At Carissa''s words, both Wayne and Fiona''s expressions shifted slightly, as if they hadn''t expected her to deny that the woman was Violet.


    Carissa turned her gaze toward Fiona and changed the topic. "It seems your earlierments were a bit odd, Lady Fiona. Why should I thank you? What rtionship does that woman have with me?"


    Fiona''s expression stiffened, and she faltered. "Well... then, Your Grace, you have even less reason to be holding His Highness hostage. We''re all family, and making a scene like this doesn''t do anyone any favors." Carissa smiled, but it was a cold one.


    "Then, I apologize. It turns out this was a misunderstanding." She didn''t release Yuvan, but kept her gaze fixed on Fiona. "However, why were these men in ck staying near the western mountain pass? Are they from Prince Yuvan''s household?" "Yes, they escorted His Highness back to the capital. Edgeview Estate couldn''t amodate so many, so they were ced outside the city," Fiona replied.


    Wayne was about to speak, but Carissa interrupted, "They''ve been staying outside the city all this time, so how did theye to know Violet? Judging by their martial arts skills, are they perhaps the estate''s guards? Why are these guards dressed in ck? Is there something shady going on?"


    Fiona''s face tightened as Carissa pressed on, catching her off guard.


    Wayne shot a look of reproach at Fiona before trying to shift the conversation, saying, "Your Grace, perhaps it''s time to release His Highness now."


    Yuvan had been held by the neck, alternately loosened to allow him to breathe and tightened to induce suffocation. After several cycles, he was dizzy and his vision blurred.


    "Of course, I will release him," Carissa said with a calm smile, though she made no move to let go.


    Her eyes narrowed, bing much moreposed.


    "You''ve gathered here with so many people in the middle of the night. You''re not staying at an inn or a post station. Though it''s along a main road, it''s still a remote area. And with the garrison outpost nearby, it makes one wonder what you''re plotting.


    "Surely you didn''t foresee that the woman from earlier would need saving, did you? So, let''s wait for the Supreme Court and the Capital Guard to arrive. That way, we can exin everything thoroughly and avoid causing unnecessary rumors and suspicions among the officials."


    Without making it about Violet''s situation, Carissa skillfully turned the focus onto their suspicious gathering near the garrison outpost. It was a delicate move-they hadn''t chosen to stay at any inns although women were traveling with them. Then suddenly, there were unfamiliar ck-d men appearing close to a military outpost. It was a setup that could easily fuel rumors, and those could quickly spiral out of control.


    The king and the entire court may not have cared much about a woman being vited, but if Yuvan was gathering troops near a military outpost in the dead of night, it would be a matter of grave concern. Such an incident would demand attention and would surely draw a great deal of scrutiny.


    ire quickly regained herposure and cried loudly, "Your Grace, my friend and I discovered they were camped here. That''s why we came to investigate. We didn''t expect them to capture us! We had no idea what they intended to do." So, it wasn''t Violet that mattered, but the fact that they were amassing troops here with ill intent.


    Wayne''s face paled, his expression filled with helplessness. "If you insist on twisting the truth like this, there''s nothing I can do, Your Grace."


    "Of course you can''t do anything," Carissa sneered coldly. "What can you do at this point?"


    "Carissa, you are wrongfully using me-" Yuvan began, but his words were cut off as Carissa''s fingers tightened around his throat. His breath faltered, and no air passed through.


    Having his ns ruined and being humiliated repeatedly by Carissa hadpletely shattered his pride andposure. Any remaining rationality was gone. His head tilted back, his eyes shing with a cruel determination. Though his throat was gripped tightly, his hands were free.


    From his sleeve, a dagger slipped into his grasp, its silver gleam shing...


    Carissa''s eyes flickered.


    Good. This was what she had been waiting for.


    "Your Highness!"


    Wayne''s face went pale with shock. Before he could even shout, Yuvan let out a scream. The dagger had sunk into his abdomen, but not deeply enough to cause serious damage. The de was still in ce and blood started to trickle out, but not in arge amount. "Dad!"


    The group gasped in rm. Upon seeing the blood, Molly nearly fainted and her body copsed weakly against Fiona. Carissa''s voice was as cold as ice.


    "Your Highness, if you truly had no ill


    intentions, no one would believe it now. You actually tried to murder me? I am themander of the Mystic Army, sworn to protect the capital-both inside and out. You''ve gathered troops near the outpost, which raises serious suspicions. I have every right to detain you and bring you to the capital for questioning. Not only do you refuse to cooperate, but you also dare to draw a de against me?"