And that wretched woman currently favored by Leopold was Margaret''s niece. She was made his concubine and, like a breeding sow, already had a son and a daughter. Now, she was pregnant again and was expected to give birth in a few days.


    Returning now would only add to Jessica''s grievances. But with her mother''s orders, Jessica had no choice but to go back.


    The pride she once had, boasting about returning to her natal family, now seemed like a distant memory. No one came to pick her up, and she had to return alone, looking quite embarrassed. Taking Serena in as a concubine...


    That wretched woman had bore a son and a daughter, and was about to give birth again. Though Serena was foolish, her youth and beauty gave her an advantage. Jessica could let Serena deal with that wretched woman, and then benefit from the chaos.


    Even though Jessica thought that way, her resentment towards Serena was profound.


    Wretched, all of them-Jessica had brought trouble upon herself.


    Eleanor closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.


    Yuvan''s n to marry a daughter from the Spencer family as his new wife had been settled shortly after Avis'' death. The Spencer family was powerful and influential, with soldiers, weapons, and warhorses. She wondered what position the Spencer family''s daughter held within the family.


    Also, Oliver''s daughter had reached marriageable age and might be a good match. If Yuvan''s eldest son, Randall, married her, they would acquire the support of the Prince family. Oliver controlled the Hell Monarch Army and the Sinir Army.


    There were also the marriage arrangements for Stephanie and Sabrina, which would be best managed within the high society of the capital. Through strategic marriages, they could attract some important figures.


    But first, Eleanor needed a reason to bring Yuvan and his family back. For now, she couldn''t afford to focus on Jessica and needed to n carefully.


    -


    At Hell Monarch Estate, the lively atmosphere gradually faded as the guests departed. The servants quickly tidied up, and Carissa escorted Helen back to her quarters.


    Helen had enjoyed herself and had drunk a little more than usual, so her steps were somewhat unsteady.


    Carissa called out to a maid, and said, "Go and make a pot of sobering remedy for Mother."


    The maid responded promptly, "Understood, Your Grace."


    After the maid left, Carissa began to gently massage Helen''s forehead. "Are you still feeling dizzy?"


    Helen closed her eyes with a smile. "I''m just so happy, really overjoyed. Today''s banquet was exemry. Carissa, how did you manage such perfection? It was such a grand event, and you handled everything alone without bothering me once."


    Carissa''s lips twitched as she held back a smile. If she had asked Helen for advice, the result might have been chaotic.


    In her slightly tipsy state, Helen opened her eyes a crack and nced at Carissa. "Now, there''s no other regret. I just hope you''ll soon give me a healthy grandson, so I can enjoy the same delight as Lady Dakota."


    Carissa smiled. "Well, if I can''t give you one, would it be eptable for Rafael to marry a few concubines?"


    "That would naturally be..." Helen was excitedly about to agree, when she noticed her son standing at the door.


    His tall shadow loomed like a giant beast on the wall. She froze momentarily, but reassured herself that marrying concubines wasn''t wrong-every family did it.


    She forced a smile and said, "You''re so generous. It seems the rumors about you being jealous are just that—rumors."


    "Taking in concubines?" Rafael strode in, his voice icy. "I married you because you wouldn''t tolerate concubines. So, the rumors about you being jealous aren''t true?"


    "What?" Helen didn''t immediately understand. "You want her to be jealous? Why?"


    "Because I dislike having many women around me. I don''t want any secondary wives or concubines."


    Rafael''s gaze shifted from Carissa


    to Helen, his voice growing colder, "If she dares to arrange for concubines, I''ll raise hell with her from dawn till. dusk, even if it means going against the entire Pathfinders Guild or the martial world. I won''t stop, not even if the Pathfinders Guild members tuon me into mincemeat. There''s no way I''ll tolerate another woman around me. If she wants to try, she can go ahead and see what happens."


    Helen shivered, suddenlypletely sober. She stood up, and scolded, "What nonsense are you talking


    about? Saying something as unlucky as getting turned to mincemeat?


    your wife wants to arrange a


    concubine for you, that''s her being


    If


    generous. Why are you throwing a fit


    at her?"


    Rafael coldly replied, "Let her try to get me a concubine. If she does, I''ll bring down this estate and then tear down the Pathfinders Guild."


    "You''re insane! Pathfinders Guild is


    full of experts! How could you possibly take them on? Helen was so frightened that she moved forward and tried to cover hisExclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    mouth. "Just be quiet. Who el


    anything about taking concubines? Even if Carissa wanted to, would never allow it!"