?


    Even Carissa shot Hayden a nce.


    Hayden said that he now realized Yuvan was a dutiful son, which meant thetter hadn''t always given that impression. At least, that was how it sounded to others.


    Yet, among the royal family, this revtion left everyone puzzled. After all, Yuvan had always been dutiful. Each year, he submitted a request to return to the capital to visit his mom. Sometimes, it was approved, while other times, it was denied. It had been that way even back when thete emperor was still alive.


    Such dedication-how could it not be moving?


    But on a day like today, when spirits were high, not many paid much attention to Hayden''s words. Salvador, however, cast Yuvan a meaningful look.


    Yuvan''s expression changed slightly before he smiled as usual and said, "Our ancestors ruled with kindness and devotion. How could I dare not be dutiful to my parents?''


    Rafael nced at Hayden but remained silent, continuing to enjoy his meal with Carissa.


    After the pce banquet, the women went off to watch a y. The theater had performances lined up all through the New Year, continuing until the eighth day of the celebrations. It was nice to pass the time watching the ys- at least it made the hours fly by.


    Though Sylvia returned to her quarters as she was pregnant, Victoria stayed with them for a while. Carissa was usually busy and rarely had the chance to visit her. Since she was finally in the pce, Victoria took her hand and chatted warmly.


    Dakota was sitting nearby and asked, "You''ve been married for a while now. Why haven''t you gotten pregnant yet?


    Carissa hated dealing with such questions. The decision of whether to have children and when to do so was something for her and Rafael to decide together.


    Before she could respond, Victoria interjected, ''She''s only just be themander of the Mystic Army. Why should she rush into pregnancy? A man should prioritize his career, and a woman should be the same."


    Carissa had always found Victoria''s views refreshing.


    The older woman encouraged women to be self-reliant. When Aurora joined the military and achieved sess in subduing bandits, Victoria was overjoyed. She held Aurora in high regard and even said she was a role model for women everywhere.


    Just like now, Carissa was taken aback by Victoria''s statement that women should prioritize their careers. If anyone else had said it, she might have thought they were against Rafael having children. But since it came from Victoria, Carissa believed she truly meant it.


    Helen was engrossed in the y, but chimed in, ''Exactly! Why worry about having kids? You''re the one making a fuss. I haven''t even pressured her."


    Dakota made a half-heartedment, but both Victoria and Helen shot her down, leaving her feeling bored and choosing to remain silent.


    Meanwhile, Heather, who had been quiet until now, leaned over several people to ask Carissa, "Carissa, I heard you''ve opened an embroidery workshop for abandoned women."


    "Yes, I have," Carissa replied nonchntly.


    "You named the ce Skye Embroidery. Is it named after thetedy from the Warren family? I recall that was her middle name." Heather leaned in a little closer. "But she''s dead. Isn''t it bad luck to use the name of a deceased person?"N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Carissa shot her a nce. "It''s bad luck to divorce, and now it''s bad luck when someone''s dead. In your opinion, everything is bad luck, right? Perhaps you''re just unlucky yourself, so you see everything as a bad omen."


    Victoria frowned at Heather. "Why are you bringing up the Warren family on New Year''s Eve? Are you trying to bring bad luck upon yourself? If you don''t have anything nice to talk about, just keep quiet and enjoy the show."


    Dakota felt a sense of bnce retum-Victoria was close to scolding Heather outright.


    Dakota set aside her previous irritation and asked, "Is Prince Harvey feeling any better? Why haven''t you called for the royal physician? Someone could go over and check on him."


    "No, that''s fine." Heather quickly waved her hand. "He... he''s feeling much better now."


    Penelope, who was sitting beside her, flinched at Heather''s frantic gesture, puzzled by such a big reaction. It was just a matter of having a physician check in. Was there something embarrassing about it?


    Carissa nced at Heather but then shifted her focus back to the stage.


    Was Harvey really too sick to attend tonight?


    Earlier, they had spected he might not have dared to show up. From their observations, however, Harvey seemed to have a far deeper scheming nature than Yuvan.