On the twenty-second day of December, Kyle indeed left.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Carissa held onto his sleeve as she saw him to the door. The biting cold wind whipped around them, and the overcast sky suggested that snow was once again imminent.


    Carissa sighed inwardly.


    Even Kyle was leaving. She could only hope for clear weather on her wedding day. If it didn''t snow, at least the bridal carriage would have an easier time moving. She had no other extravagant wishes.


    Kyle smiled and said, "I''ve ordered some jewelry for you at the Gilded Tower. Send someone to collect it. The payment has already been made, and the receipt is with Frederick."


    "I''ll have Frederick go overter," Carissa replied, watching as the stable hand brought out Kyle''s horse. She couldn''t help but feel a pang of sadness. "You''re really in a hurry to leave? Can''t you stay a couple more days?"


    "No, it''s urgent," Kyle said, gently rubbing her forehead. "We''ll see each other soon enough. Aren''t you nning to go back to Meadow Ridge?"


    "Yeah!" Carissa nodded, and added, "Then be careful on the road."


    "I got it. No need to see me off. Go back inside, Kyle said as he took the reins, mounted his horse, and waved at her. "Go on back."


    Carissa shook her head. "I''m going to see you off."


    Without further ado, Kyle spurred his horse and rode away.


    Carissa stood at the gate, watching Kyle leave, her heart heavy with unspoken disappointment.


    How had everything they nned so carefully fallen through?


    Her mood sank to a new low.


    After returning to the house and sitting for a while, she asked Frederick for the receipt from the Gilded Tower and set out with Lulu to collect the jewelry Kyle had ordered for her.


    The Gilded Tower was quiterge, with two connected storefronts and both a ground floor and an upper floor. The name of the store was simply "Gilded Tower."


    They sold not only gold jewelry, but also other types of precious gems and ornaments. The designs were decent, though they couldn''t quitepare to those of the Golden Tower.


    The Gilded Tower had been open for only a few years, and seemed to be trying to capitalize on the Golden Tower''s reputation. However, their backers appeared to be substantial, and their business was doing well.


    Carissa handed the receipt to the manager on the first floor. The shopkeeper ordered someone to serve refreshments and asked her to sit for a while he personally went to retrieve the item


    The shopkeeper, who looked as thin as a monkey, moved quickly. In no time, he returned with a box and handed it to Carissa.


    "Please inspect it, mydy," he said.


    Carissa opened the box and found arge gold bracelet inside. It was the kind of shy, garish gold bracelet that looked almost tasteless.


    Kyle had a refined taste, so she had high expectations for his gift.


    But this...


    The only redeeming feature was that it was indeed quiterge and heavy. When worn on the wrist, it gleamed with a golden brilliance. It lookedpletely like something a nouveau riche would wear.


    The shopkeeper''s borate reception was likely due to the bracelet''s size and weight. Carissa felt a pang of disappointment, but she reminded herself that it was the thought that mattered.


    She tried on the bracelet briefly before quickly removing it and cing it back in the box. The Gilded Tower was quite crowded, and she didn''t want to be seen by too many people.


    As she handed the box to Lulu, she happened to run into Evelyn.


    "Good day, Madam Prince," Carissa greeted respectfully.


    "Lady Sinir," Evelyn responded with a faint smile. "With your wedding approaching, why are you still out and about?"


    "I''m just picking up something." Carissa replied.


    Evelyn stepped closer, and said softly, "Lady Sinir, could we have a word in private?"


    Noting the gentle and almost pleading expression on Evelyn''s face, Carissa agreed.


    "Certainly. There''s a coffeehouse next door. Let''s go there."


    They requested a private room at the coffeehouse, leaving Lulu and Evelyn''s maid outside.


    Once seated, Evelyn spoke first. "I haven''t had a chance to congratte you yet. I wish you and His Highness a lifetime of happiness and many children."


    "Thank you," Carissa responded graciously. "And congrattions on your daughter''s marriage to General Warren. I pray it goes smoothly."


    Evelyn smiled bitterly. "Thank you. When I visited Northwatch Estate with my daughter that day, it was truly out of necessity."


    Carissa reassured her, "There''s no need to be so formal, Madam Prince."


    Evelyn nodded. "I understand. Lady Sinir, you concealed some of the truth that day. In fact, we knew that before you left the Warren family, they had intended to im half of your dowry."