A carriage rolled out of the city, carrying Daniel on a trip to Serenvale. He was in a hurry as there had been a few issues at a factory there. Though it was nothing too serious, his dad had insisted he go personally to handle it.


    Daniel had been living in Serenvale for some time, but since his wife was pregnant, he had sent her back to the capital to prepare for childbirth. He figured he could hand off the factory''s affairs to the shopkeeper and return to the capital to pursue some other business ventures.


    Having married at twenty, he was already a father with two sons, so he hoped they would have a daughter this time. In his family, taking a concubine was rare, and he had no ns to do so. He shared a deep bond with his wife, whom he had always brought along on business trips. Now, as their focus shifted back to the capital, their little family of four-soon to be five-would settle in the city.


    Daniel hadn''t visited Carissa, but had gone to the academy to see Ryan. His teacher was now the main lecturer there, so he could easily visit the academy.


    He hadn''t gone to Hell Monarch Estate because his business had yet to stabilize. Theodore had advised him not to make any visits until his business was secure, to avoid any rumors that the Hell Monarch''s household was helping the Sinir family''s business. Theodore was wise. He knew that prominent figures were often wary of too much association with merchants or powerful officials-even if they were family. usations could easily arise, so it was best to avoid the appearance of impropriety. If not careful, such connections could lead to ruin.


    Thedore was very insightful, so everyone in the family asked for his advice when doing business and listened to what he had to say. The older man had advised them to maintain a distance during prosperous times and offered assistance when they fell on hard times. True families didn''t thrive or suffer together. Each had its own strengths, which allowed them to support one another when it mattered most.


    As the carriage rolled out of the city, dust kicked up behind it. The dust gradually settled, but no one noticed that the coachman had changed. When the carriage reached a secluded area, the curtain was lifted, and both Daniel and his servant gasped in unison when they saw a stranger. "Who are you?"


    A couple of muffled groans followed before the carriage continued to move forward. The original coachman had taken Daniel''s ce in the carriage, leaving him and Daniel''s servant unconscious inside.


    -


    At Harmony Pce, Kurt reported, "Grand Princess Eleanor, the man has been brought back. Should we ce him in the dungeon?"


    Eleanor was copying scriptures when she looked up at Kurt. After a long pause, she said, "Don''t put him in the dungeon. ce him in Orange Blossom Hall."


    "Understood, Your Highness."


    "Prepare some muscle-rxing powder for him."


    "I will, Your Highness. However, he hasn''t woken up yet."


    "Very well. Set things up first and send someone to attend to him. I''ll go check on himter," Eleanor instructed.


    "Yes, Your Highness!" Kurt saluted and exited the room.


    Eleanor remained still for a while, then resumed her copying as she murmured, "May the gods ensure Hector Sinir and Mnie Sullivan never meet in this life or the next..."


    As she continued, her thoughts led


    her to write two questions over and over-Did the gods understand the anguish of loving someone one couldn''t have? Did the gods know the despair of loving what one couldn''t possess?


    She kept writing those lines, as if writing the words might bring her some sort of answer. When the


    page was finally filled, she stared et


    nkly at it for a long time. Then, she tore the paper into shreds with a t look, crumpling the pieces into a ball and tossing it onto the floor.


    l.ne


    Over the past two years, Eleanor had felt increasingly restless and agitated, the root of her turmoil being an overwhelming emptiness It felt as if her heart had been hollowed out or tightly wrapped up, like a silkworm cocooned inyers of silk She struggled desperately to break free, but no matter how hard she fought within that cocoon, she couldn''t poke her head out.


    The constriction was suffocating.


    In Orange Blossom Hall, Daniel slowly regained consciousness, but everything around him felt foreign.


    A strange bed, unfamiliar curtains, and unknown furnishings filled the room.


    He had no strength in his body, and his mind was clouded and chaotic.


    He opened his mouth to call for his servant, "Walter..."


    He thought he had called out loudly, but the sound was barely more than a whisper. His voice was even trembling at the end.


    Panic gripped his heart.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    What was happening? Had he encountered thieves?


    Turning his head, he scanned thevishly furnished room. There were soft, luxurious drapes, arge partition screen adorned with peonies, and a full vanity set. The ce didn''t resemble a thief''sir at all. In fact, it seemed more like a woman''s bedroom.