The mother and son pair spoke in the royal study for nearly two hours.

After Victoria left, Salvador issued an edict lifting Kylie's house arrest. However, the authority to manage the harem was not immediately returned to her.

Upon hearing Derek's message, Kylie was at first hesitant to believe it. How had the house arrest been lifted so suddenly?

But then she remembered-it must have been the rumors she had people spread earlier. The queen was still alive, yet they wanted to send her son to be raised in the queen dowager's palace? That went against tradition.

So, after the house arrest was lifted, Kylie didn't immediately go to express her gratitude. Instead, she headed to the study to visit Connor.

Upon seeing his mom, Connor's face lit up with joy. Ignoring the fact that Trevor was still giving a lesson, he sprang to his feet and ran straight into Kylie's arms. "Mom, I've missed you so much! When will you come and take me back?"

Kylie bent down, resting her hands on his shoulders before gently running her fingers through his hair. She looked him over carefully-he wasn't wearing his fur cloak, and he had lost some weight. His chin looked more pointed, and a pang of sorrow struck her heart.

"Why have you gotten so thin? Haven't you been eating well in the queen dowager's palace?"

Connor pouted, his voice tinged with grievance. "Every day after returning from the study, Grandmother makes me recite scriptures. If I can't memorize them, she won't let me eat. I don't want to stay there anymore! I want to go back."

Kylie knew Victoria was strict. Since she had only just been released from confinement, she couldn't risk confronting Victoria head-on.

Instead, she gently reassured him, "Just bear with it a little longer. I'll convince your dad."

Connor was about to protest further, but he stopped himself when he saw Trevor step into the room. He instinctively took a step back, holding his tongue.

Trevor gave a respectful bow to Kylie. "Your Majesty, Prince Connor is in the middle of a lesson."

Kylie knew how highly Salvador regarded Trevor, so she couldn't afford to offend him. She simply nodded slightly and said, "I understand. I only came to check on him for a moment. His hands are so cold. Why hasn't he been given more layers of clothing?"

Trevor glanced at the thick cotton garments Connor was wearing and replied, "You need not worry, Your Majesty. His clothes are sufficient. His hands are cold because he has been writing."

Kylie cast a lingering glance at Connor, reluctant to leave. "Go back to your lessons now. I'll come see you at Serenity Palace later."

Although Connor was reluctant to return, he dared not defy Trevor, fearing the older man would report to Victoria once again.

As Kylie left the study, she turned her ire upon those waiting outside to attend to Connor, including the nanny, Elena.

"I don't expect you to take exceptional care of him, but at the very least, do the basics properly. It's freezing out, and not one of you thought to bring him a small hand warmer? Or to have warm food ready for him?

"You all know better than anyone how he was raised with the utmost care and privilege! So why is it that the moment he steps into Serenity Palace, you stop treating him like your master? You disappoint me the most, Elena. Connor was raised on your milk. How can you not feel a shred of sympathy for him? Look at what he's wearing today-still in his autumn jacket!"

The servants knelt before her.

Elena trembled, her voice faltering as she pleaded for forgiveness. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Every morning when Prince Connor rises and changes, it's the queen dowager who is by his side. She insisted that he shouldn't wear too many clothes. She said this coat was enough. If he felt cold, he could run around after class to warm up..."

"Enough," Kylie interrupted, her face a cold mask. Her displeasure was palpable. "What time is it now? It's mealtime, not a time for running around. Do you think he's not exhausted enough already?"

Elena fell silent immediately, her eyes darting around nervously, fearing that someone might overhear and report back to Victoria.

Those words were clearly a direct accusation against the queen dowager.

Why was Kylie this angry?noveldrama

In the study, Connor listened to Kylie's scolding, his tears falling in heavy drops. He had endured much lately but dared not speak of it. Now that his mom was standing up for him, the injustice he had endured felt even greater.

Trevor closed his eyes and let out a barely audible sigh.

Naturally, word of this also reached Serenity Palace.

Victoria's face remained impassive as she listened to the report.

"Useless," she muttered coldly.

Keith cautiously said, "Your Majesty, perhaps the queen is just worried from not seeing Prince Connor for a while. Please don't let it upset you."

"What do you mean by that? During her house arrest, I allowed Connor to visit her several times." Victoria's tone was sharp, tinged with an edge of anger. Had it been another time, she might not have been so upset, but things were different now. Connor absolutely couldn't be ruined under her watch.