Violet and Carissa shuddered at the thought. To throw a newborn baby to its death was an act of unimaginable cruelty.


    Carmen managed a bitter smile. "Such things... who knows how many cruel and vicious secrets are hidden in the grand princess'' inner pce? I once had a younger brother. When my mom was pregnant, she was sure it was a boy.


    "She knew my dad couldn''t protect her and that the grand princess wouldn''t allow a boy to live. Boys were doomed from the start. So, my mom wanted to escape, but the grand princess had people watching her. Once you enter the grand princess'' inner pce, the only way out is as a corpse."


    Carmen wiped her tears and continued, "My dad promised to help her escape. My mom believed him and waited for a chance. When the time finally came, it was almost toote, but she finally had a chance the grand princess was out for a banquet and wouldn''t return untilte."


    "Did she manage to escape?" Violet asked, both angry and anxious.


    "She did escape, but was caught halfway. My brother was born in the carriage, and they didn''t even cut his umbilical cord. When they were dragged back to Harmony Pce, my mom and brother were pulled across the ground all the way to Fragrance Courtyard. By the time they got there, my brother had stopped crying. His skin was torn, and he was just a bloody mess. He wasn''t even breathing anymore," said Carmen.


    Carissa, Rafael, and Violet had seen the brutality of a battlefield many times. However, that was a war between nations, where lives were exchanged and cruelty was unavoidable.


    But now, they were talking about a grand princess'' inner pce-how could shemit such insane and vicious acts? How cruel and twisted could a person''s heart be?


    Carmen looked at Carissa, her smile full of despair. "You haven''t seen my mom or the other concubines in Harmony Pce. If you did, you would understand why the grand princess treated them that way." Goosebumps erupted all over Carissa''s skin as she came to a sudden realization.


    "Could it be that they all resemble my mom?" she asked sharply.


    Carmen''s tears fell freely. "That''s right. My mom was mistreated so horribly because she resembles Madam Sinir. The grand princess gathered every woman who


    resembled Madam Sinir an


    made them my dad''s concubines. She humiliated them, tortured them, and took out all her hatred for Madam Sinir on them."


    Carissa clenched her fists, a glimmer of ruthless intent in her eyes.


    Violet''s face turned ashen, her voice seething with anger as she dered, "We''ll kill her!"


    Grasping Carissa''s hand, Rafael turned to Carmen and asked, "What is your mom''s name? What is her connection to the Lester family that Greta mentioned?"


    Since Greta had provided a specific address, they would need to verify it upon returning to the capital. If the verification didn''t match, they would doubt Carmen''s words, and Eleanor''s n would be jeopardized.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    "My mom''s name is Mnie Lester. The Lester family is my mom''s natal family. They were also coerced and enticed by the grand princess. Moreover, as merchants, they couldn''t possibly stand against Grand Princess Eleanor," Carmen replied.


    "Carissa, your mom''s name is Mnie Sullivan," Violet said angrily.


    Still on her knees, Carmen pleaded, her voice choked and broken, "Just because they share the same name in addition to looking alike, my mom endured even more suffering than other concubines.


    "Your Grace, I swear that if you can


    save my mom, I will repay you with my life. I have no other option but to beg you know you do not like Grand Princess Eleanor either. We can join forces. Whatever you need from me, just give the order I will face any danger for you."


    Carissa helped her up. "You wille back to the capital with me and follow their n for now. I don''t fully trust you yet. I need to investigate once we return. But if you''re sincere, tell me what''s hidden in the western courtyard of Harmony Pce?"


    Previously, Carissa had thought the western courtyard might be where the concubines were hidden. But if it were only concubines, it wouldn''t be so heavily guarded.