Kylie stumbled back to Everspring Palace, Salvador's words asking her to relinquish her position as queen echoing endlessly in her mind. Each word crashed down like a bolt of lightning, striking her heart with relentless force. Her head spun and her limbs felt numb.

"Your Highness, His Majesty was merely speaking in anger. Please don't dwell on it," Lydia said anxiously. With her face drained of all color, Kylie looked like a ghost of herself, her spirit seemingly shattered.

She struggled to breathe, clutching at her chest as tears streamed down her cheeks. "In anger? Does that mean he can just dispose of me with a few careless words? His Majesty never speaks rashly. He meant it."

"How could that be? How could His Majesty ever consider making Ms. Spencer-a merchant's daughter -his queen?" Lydia tried to reassure her, having overheard Salvador's furious outburst from outside. Kylie's tears fell faster. "Don't you see? It was never about Violet. It's Carissa."

Lydia shook her head. "That's even less likely. Lady Carissa is the Hell Monarch's princess consort. Even if His Majesty has lost his senses, he wouldn't make his sister-in-law the queen. It defies all reason and propriety. If he did such a thing, scholars and officials across the land would condemn him. His Majesty wouldn't do it."

"The issue is that he wants to do it." Kylie wiped away her tears, her eyes darkening with resentment. "Carissa knows better than anyone the consequences of such actions. When Barrett tried to take another wife, she raised hell. She should be the first to understand the importance of propriety, yet she allows His Majesty to continue down this foolish path."

"Perhaps Lady Carissa isn't even aware of it," Lydia suggested.

Kylie blew her nose, her nose reddened from crying. "Even if she didn't know at first, she must know by now. If she truly is a loyal subject, she shouldn't drag His Majesty's name through the mud. She should resign from her post and return to her duties as the Hell Monarch's wife."

Lydia advised Kylie to stay out of it. The king would handle it however he saw fit.

But Kylie saw things differently. This scandal could tarnish Salvador's reputation, so if she could quell the rumors and protect his honor, Victoria might see her in a new light. Perhaps then, control over the harem would return to her hands.

Also, Salvador would think twice before speaking of deposing her.

Of course, she couldn't be too forceful. The key was to appeal to Carissa's emotions and reason with her. Kylie thought she understood Carissa well. The latter was the type who believed herself to be loyal and patriotic, willing to endure hardship for the greater good.

So, persuading her wouldn't be difficult. The real challenge lay in bringing her into the palace in a way that appeared proper and justified. After all, she was still recovering from her injuries and rarely left her residence.

Naturally, Kylie also had to ensure Salvador didn't find out.

She recalled that Ryan had once

entered the palace as Connor's study partner, so she used the pretext of bestowing a reward on the boy to extend an invitation. She asked Carissa to come and admire the orchids—a simple gathering between sisters-in-law, nothing more.

-

Since the queen wasn't issuing a direct edict, she anticipated that Carissa might find an excuse to decline.

So, she sent Lydia in person with a message consisting of two simple sentences.

Carissa would come after hearing them. Of that, Kylie was certain.

At Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa sat in silence after hearing Lydia's words, her expression grave. It was

the most composed expression she could manage at the moment. If she were to truly reflect her feelings, she would be baring her teeth.

At that moment, she understood Rosalind.

She clenched her jaw so tightly that

she nearly shattered her own teeth before finally forcing out a calm response, saying, "My husband is not handsome enough to stand in the way of a young lady finding a better match. Please convey my thanks to Her Majesty for her kindness."

Having never expected Carissa to reply in this manner, Lydia was momentarily stunned.noveldrama

In situations like this, the typically

expected response was to first

express gratitude for Kylie's

generosity. Then, Carissa should enter the palace, exchange

pleasantries, and gently remind Kylie that Rafael was still at war in the Southern Frontier, making it inappropriate to discuss taking a secondary wife. The queen would then drop the matter with grace, leaving all parties satisfied.

But Carissa had outright refused, citing Rafael's appearance as her reason. This could only be seen as jealousy, and among noble wives, there was no greater shame than being accused of jealousy. With such a blunt refusal, wasn't she afraid of offending Kylie? If the queen truly went through with arranging a match for Rafael, what then?

After all, Kylie was not just any noblewoman-she was the queen and Rafael's sister-in-law. If she insisted on finding him a secondary wife under the guise of concern for his household, others would only praise her for her thoughtfulness.

Before Lydia could recover from her shock, Carissa's voice, now laced with cold amusement, rang out once more.

"If Her Majesty is so fond of playing matchmaker, perhaps she should focus on selecting more concubines

for His Majesty during the upcoming flower-viewing banquet. The affairs of our estate need not trouble her."