The weather today was truly perfect. The sun was just right, and the sunlight filtering through the branches made everything warm and pleasant.


    Helen sat gracefully in the main hall, receiving the guests'' congrattions. Luke, apanied by his staff, collected the gifts and recorded them meticulously. Each gift needed to be noted down, and its value assessed, so that an appropriate return gift could be prepared for future asions.


    Thedies were adorned in delicate makeup and draped in jewels that shimmered with an air of opulence, exuding a wealth that was beyond words. Helen''s smile had be somewhat rigid from the sheer number of well-wishers. She nced over at Carissa and saw that thetter remainedposed, her smile as natural as if it had sprung from her heart.


    Helen couldn''t help but admire Carissa''s ease. She handled such grand asions with an unppable grace.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Rafael and Jacob received the male guests in the main building''s reception room. Since it was Helen''s birthday, the main hall was reserved for her and the female guests.


    Due to Helen''s special status, the main courtyard and hall had been used for the event.


    Meredith and Henrietta arrived, as did Natalie, the prime minister''s wife, and Hannah, the defense minister''s wife. Mary, her daughter-inw, and her granddaughter-inw also made their appearances. Soon, Eleanor arrived with Jessica. Carissa took a nce, and saw a familiar face.


    Serena? She hade with Eleanor and Jessica?


    That added an interesting twist.


    When the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill''s family arrived, Carissa helped Helen rise to greet her. The elderlydy was advanced in years and rarely attended such social gatherings, but today she had honored them with her presence, so Helen made sure to personally wee her.


    Mary entered amidst a throng of daughters-inw. No one knew how powerful the family really was, but they certainly had plenty of people. Mary was over ny years old, and everyone present stood to greet her. Even the high princesses present at the banquet nodded slightly out of respect.


    "Oh, there''s no need for that!" Mary quickly returned their gestures with a smile. "Today is Lady Helen''s birthday celebration. I''m just an old woman here for a good meal."


    Meredith smiled and said, "Madam


    yton, during the freezing rain disaster, you stepped forward and raised a substantial amount of


    money, sending numerous quiltet


    and food to the disaster-stricken areas. The people there were no longer suffering from the cold and hunger because of your generous efforts. Your benevolence and dedication make us, the royal princesses, feel deeply ashamed."


    Mary responded, "It was just a modest effort on my part. Please don''t speak of it as if it were a great achievement. I cannot bear such


    praise. What I did was trivial


    contributions of thete Duke of


    Northwatch and General Dominic, as


    well as the Hell Monarch, who


    safeguarded the kingdom and


    reimed territories. So, let us not dwell on it."


    Her humility earned her the respect of everyone present.


    Helen felt a bit anxious. It would be better if Mary saved those words for when Dakota arrived, so she could hear just how much Helen''s son and daughter-inw had aplished. Helen was eager to see the jealous, twisted look on Dakota''s face.


    However, just as Mary finished speaking, Dakota entered with Adide, holding her grandson in her left hand and her granddaughter in her right.


    The little children were so adorable and sweet that it made people jealous.


    Helen could hardly tolerate Dakota. What was she trying to do, unt her grandchildren? If it weren''t for Rafael being on the battlefield, Helen would be holding grandchildren herself. Due to Dakota''s esteemed status, the officials and their families all rose to pay their respects.


    Eleanor asked, "Why have only youe, Lady Adide? Where are Lord Kendrick''s concubines?"


    Adide replied with a smile, "Lady


    Inez''s child is still young, and Lady Matilda is pregnant, so it''s not convenient for them toe hope you will understand their absence, Lady Helen."


    Everyone extended their congrattions, but Helen''s eyes burned with jealousy.


    Another child? Was the prince a breeding sow? Just a few years into the marriage, there were already four or five children.


    Eleanor remarked with a smile, "Lady Dakota, you''re truly fortunate. Even at such a young age, you''re already surrounded by grandchildren."