And just like that, Lydia was sent out of the estate. She received more than a few pointed stares on her way out.

On the journey back to the palace, she remained unsure whether Carissa would actually come. The latter hadn't agreed, but hadn't outright refused either.

Of course, Kylie had no real intention of finding a secondary wife for Rafael. The remark had been meant to unsettle Carissa, to push her into resigning from her post. Even if she refused to resign, the queen would never actually force a concubine upon the Hell Monarch.

But it was unexpected for Carissa to react with such unrestrained fury-so much so that she hadn't even bothered to maintain appearances before throwing Lydia out.

And if Carissa refused to enter the palace... How would this misunderstanding ever be resolved? But then again...

Lydia sighed. Was it really a misunderstanding?

Truth be told, she rather liked the idea of female officials in court. If Carissa were to resign, she would actually feel a tinge of regret.

The thought left her feeling guilty. She was no longer as unwaveringly loyal to Kylie as she had once been.

Back at Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa was livid.

She had already been troubled enough by Salvador's late-night visit, which had sparked all manner of gossip. And now, Kylie was making things even worse.

Truly, Salvador and Kylie were a perfect match-each as insufferable as the other.

In the main hall, Jacob and Kyle sat in silence, watching as Carissa limped forward on her own, refusing any support. That solitary figure, dragging her injured leg step by step, was pitiful to behold.

As if it hadn't been bad enough that she had injured herself to avoid suspicion, Salvador had gone and made a spectacle of himself, arriving at the estate in the dead of night. Now, the entire court was abuzz with rumors, and more than half the officials had likely heard the tale. Most of them undoubtedly cast judgment upon Carissa.

Why was Kylie doing this? What was her real motive?

First, she sent Lydia to reward Ryan. Then, she brought up the idea of Rafael taking a secondary wife. She invited Carissa to the palace to admire the orchids, and while she was at it, Kylie wanted her to look at portraits of eligible young ladies.

The queen fretted over all the wrong things. The matters that deserved her concern she ignored entirely, while the things that were none of her business she obsessed over to no end.

"The queen probably said it on purpose. She wants to force Lady Carissa into visiting the palace," Jacob murmured.

Kyle scoffed. "Who cares? She said what she said, and that's that. No need to go. Nothing good will come of it."

Kyle thought there was no need for Carissa to overthink it. When faced with something like this, it was best to just get angry.

To hell with the king and queen.

Violet had gone out early in the morning and was unaware of the situation. When she returned in the afternoon, she had the kitchen prepare a few of Helen's favorite dishes, intending to dine with her and Carissa.

She went to inform Helen first before fetching Carissa, only for the former to wave her off.

"I won't be dining with her today. Go on and eat with her yourself," Helen said.

Violet was surprised. Helen enjoyed lively company and was always pleased when she and Carissa joined her for meals. Why was she refusing today?

"Did she offend you?" Violet's expression darkened, immediately ready to stand up for the older woman. "I'll go teach her a lesson."

Helen hurriedly intervened, saying,

"Don't be ridiculous. She didn't offend me; someone else offended her. She's in a foul mood and I don't have the right words to soothe her. If I say the wrong thing and upset her further, this household will fall

apart."

Violet frowned. "She hasn't even stepped out of the estate. Who could have possibly offended her? Don't tell me Rod has been acting up again."

"No, it was the queen." Helen sighed. "She sent someone over, claiming to have picked out a few young ladies for Rafael. It set Carissa off."

Helen hesitated, then added in a softer tone, "To be fair, if a few well-mannered girls entered the household, it wouldn't be such a bad thing. But seeing how upset she was... I didn't dare say a word." Violet's expression darkened. Without another word, she stormed off toward Carissa's courtyard. That wretched woman!

By the time Violet arrived, it was

already late. Fallen branches and scattered leaves littered the ground,

evidence of some earlier St. A

whip and a sword had been

carelessly tossed onto the

inside the main hall, but Carissa

herself was nowhere to

be seen.

Violet searched the room and called out a few times, but there was no answer.

Instead, Lulu hurried over and hushed her with a finger to her lips. "Don't shout. She worked up a sweat practicing and went to soak in the hot spring."

"And you're not attending to her?" Violet asked.

"She kicked me out," Lulu muttered, clearly aggrieved.

Violet clicked her tongue. "Her injuries aren't even fully healed and she's already soaking in hot water? She acts like she's made of iron."

Shaking her head, she made her way toward the small hot spring.noveldrama

Steam curled through the air, blurring the edges of the tranquil pool. Carissa reclined against a cushioned stone ledge, eyes closed, her body half-submerged in the warm water.

Violet crept forward on silent feet, snatching up a towel. With a grin, she spoke in a fawning tone, asking, "My lady, would you like this humble servant to scrub your back?"

Before Carissa could reply, Violet rolled up her sleeves and began scrubbing vigorously. "Let's wash away all the bad luck-bad people, bad words, bad omens. None of it will stick to us."