In the past, Augustus had been very fond of Chloe. By extension, he had also cared deeply for Eleanor.


    While Ruth was raising Eleanor, Augustus showered them with continuous gifts and rewards.


    Now, Ruth had be the grand concubine of Augustus'' concubines. Compared to Sigmund''s concubines, they were nearly inconsequential. Their primary concern was merely to continue living. Those of lower status who had not borne children were either consigned to be buried with the deceased or sent to nunneries.


    In terms of seniority, Augustus'' concubines were indeed among the oldest in the pce. Unfortunately, seniority did not hold much weight in the harem.


    Sigmund had sent Yuvan to his fief, but he had kept Ruth in the pce as a way to restrain Yuvan.


    Over the years, Yuvan seemed tock ability. He was foolish and infatuated with beautiful women, leading to him abandoning his wife for a concubine.


    So, Salvador had considered granting Yuvan a favor by allowing him to bring Ruth to Horizon Estate. He nned to issue the edict after New Year''s Eve.


    However, upon hearing about Avis passing, Salvador was displeased and decided to postpone this matter. After all, Eleanor was also considered Ruth''s daughter, and it would be appropriate for Eleanor to fulfill her duties as a daughter.


    Yuvan, apanied by his family, took their leave and went to visit Ruth in her residence. Coincidentally, Eleanor was there as well.


    Ruth''s hair was streaked with gray, and she was overjoyed to see her son return. After they had all exgbanged formalities, she eagerly summoned her family to her side and inquired about their wellbeing. Yuvan then approached Eleanor. "Eleanor, it has been a long time."


    The step-siblings were born just two days apart, in the same year and month.


    Eleanor replied, "It has been two or three years since youst returned to the capital, hasn''t it?”


    "Yes. Thest time I returned was because myte wife was handling the marriage of that Sinir girl," Yuvan said, his gaze growing cold and distant, no longer as pleasant as before.


    Upon hearing about Carissa, Eleanor grabbed her cloak and slowly walked out. Yuvan followed closely behind.


    "What''s wrong? Are you also displeased with that girl, Eleanor?"Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Not just dislike. I practically wish I could peel off her skin and pull out her tendons," Eleanor said coldly.


    Yuvan seemed thoughtful. "She is Hector''s daughter."


    At the mention of Hector, Eleanor''s eyes shed with intense hatred. The rage surged through her, causing a sharp, dull ache to spread through her limbs and body.


    Her voice was cold and merciless, "I will never forget how Hector rejected me."


    "That''s in the post. Remembering is enough. There''s no need to dwell on it too deeply, lest you hurt


    yourself," Yuvan said softly


    He still cared for his step-sister.


    "Hurt?" Eleanor sneered. "For him? Not at all! Everyone from the Sinir family should have died, but they''ve resurfaced. Carissa even married Rafael and is enjoying such glory. It''s truly irritating" Yuvan stood beside her, the ambition in his eyes unmistakable. "Glory is fleeting. Once the grand n is achieved, whether to kill or spare her-won''t that be entirely up to you, dear sister?"


    Eleanor suppressed her emotions and asked, "What is the situation in Stonebridge County?"


    Yuvan curtly responded, "Weck people, weapons, and armor."


    Eleanor frowned. The court had stringent controls over weapons and armor. It wasn''t something that could be bought with money alone.


    Yuvan added, "Let''s see what the Spencer family decides."


    The Spencer family in Ebonflow took on the part of the Ministry of Defense''s business of manufacturing weapons and armor. Naturally, there were Ministry of Defense officials overseeing the Spencer family''s factory.


    "If there''s a shortage of people,


    continue recruiting soldiers. Have


    Fiona contribute more money. Carissa tricked me into one of her schemes, so I lost over two hundred thousand silver coins. Currently, I don''t have much money left to mobilize."


    Eleanor exined the situation to Yuvan, who was infuriated upon hearing it.


    "Her again! When I arrived in the capital today, I first visited Hell Monarch Estate and found out that she had gone to Verdant Monastery. That was when I learned of that foolish woman''s death. I had no choice. but to inform the queen dowager and the king. Because of that, I must return to Valken early tomorrow morning."


    Eleanor was not surprised by Avis'' death.


    She remarked coldly, "When she was alive, she was of no help to you. Now, she chose to die at such an inconvenient time. It''s unlucky. I had even nned a banquet on the third day of the New Year and invited many civil and military officials. I was hoping you could make an appearance. Now, that''s all ruined."