Molly sent a notice to Silverstone Estate, stating that she would be visiting the next day. Upon recalling Carissa''s words, Zoey''s expression turned grave.


    After a moment of thought, she instructed Jane, "Prepare gifts. I need to make a trip to Hell Monarch Estate."


    "Madam Zoey, shouldn''t we send a formal invitation first?" Jane asked. "Going like this mighte off as a bit rude."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "No need for that. When I took Vi back with me, I mentioned to the princess consort that I woulde to apologize in person. So, this visit wouldn''t be seen as disrespectful."


    With visitors from Yuvan''s family arriving tomorrow, there was no time to wait for an invitation to arrange a meeting.


    At Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa noticed Zoey''s swollen face, the marks of fingers still clear on her skin.


    "Are you alright?" Carissa asked.


    Zoey smiled bitterly. "I''m fine. The injury is self-inflicted. No one at Silverstone Estate would dare to touch me."


    Carissa didn''t want to pry into her family affairs, but felt a pang of admiration as she observed Zoey''s exhausted yet dignified demeanor. A stable andposed woman to manage the household was vital for a noble family. "Actually, you don''t need to apologize," Carissa said. "It''s not a big deal. I didn''t think much of it, and it really shouldn''t be you doing the apologizing."


    After pondering this, Zoey decided to be straightforward. "Your Grace, my apology is just an excuse. I actually have something I want to ask you."


    Carissa lifted her cup and took a slow sip, her gaze drifting lightly over Zoey''s face. "Go ahead and ask."


    Carissa already knew what Zoey wanted to inquire about someone from Yuvan''s family must have sent a notice to visit Silverstone Estate.


    Every move Yuvan made upon his return to the capital was under Rafael''s watchful eye, with Travis himself leading the surveince. Such attention was fitting for someone of Yuvan''s status.


    Zoey tried her best to mask her anxiety, but the situation with Vi had drained her. She was starting to feel overwhelmed.


    "Your Grace, I''m sure you know that


    Lady Molly has sent a notice of visit to us. The


    the Southeof Silverstone is in


    Frontier. When Prince


    Yuvan returned from his fief, he first visited the king beforeing to Hell Monarch Estate. Now, he''ll be visiting Silverstone Estate. As a woman, I''m not familiar with the proper protocols for receiving guests of such stature. I would


    greatly appreciate your guidance."


    Her words were cleverly phrased, avoiding any potential pitfalls while making it seem as though she simply wanted to know how to properly host.


    But in truth, if it were just a regr royal visit, how could she not know the customary etiquette?


    Carissa set her cup down and


    smiled. "I suspect that either Lady Molly or Lady Fiona wishes to visit the esteemed matriarch of your family. Given that Lady Molly is a princess consort, the visit should be conducted ording to the protocols for receiving a princess consort. You''ve attended enough social gatherings, so I''m sure you understand the rules."


    "You''re absolutely right, Your Grace. However, if there are other matters at y..."


    Carissa cut her off with a lightugh. "There''s nothing else. The Earl of Silverstone''s family and Prince Yuvan have had little interaction in the past. It''s merely a standard visit."


    Zoey pondered the implications of Carissa''s words, particrly when she said there was nothing else. Zoey''s concern was precisely because there might be more involved. She sensed that many things were beyond her grasp.


    Yuvan had returned to the capital because of Ruth''s illness. But instead of being preupied with taking care of Ruth, they visited Hell Monarch Estate first. Then, after they saw Vi, they sent a notice to visit Silverstone Estate. If there was nothing more to it, Zoey would find that hard to believe.


    Having managed the inner workings


    of the Earl of Silverstone''s family for years, Zoey possessed a keen sense of observation and an innate ability to detect Tooming crises. In a city. filled with powerful families, such as dukes and marquesses who far outranked an earl, it was clear why they chose to visit her home.


    It was all due to Zoey''s husband holding military power in the Southern Frontier.


    "Mrs. Prince, there''s truly nothing else. Just treat them as you would any other guests," Carissa said, noting Zoey''s hesitance.


    She seemed to have guessed something, and Carissa acknowledged Zoey''s capabilities.


    With a decisive nod, Carissa added, "If you find Lady Molly agreeable and wish to befriend her, that''s entirely up to you. But if you feel that she''s beyond your station, keeping your distance wouldn''t be a bad idea either."