Hell Monarch Estate was bustling with activity today. Most officials and military officers of the fourth rank and above were there. Those who weren''t present were either at Silverstone Estate or Valor Estate. However, the main topic of conversation at Hell Monarch Estate wasn''t Carissa, the new princess consort, but rather the group of martial artists led by Adrian. His presence alone was enough to spark private whispers and spection.


    Who was Adrian Russell?


    The Russell family had once been a powerful family in the capital, but they eventually withdrew from the circles of power to establish their own guild. Some insightful individuals imed that, although there was no formal leader of the martial arts world, Adrian''s position was essentially equivalent to that of a leader.


    Why?


    Because Adrian was both wealthy and highly skilled.


    Hisbat skills were exceptional-one could only guess at the extraordinary experiences that had honed his abilities to such a level.


    As for his wealth, it was beyond measure. Having umted their fortune over generations, The Russell family had bought so muchnd and property that even Adrian might not be able to keep track of it all.


    a


    Just look at Meadow Ridge. It wasn''t just a single piece ofnd-it stretched for hundreds of miles, with countless estates and fields. Adrian also owned any properties elsewhere, including numerous shops in the capital.


    The people he had brought with him today were unlike the typical martial artists one might expect. Theycked the rough, unruly demeanormonly associated with such individuals, disying a sense of refinement and propriety instead.


    This shattered themon people''s preconceptions about martial artists.


    Themon people had always thought of martial artists as mere brutes, not worth much consideration. After all, many apprentices from various guilds were merely bodyguards or protectors-hardly worthy of high regard.


    The second most talked-about topic was the dowry the Pathfinders Guild had brought.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    The dowry items were disyed for everyone to see. It included numerous chests filled. with gold bars and ingots. The purity of the gold was unquestionable, familiar to those used to handling such treasures. As for the rare and exotic treasures, some were things they had never seen before.


    Just take the Mystic Pearls-howrge were they? To put it into perspective, if anyone even owned a single one of those, it would be the talk of the town for quite some time. But here, there were four or five jars full of them.


    This wasn''t just a dowry-it was clearly meant to support the Hell Monarch''s princess. consort for ten lifetimes. Even if Rafael took many concubines and wives in the future, filling his home with children, they would never be able to shake Carissa''s status as the primary princess consort.


    Even Helen was astonished. Overwhelmed by her love for these precious items, her hands trembled as she examined the dowry, and she kept muttering, "Oh, Heavenly Lord. However, when Rafael led his bride out to make the ceremonial toasts, Carissa. immediately became the center of attention.


    It was said that when angered, a man would go to great lengths for a beautiful woman. In this case, many would agree that the beautiful woman in the saying referred to Carissa.


    Today, she shone with an almost otherworldly beauty, like a dazzling gem. Wherever she went, whether among the distinguished gentlemen or youngdies, all eyes were irresistibly drawn to her. Especially when she blushed and smiled shyly, it was as if everyone''s gaze was maically fixed on her.


    Many of the royal rtives and officials present had seen Carissa before, at the celebration feast after the soldiers returned victorious from the Southern Frontier.


    At that time, describing her as messy wouldn''t have been enough to exin her appearance. The people present that day had preferred to keep their distance to avoid being affected by her presence. Her skin had been tan, dry, and peeling. It had been better to not look at her at all.


    Who could have imagined she would turn out to be so stunning-a beauty who could captivate a nation, breathtakingly exquisite, and enough to make anyone''s heart flutter?


    Everyone was puzzled. They had seen what Aurora looked like, and wondered how Barrett could bear to abandon such an exquisite wife for another woman. It was truly baffling.


    Carissa''s flushed cheeks were not due to makeup, but because of a certain someone holding her hand.


    So, this was what holding hands felt like.


    When Rafael had gone to Northwatch Estate to escort her, he had held her hand. However, she had been reeling from so many emotions then, so the feeling hadn''t registeredpletely. But now, as they moved from table to table, he never once let go of her hand, their fingers always intertwined.


    Having drunk quite a bit, Rafael''s face was flushed. From her angle, Carissa could see his profile and the line of his jaw. She warned herself to not look any longer, or her heart might no longer belong to her alone.