to Rafael, or she would be thoroughly mbarrassed today!