Leona rose and led Carissa outside, just in time to see Ruby being dragged by her hair by Violet. At this moment, Ruby''s arrogance and icy demeanor had vanished. Her face bore several distinct p marks, swollen and bruised from Violet''s harsh treatment.


    Noticing their approach, Violet pushed Ruby away with disgust. "Get lost!"


    Ruby struggled to maintain her bnce, but defiantly raised her chin to look at Leona. "Lady Leona, your guest is truly barbaric. But perhaps I should thank her, for my lord will now cherish me even more." With that, she clutched her abdomen and was assisted away by her maids.


    Leona''s face turned pale, and tears streamed down her cheeks.


    Carissa guided her back to her quarters, and offered her a handkerchief to wipe her tears. She sighed and said, "Is this how she''s been treating you? Leona, you are a prince''s daughter and a duchess!" Leona sobbed, "What use is being a duchess? He doesn''t rely on my parents for anything. And even if my parents wanted to help his career, they wouldn''t be able to."


    Harvey was a leisurely prince without real power. He was inept at managing affairs,cked substantial funds, lived off his fief, and was surrounded by a host of concubines. Also, all his concubines demanded luxurious living conditions.


    How could Leona''s parents support her?


    "Has she always been this audacious?" Carissa asked.


    "When she first arrived, she spilled tea on my shoes when serving me. I scolded her, and my husband reprimanded me," Leona said, her voice trembling with deep despair.


    "Cari, what should I do? I love him so much, yet he hurts me like this. I''m carrying his child, and he brings a courtesan into our home. Have you ever heard of a noble family''s heir marrying a courtesan?" Violet said, "Enough of this! The Earl of Gracehold''s household isn''t really a prestigious family. If not for that talented son they produced, they''d be in decline."


    Leona sobbed uncontrobly. "I used to think I was so fortunate. So many noble women admired him, yet he chose me. I know I''m not as beautiful as Ruby, but I am a duchess from the royal family. How can he disregard me so? Since Ruby entered the household, he hasn''te to my quarters, and when I suffer from pregnancy symptoms, he merely sends someone to inquire about my health."


    "There''s also his other concubine, thedy from the Wagner family, right?" Carissa said, gently wiping away Leona''s tears.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Nora is actually quitepliant.


    She only hoped to use her family''s wealth to secure a good marriage. As a merchant''s daughter, she entered the household with a dowry of fifty thousand silver coins, of which thirty thousand was given to Samuel to marry the courtesan. Nora epted it willingly."


    "Divorce him!" Violet said firmly.


    While she didn''t think divorce was a simple matter, Samuel was heartless and untrustworthy. He was truly not someone to rely on.


    Leona smiled bitterly. "Divorce? If I


    were to divorce him, my parents wouldn''t let me return home. Do you remember how you were treated during your divorce, Cari? They didn''t even want the gifts you gave me to add to my trousseau, considering it bad luck."


    "Doesn''t your family know how you''re suffering? Haven''t they talked to Samuel?"


    "They know. My father is aware, but he says that haying multiple wives is normal for men and told me not to be petty or jealous. While my mother also feels for me, she still tells me to endure saying that as Samuel''s primary wife, I''ll eventually be the matriarch of the household when he inherits his title. She says that when Samuel grows tired of the courtesan in a few years, he''ll throw her aside, so I should just bear with it for now."


    "Your parents are truly spineless!" Violet cursed.


    "But how can I endure this kind of life? If she only stayed in her quarters, it would be one thing. But Samuel dotes on her, and shees to harass me daily. She makes me ufortable by always bringing up their nightly activities, and...."


    Leona couldn''t continue and buried her face in her hands, crying in anguish.


    Even though she didn''t finish her sentence, everyone knew what she meant. Ruby''s provocations included unting her intimacy with Samuel and deliberately causing Leona pain.


    "Focus on taking care of yourself and the baby for now. After the child is born, you can deal with her slowly," Carissa advised.


    At the moment, she couldn''t offer much practical help, considering Leona''s fragile state.


    "I can''t deal with her. Even a single word doesn''t make a difference, because Samuel protects her. Even though Nora''s dowry provided the money Samuel redeemed her with, Ruby pped Nora just because of something she said," Leona sobbed.