Carissa responded with a thoughtful hum


    "If an ordinary women thought that way, I''d understand. But the Spencer family is a prestigious family from Ebonflow with a century long unbroken lineage, though their marriage matters areplicated because of your aunt''s elopement. Still, you''re from a prominent family yourself. Why ding to someone with a higher status? Wouldn''t marrying into a lower status family so you''d hold more authority in the marriage be a morefortable life?


    That''s why I say she''s foolish," Violet said, fastening the Mystic Pearl earrings on Carissa. Yuvan''s interest in the Spencer family isn''t as simple as it seems. He''s already left the capital this morning I wonder how he''ll handle your aunts funeral."


    Have people been sent to keep watch?" Carissa asked.


    "They have," Violet said, pinching Carissa''s cheek. "Smile a little. You haven''t smiled much these days. If had descendants, I''d want them to smile every day even after I''m gone."


    Carlosa swatted her hand away. "You don''t even have a husband. Where would your descendantse from?"


    Finding a good man is like looking for a needle in a haystack, Violet said, though her tone was listless. She had no interest in marriage at


    al


    Canosa might have married well, but the royal family was full of ridiculous troubles that she wouldn''t have it easy with


    As for Violet. Well, no man could match her, and she was quite content with that


    The New Year passed in a blur of hosting and being hosted. Soon, it was the fifteenth day of January, the Starfall Fes There were


    many celebrations and festivals, and Rafael nned to take Carissa to see the fireworkster in the evening.


    However, by noon, freezing rain began to fall..


    Snow would have been easier to manage, but freezing rain was a disaster.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    The fireworks would have to be canceled. Instead, they needed to focus on disaster relief.


    Although Rafael was the head of the Supreme Court, he was also themander of the Capital Guard and was extremely busy. He even had to send someone back to tell Carissa to stay put and not wander around.


    The weather was bone-chillingly cold, with water freezing into ice.


    In the backyard, the freezing rain had toppled several trees Helen had previously moved. There was a willow tree near the


    southeastern corner of the wall, which had also copsed halfway, bringing down part of the wall with it.


    The estate was also abuzz with activity. Fortunately, Jacob managed things with great efficiency, overseeing the orderly. clearing of fallen branches and broken bricks. Repairs would have to wait until the weather improved.


    The long-awaited fireworks were


    canceled, and with the added. burden of the freezing rain disaster it was obvious the public was frustrated. Moreover, disasters often attracted looters. With everything in such disarray, many families had their belongings stolen andined to the authorities.


    Ryan''s uncle, Anthony, was overwhelmed. He had to personnel from the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court to handle the flood of cases. However, there were many who took advantage of the situation, iming losses they hadn''t really suffered. Sorting out the truth from the false reports was quite


    challenging.


    The freezing rain continued for two days, and it took more than a month for all the official departments to get things under control. However, the damage extended beyond the capital.


    The freezing rain had affected areas all the way to Valken, with many homes crushed under the weight. The government had to spend money to provide disaster relief, offering temporary shelter to those who had lost their homes and preventing them from freezing to death.


    Yet, theck of clothing and food was another severe problem.


    Among the nobility, there was an elderly woman revered as a saint. She was the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill''s family, the yton family. Her name was Mary Grayson, and she was ny-three years old this year, though she remained quite healthy. Usually reclusive, the scale of the disaster


    caused by the freezing rain


    grandchildren and great-


    grandchildren to assess the damage and, upon hearing the reports,


    couldn''t sleep.


    The next day, apanied by several of her granddaughters-inw, Mary visited noble families to gather donations for the disaster victims. She had a high standing, and she had walked instead of sitting in a carriage in such cold weather.


    With her actions, who could refuse her request for aid?


    The extent of the donation varied, but the gesture itself held significant value When she arrived at Heil Monarch Estate, Carissa personally went out to greet her She weed Mary warmly, and offered hot lemon tea and stew to ensure thetterfort.