Heather was left speechless by Leona''s words. After a long pause, she tried to deflect some of the me


    onto the Avis


    "Avis is also Carissa''s aunt, and she was the one who acted as a matchmaker for them. Why hasn''t shee back? It shows that it''s not just me who''s cold-hearted-everyone''s like that!"


    Leona sighed. "It''s not like you''re unaware of Aunt Avis''s situation. She''s been ill, and likely couldn''t make the trip. Besides, she doesn''t have control over Prince Yuvan''s estate. It''s managed by his secondary concubine. It''s almost like she''s been kept under house arrest."


    Heather sighed in resignation. "Forget it. I won''t keep up rtions with your cousin in the future. You can maintain contact with her if you wish, as we can''tpletely sever ties. After all, she is Prince Rafael''s future wife. You may think we''re both princess consorts, but it''s not the same. Your father is ineffectual and cowardly. While Prince Rafael may not hold military authority now, he controls the Mystic Army and the Supreme Court. He does hold real authority."


    Leona was at a loss for words. Could her father really make a difference? During the reign of the previous king, the grace shown to them allowed them to stay in the capital instead of being sent to the provinces. If her father weren''t so ineffectual, they would have been sent to a remote location with no return permitted without an edict.


    Heather knew this well, but continued to bring it up.


    When a couple didn''t get along well, there was no peace in their home.


    Heather spoke of the tea party she had been invited to, and also expressed her grievances. She mentioned how she wanted to stand up for Carissa when everyone was gossiping about her. However, due to Harvey''s temperament, she dared not speak too much for fear of attracting trouble.


    In the end, it was aint about Harvey.


    Leona frowned, feeling that things were moreplicated than they appeared. She went out to find a maid who had apanied them, and inquired further,


    She learned that not only had her mother failed to speak up for her cousin, but she had even nodded in agreement with those who criticized Carissa. And now she was resentful that Carissa hadn''t sent her a painting from the exhibition at Northwatch Estate.


    Heather''s thoughts were never well hidden-her resentment was likely evident to everyone, including


    Carissa.


    Leona sighed. Although she was a newlywed and still learning about the intricacies of social etiquette, she knew that this was not the way to handle such matters-especially considering how much Mnie had cared for and favored Heather in the past.


    The next day, Leona feltpelled to visit Northwatch Estate to apologize on behalf of her mother. She really didn''t want to lose the rtionship she had with her cousin. Despite feeling an overwhelming sense of grievance, Leona found sce in visiting Carissa, Here, her heart found a moment of peace, a reprieve from her inner turmoil.


    Carissa was speaking with Kyle when she heard that Leona had arrived.


    5 1/2


    "Kyle, you should go and look around. I''ll have a chat with Leona," she said.


    "Go ahead," Kyle replied with a smile. "I promised to paint for Ryan today. You''ve already interrupted me quite a bit this morning."


    Carissa chuckled. "I''ve been counting money all morning. Just focus on painting for Ryan, and please don''t try to make me pose for you."


    Kyle rarely painted people. He had once witnessed Carissa kicking an apple tree, causing a flurry of light and dark pink petals to fall. He had captured her rough actions and grimaces in a painting, which had be quite popr at the Pathfinders Guild.


    Thinking of this, Kyle couldn''t help but smile indulgently. "Go on and do what you need to do."


    "Okay!" Carissa replied, turning to leave. Her steps, once so lively in Meadow Ridge, now seemed subdued.


    Watching her retreating figure, Kyle thought of how carefree Carissa had been in Meadow Ridge. It seemed those days were behind her, and he couldn''t help but sigh.


    Carissa couldn''t help butugh when she heard Leona was here to apologize, and she didn''t continue that line of topic.


    However, she noticed Leona''s deep frown and couldn''t help but ask, "Is your husband treating you poorly? Leona paused for a moment before forcing a smile. "He treats me well, Cari. Please don''t worry." "You''ve lost quite a bit of weight," Carissa remarked.


    "It''s cold, and I don''t have much of an appetite," Leona replied with a smile. "Isn''t it better to be a bit slimmer? My husband says I look better this way, with a waist so slender that it''s barely more than a sp. It makes people feel enchanted and mesmerized."


    Carissa frowned. Was Leona trying to emte the delicatedies from romance novels?


    Yet, she kept her thoughts to herself.


    After chatting idly for a while and sharing a cup of coffee, Leona grew anxious to leave. She exined that her mother-inw was unwell, and she needed to return to attend to her..This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .