Rafael quickly returned to Hell Monarch Estate and made his way to the council hall, where Everett was already sitting in the main seat, waiting for reports. Rafael instructed Jacob to gather information on the three female officials who had arrived this time. It was crucial to examine the details thoroughly.


    At Concord Lodge, Violet had drunk a lot of coffee and was beginning to feel ufortable. She excused herself and told the Westhaven guards stationed there to wait as she went to the inner chamber. Carissa also stood up to apany her. A maid who spoke Stellish was called over, and they were escorted toward the inner chamber. As they passed by the main courtyard of Concord Lodge, they noticed that the ce was brightly lit. Sounds of an argument could be heard from within. Carissa took a quick look and saw that most of the envoys were present, as well as the female officials from Lisandra''s side. There were easily a dozen or twenty people inside, arguing. Their voices weren''t loud, but some looked solemn, while others were clearly angry. Carissa only understood a few phrases in Westic, so she couldn''t catch the full meaning of the argument, but she very clearly heard the words "danger" and "very dangerous."


    She stopped, trying to listen further, but the maid urged her forward. Carissa and Violet continued toward the inner chamber, gradually distancing themselves from the main courtyard, where the sounds of the dispute faded.


    They exchanged a look, both of them filled with uncertainty. This didn''t seem like a discussion about the uing negotiations. Lisandra wasn''t present, and there were guards and maids around. One of them even wore the hat of a medical officer.


    By the light of the passingnterns, Carissa stole a nce at the maid, who had clearly just been brought out from the main courtyard. Her expression was one of quiet anxiety.


    Carissa thought back to Lisandra''s condition. She had heard that Lisandra had been vomiting during the negotiations earlier today, and wondered if the grand princess'' condition had worsened.


    Carissa turned to the maid leading them and asked, "Has Grand Princess Lisandra gotten any better? If not, we have a physician in the capital named Sebastian who—"


    Before Carissa could finish, the maid''s eyes brightened. "Sebastian Dalton? The renowned physician? Is he in the capital?"


    "Yes, he''s in the capital," Carissa replied, sensing that Lisandra''s headache had likely intensified. "Should we send someone to invite him to check on Grand Princess Lisandra?"


    The maid hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "No need, Your Grace. Her Highness has taken medicine and is already feeling much better."Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    "Is she truly feeling better?"


    Carissa couldn''t help but grow suspicious. Upon mentioning Sebastian, she had seen the maid''s eyes light up. But when she talked about Lisandra feeling better, her gaze seemed to flicker and avoid meeting Carissa''s. "Yes, Your Grace. Please hurry along. I must return to attend to the grand princess," the maid urged.


    Carissa had originally only apanied Violet, so whether she went or stayed didn''t matter much. She motioned for Violet to continue ahead and lingered behind.


    She said to the maid, "You''re one of Grand Princess Lisandra''s personal attendants, right? You''ve brought medicine with you on this trip,


    haven''t you? If you''re missing a


    ingredients, you can tell us and we''ll send someone to fetch them right away. You can trust us-we want nothing more than for Her Highness to recover her health."


    The maid nodded but didn''t speak much further, her expression still wary.


    Seeing this, Carissa didn''t press her and instead chatted casually, asking, "What''s your name? How long have you been serving Grand Princess Lisandra?"


    "My name is Aria," the maid answered. "I''ve served Her Highness since I was 11. It''s been 12 years now."


    "I never would''ve guessed you were 23. I thought you were only 17 or 18. Your name is lovely," Carissaplimented with a smile.


    "Her Highness chose my name," Aria replied softly.


    "I see." Carissa noticed Aria kept ncing toward the inner chamber, as though she were anxious to return. "Aren''t you supposed to be attending to Her Highness? Is she settled?"


    "Her Highness... is settled." Aria hesitated before continuing, "Um... You mentioned Mr. Dalton just now, Your Grace. Is he difficult to call on?"


    "It depends on who''s calling on him."


    Carissa was now more certain than ever that Lisandra''s condition hadn''t improved. She recalled hearing bits and pieces of the argument about "danger" and "very dangerous". She wondered if it was referring


    Lisandra''s condition.


    Furrowing her brows, she said seriously, "Aria, tell me. Has Her Highness truly gotten better? Is her condition dangerous? You''re her personal attendant, and you must know that we would never wish her harm." Suddenly, tears welled up in Aria''s almond-shaped eyes.


    "Your Grace," she cried, "Her


    Highness fainted after having a fit. The royal physician we brought said there may be a tumor in her brain, which is very dangerous. They''re arguing about whether to summon a Starhaven physician to examine her."