?


    At first, Violet tried to keep things rxed with her apprentices. After all, it was the New Year-what was the point of acting all high and mighty as their mentor?


    But when she saw the three couples treating her with such reverence, and when Max''s wife, Esther, personally took a cup of coffee from a servant and handed it to her, she realized that the role of a mentor had to be taken seriously. The other two women stood by Violet''s side attentively, as if she was their mother-inw.


    At that point, even Violet had no choice but to y her role. Still, she couldn''t help but wonder-did it really have to be this way?


    Back at the Inferno Guild, she wasn''t treated like this. Most of the time, it was her mentor who pampered her. As for serving refreshments, that was usually left to the new apprentices. What business did she, a senior apprentice, have doing that? But when she first joined, no one had treated her that way either.


    A sense of guilt stirred within Violet, and she found herself missing her mentor a little.N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    The next day, Travis packed uprge bundles and headed off for Meadow Ridge. This time, he took Leah and na along, as it had been a while and it was time to visit their mentor.


    The two women had insisted they wouldn''t ept any monthly stipends, but Leona had bought them many gifts- mostly fabric and some daily necessities for women, along with plenty of warm clothing.


    Originally, they had nned to ride horses back. But now, they were taking two horse-drawn carriages, both packed full with gifts. Even the exterior of the carriages was loaded with bundles.


    Since na and Leah didn''t want money, Carissa had given Travis extra funds, which he dly epted without hesitation.


    Travis had bought makeupst time, which earned him a good scolding from his mentor. But he didn''t let that stop him this time. He had his reasons-women had the right to beautify themselves. Whether or not they actually used the makeup was their business, but they couldn''t be without it. What if they wanted to use it someday?


    Even though Violet had warned him that if anyone used the makeup, they would face punishment, Travis didn''t care. If it meant looking beautiful, then it was worth the price. Surely, they would ept the punishment as long as they got to look good.


    Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Hell Monarch Estate continued to be as busy as ever, with new invitations arriving every day-either formal invitations to pay respects or requests for Carissa to visit others. Rafael had his own round of visits to make too, starting with his uncles and other family elders in the capital.


    First, he went to visit Hayden. The bustle at Willowbrook Estate was all for Chaya. Hayden''s son was now a county duke and couldn''t retum to the capital without a royal edict. Usually, Hayden quietly spent the New Year alone.


    However, the quiet atmosphere in Willowbrook Estate during New Year wasrgely due to his own preference for keeping to himself. The only exceptions were Rafael and Carissa, to whom he had extended his courtesy.


    After they had finished their meal and spent some time conversing with the elderly man, Rafael finally asked, "At the pce banquet, you mentioned Uncle Yuvan''s devotion to his mother. After that, everyone knew it was just a front he had put on. Why did you get involved in that?"


    Hayden knew more than he let on-Rafael had been aware of this for some time. But Hayden had never involved himself because his family was at their fief. Whether it was offending Yuvan or angering the king, it could endanger his family, so it was better for him to stay out of it.


    But bringing it up at the banquet had undoubtedly offended Yuvan.


    Hayden looked at him helplessly. "Would you believe me if I said I acted out of impulse?"


    "Impulse?" Rafael paused, exchanging a surprised nce with Carissa.


    That answer waspletely unexpected.


    With a sigh, Hayden continued, "You know what they say-never y games with the younger generation. Ever since that little chubby one showed up, I''ve felt like a fool. Watching Yuvan fawn over Ruth, only emerging at the banquet to pretend to be so devoted, was infuriating. I just couldn''t hold it in and blurted it out."


    Rafael was still trying to figure out who the "little chubby one" was, but when he saw Chaya enter with servants bringing refreshments, it clicked. He couldn''t help butugh.


    But there was no denying it-Chaya seemed to have gained a bit of weight.


    Rafael shook his head. ''Please don''t get involved in this any further. It doesn''t matter who gets offended. One side is reckless, and the other is full of suspicion. You should just enjoy your life. Spend time with whoever you like, and leave the rest alone."


    In matters like this, with Hayden''s status, he certainly had the ability to speak up, stir the pot, and even influence things. But when it came to the conspiracy against the throne, it was best for him to stay far away.


    "It was one mistake, but I won''t make it again. Don''t worry," Hayden assured, taking Rafael''s advice to heart.