Chapter 806

Violet stepped outside and asked, "What's going on?"

"Lord Malcolm once said that Casey couldn't have children around her, but now he's sending the child here. As a minister, how can he be so indecisive? If he can't even take care of his own child, why have one at all? Children are always innocent," Carissa explained briefly, her tone sharp.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Violet was equally outraged. "It's likely he said that out of impulse. After thinking it over, he realized it wouldn't work, so he begged the abbess to take the child. But sending her here doesn't mean they can be together. It's just placing the child in the care of the convent under the guise of being an orphan. It's absurd-she has parents, yet she's being treated like an orphan. Is Malcolm cursing himself?"

'Forget him,' Carissa replied. "We just need to take care of the people we should. If the Quinton family won't raise that child, then she can stay at the convent. For Lady Marjorie, both Casey and this child are cruel reminders of her broken happiness."

"Is broken happiness still happiness?" Violet mused. "Does she really know nothing at all?"

"Only she knows the truth.

"By the way," Violet said, checking the roster. "Cecilia from Oakspire Estate hasn't shown up. Didn't she steal the blueprints? Is the king going to deal with her separately?"

Carissa's icy gaze softened slightly. "Lady Cecilia received twenty lashes, while Lord Gareth got thirty. His pay was docked for two years. But Lord Gareth took on Lady Cecilia's punishment, so he received fifty strokes in total. The punishment was carried out yesterday, and it nearly cost him his life."

Violet remarked, "At least that man has some responsibility. Compared to Malcolm, the difference is stark."

Carissa nodded. "True, but when people rise to high positions, they have to consider many things. Lord Malcolm has a great reputation and holds a significant post in court. He won't allow even a hint of scandal to taint his name, so he can easily abandon those who threaten it.

*From what we see, Lord Gareth does seem more responsible, but who knows if he'd still protect Lady Cecilia if he were in Lord Malcolm's position? Their circumstances are different. Lord Malcolm's situation involves a mistress, which is something he can't show publicly. On the other hand, Lord Gareth has a legitimate relationship with Lady Cecilia, and their children are recognized by the Duke of Oakspire's family."

Violet felt frustrated by the chaos. "In any case, not getting married is the best choice. When are we going to pick up Casey's child?"

Carissa thought for a moment. "Henry is set to be executed tomorrow, so let's go the day after."

Violet considered it and suggested, "Why don't we leave now while it's still early? We can leave the inside matters to Claire and Michael. Michael may be a bit rough around the edges, but with Claire and the others looking after things, everything should be fine."

Carissa glanced at the sky. It was around mid-afternoon, which meant there was plenty of time left.

"Alright then. Since she's just at an apple farm outside the city, we can go there."

The two women rode straight toward the Quinton family's apple farm. During their investigation, they had thoroughly familiarized themselves with the officials' residences and properties. The apple farm wasn't far. It was just a turn outside the city and a one-mile ride to reach.

Carissa and Violet were quick, and they arrived in an hour. After knocking on the door, Carissa announced herself. A servant respectfully invited her inside, clearly having been informed of her arrival.

The wet nurse emerged, cradling a small girl in her arms. The one-year-old girl was a plump little darling, her delicate features strikingly similar to Casey's. She wasn't shy at all. When she saw Violet in vibrant red attire, she opened her arms, eager for a hug.

However, she seemed a bit wary of Carissa, perhaps due to her official uniform lending an air of authority.

Carissa asked the wet nurse, "What's her name?"

The wet nurse hesitated for a moment before replying, "Her name is Amara. She no longer has a family name now."

In other words, she had once been called Amara Quinton.

Violet's expression darkened. Forgive her for her lack of education, but the literal meaning of the name struck her -'Eternal Promise".

What was Malcolm thinking when he named her? Was it a vow of eternal devotion to Casey, or a promise to care for his daughter forever?

Regardless, if Marjorie were to hear that name, it would surely break her heart.

What had Marjorie done wrong? Over the years, she managed both the external and internal affairs of the family. She had also skillfully handled the household. Beyond that, she was a kind-hearted woman known for her generosity-donating food and medicine to those in need, and regularly visiting the local temple to pray for blessings.

To ensure the family line continued, she had arranged for Malcolm to take concubines early on. At first, when his position was modest, he only had two concubines. After his rise, she elevated his two long-term companions to the status of concubines.

Marjorie wasn't a harsh matriarch. Otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed four concubines to bear children for Malcolm. She also treated them all kindly.