The next day, Carmen and Greta arrived at Hell Monarch Estate to return the horse. They also brought along gifts of gratitude. Luke met with them, but after waiting for a while without seeing Carissa, they decided to take their leave.


    As they were leaving, they happened to see Violet.


    She greeted Carmen warmly, saying, "Ms. Lester, you''vee to return the horse? The people in the estate have been busy these past few days. Let''s talk and discuss martial arts in a few days."


    Carmen curtsied politely. "Thank you for your kindness, Ms. Spencer. I will certainlye to seek your guidance after some time."


    With a smile, Violet waved her hand. "You should head back now. I have my own tasks to attend to."


    As Greta and Carmen climbed into a carriage, Greta muttered, "Why take the long way around? You didn''t see the Hell Monarch''s princess consort today, but Ms. Spencer was quite enthusiastic. I think you should start with her. If you can get in good with her, you''ll have more freedom to go in and out of Hell Monarch Estate. That would be a significant step forward."


    Feeling a bit discontented about the dy, Greta continued, "Although your sister can be difficult, she does get things done efficiently. On the other hand, you''re quite soft-spoken. Do you still want to get your mom out or not?"


    "Sage Greta, can you speak to Mother and let me see my mom? Once I''ve seen her, I''ll do my best," Carmen pleaded.


    "Let''s wait a few days," came the response.


    Carmen persisted and bowed low. "Sage Greta, please just let me have one meeting. If you plead with Mother on my behalf, I promise I willplete my task.


    "Now is the best time. With Princess Kiera''s imminent wedding, things are chaotic. Right now, I can still go back to Harmony Pce. But if I catch Prince Rafael''s eye, they will definitely investigate me. By then, I won''t even be able to see my mom."N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Seeing that Greta remained unmoved, Carmen cried, her voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and indignation, "If I have to risk my life, I deserve a reward! I can''t rest easy serving Mother if I don''t know how my mom is doing!"


    Greta furrowed her brows, realizing that she needed to give Carmen some hope. After all, no matter how obedient someone was, they couldn''t bepletely controlled.


    A mom and daughter shared a bond. As long as Carmen saw her mom, she would be driven to do everything in her power to save her.


    "Wait a little longer. I''ll help you plead your case."


    "Thank you so much, ma''am! Thank you!" Carmen cried, her cheeks glistening with tears. "I will never forget your immense kindness."


    Greta''s expression was as stoic as ever. Even though Carmen was her apprentice in name, she was merely a tool in Greta''s eyes. She felt no pity at all for the younger woman.


    Rafael had already sent people to


    investigate the Lester family,


    Carmen, and Celeste, along with the brothel she had once been in.


    Although Eleanor had been rain ne


    Celeste in the pce, Samuel had met her in that kind of ce, so the brothel was likely involved in some unsavory dealings.


    Yesterday, Rafael had entered the pce to report the details of the rescue to the king. Salvador had praised him verbally and mentioned that Yuvan would be returning to the capital.


    Rafael saw that Salvador harbored


    no suspicion toward their uncle, and the king even sighed heavily as he said, "You know, I suggested taking Lady Ruth to Valken, but Uncle Yuvan insists that she has the court physicians looking after her here in the pce. He believes it''s safer that way.


    "He''s worried I might suspect him, so he prefers to keep Lady Ruth in the capital to reassure me. But I''ve never doubted him. His excessive caution only prevents their family from being reunited. He and Uncle Harvey are both overly cautious and timid, but I can''t me them. They''ve always been like that since Dad was on the throne."


    After hearing those words, Rafael stayed silent. There were some things that, if spoken by him, would take on a different tone. It could make Salvador suspicious of the wrong people and blind him to the real threats. However, action had to be taken.


    Yuvan''s return to the capital signaled a greater strategy at y, and most of his foundation in the capital stemmed from Eleanor. That aunt of theirs had pretended to be virtuous and upright for so many years. It was about time to have her true colors revealed to everyone.