Carissa was still fuming when Violet's playful comment broke through her anger, causing her to laugh. "Let go. Come down here and join me."

Violet chuckled, giving a quick curtsey. "At your command, my lady."

With a swift motion, she discarded her clothing and tossed it aside before slipping into the hot spring. The two women splashed water at each other in a playful, light-hearted manner before settling down, resting their chins on the soft cushions by the edge of the spring.

Violet spoke first, saying, "The queen is an idiot. Why bother with her? It's not worth getting upset over." "She's acting like there's something wrong with her. She definitely doesn't seem like someone raised by the Quinton family." Carissa paused for a moment, then added, "Well, I guess the Quinton family has more than its share of troublemakers."

Violet nodded. "True. Malcolm kept a mistress, and who knows what to make of the whole thing with Gerald. At least Marjorie is a bit more normal-poor thing."

Carissa folded her hands, resting her chin on her knuckles, her gaze distant. "Yeah. Vivi, do you know what it felt like hearing those words from Lydia?"

Violet tilted her head slightly, mimicking Carissa's posture. "You were angry, of course. What else could you have felt?"

-

"Anger, yes, but more than that... disappointment," Carissa said, rubbing her eyes as the steam from the hot spring swirled around them. "The queen may not actually want to find a secondary wife for Raf, but she's probably using this excuse to force me to come to the palace. She knows exactly how to make a woman's heart ache-like a knife right to the chest."

Violet hadn't given it much thought. But after hearing Carissa's words, she couldn't help but scoff. "What's she playing at? She can't seem to sit still for a moment. On one hand, she's rewarding Ryan, and on the other, she's threatening you. What does she think she's going to gain from this?" Violet mused. Carissa also found it confusing. Kylie's actions made no sense.

Was it to win her over? If that were the case, the queen wouldn't have resorted to such vile tactics. Was it to punish her? Then, why not just directly send a secondary wife to the estate? As the queen, she could do it if she truly wanted to. No one would question her motives, and she could claim it was for the sake of Rafael's lineage.

Carissa thought long and hard but could only come to one conclusion-Kylie was using this as leverage. But to what end? Perhaps Kylie had already learned about Salvador's condition and was trying to force Carissa to help Connor?

Whatever the queen's reasoning, Carissa knew one thing for certain: she would not enter the palace. If Salvador's illness were to be made public, it would undoubtedly cause a great uproar, and the previous kings' concubines would each have their own plans. This turbulent situation would be best avoided if possible.

At Everspring Palace, Lydia reported what had happened. Upon hearing it, Kylie was so enraged that her face twisted with fury.

"She really said that?"noveldrama

Lydia nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. As soon as I finished speaking, she flew into a rage. I was startled by how suddenly she snapped."

Kylie sneered. "So, Carissa thinks so highly of herself?"

"Your Majesty, now that there's a misunderstanding, what should we do? Lady Carissa likely thinks you truly intend to send someone to Prince Rafael's household. Perhaps I

should go and explain things net

tomorrow, then invite her to the

palace?" Lydia suggested carefully.

Kylie's eyes narrowed as she coldly said, "I was acting out of good intentions for Rafael's lineage. That's why I suggested he take a

she

secondary wife and possibly a concubine. If she's against it, should come to the palace and speak with me. I wouldn't have forced her. But how dare she lash out at you like that? How can someone so jealous be fit to be a royal woman?

"Go ahead and spread word about what happened. Let's see if she still has any shame." Stunned, Lydia quickly said, "Your Majesty, this will surely sour your relationship with Lady Carissa." "So what? I'm the queen. Do you think I'm afraid to make an enemy of her?" Kylie responded coldly. Lydia was concerned. The Quinton family was no longer supportive of Kylie, and openly offending the Hell Monarch's princess consort would not be wise, especially for Connor's sake.

"In the end, you're both still family, Your Majesty. There's no need to make things so ugly. I'll go tomorrow and speak plainly. If she agrees to come to the palace, the misunderstanding can be cleared up," said Lydia, trying to reason with the queen.

Kylie waved her hand dismissively. "No need for more words. If I say you should go, you go."

She paused, a calculating look

crossing her face. "I've heard that the Earl of Southstead has a daughtermamed Janelle Xavier.

unmarried. Tell the world that

She's over twenty and still

intended to have her be Rafael's secondary wife, but Carissa refused."

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