Her Graceful War Song

Carissa sat for a while, but did not touch the coffee or snacks. Instead, she rose and announced her intention to walk around.

In Harmony Palace, guests were generally allowed to explore and enjoy the surroundings, provided that such arrangements had been made in advance.

However, uninvited intrusions or requests to wander about were not permitted. There were certain areas within the residence that were off-limits, hiding secrets Eleanor would rather keep concealed.

As the princess consort of the Hell Monarch, Carissa was not to be stopped by the household guards. If they dared to interfere or make a remark, they would face severe consequences.

Ordinary servants could not halt her advance toward the inner courtyard. Despite several attempts to block her, she skillfully maneuvered past them and made her way with purpose toward the inner courtyard. Just as she approached one of the courtyards, someone shouted loudly, "Grand Princess Eleanor has returned!"

Carissa's lips curled into a smile.Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Ah, so Eleanor was finally willing to come out.

Carissa adjusted her hair, and cast a cursory glance at the courtyard. "Since the grand princess has returned, I'll just wait in the main hall."

The servants were visibly nervous, and responded, "Yes, Your Highness. Please wait in the main hall. The grand princess will change and join you shortly."

Carissa returned to the main hall to find Helen had finished all the snacks and was now requesting a new cup of coffee, as the previous one had gone cold.

Helen was usually commanding and imperious, but she had adopted a notably subdued demeanor within Harmony Palace, showing considerable courtesy to the servants.

Upon seeing Carissa return, Helen grumbled, "Grand Princess Eleanor has returned. You've managed to wait long enough."

Carissa took a seat, and replied calmly, "Is she truly back or just emerging? We're sitting here in the main hall. Unless she enters through a side or back door, we should see her come in."

"She is the mistress of the residence. How could she possibly use the side or back door? Don't you understand the rules?" Helen retorted.

"In that case, we'll simply watch her come in," Carissa said, taking a sip of her now-cold coffee.

As expected, Helen sent Gillian outside to wait. After a long while, with no sign of anyone coming in, Gillian was left shivering from the cold.

Determined to confirm for Helen that Eleanor had returned from outside, Gillian braved the chill. She sneezed continuously, but refused to go back.

She waited for almost half an hour. Finally, unable to endure the cold any longer, she decided to head back inside. Then, she saw Eleanor, surrounded by servants, emerging from the inner courtyard and making her way into the main corridor.

No matter how stupid Gillian was, even she could tell Eleanor had not actually gone out.

"Oh, I heard you were waiting for me as soon as I returned," Eleanor remarked with a hint of irritation. "Given how much you both have on your plates today, what brings you here?"

Carissa stood and offered a graceful bow, smiling as she replied, "Since I have entered the royal family, it is only right that I come to pay my respects to my aunt-in-law. Aunt, I hope you are well." Eleanor smiled back, but did not immediately address Carissa. Instead, she exchanged formal greetings with Helen.

After they were seated, Eleanor finally turned her attention to Carissa and said, "Please, let us all sit down. There's no need to stand on ceremony among family."

Carissa took her seat and said, "Indeed, there is no need for formality. Today, in addition to paying my respects, I came to discuss a matter my mother-in-law mentioned. She said that during last night's wedding banquet, she made a wager with you involving a few pearls from my dowry. If I chose not to pursue it, she would win and you would owe her three thousand silver coins."

With a smile, Carissa looked at Helen.

"Mother, we are here to claim our prize today. Since you have won, you may take as many of those pearls as you wish. What belongs to me is now yours."

Eleanor's expression darkened noticeably.

Such a lack of tact-Carissa came straight to the point without giving her any room to maneuver. Despite her noble status, Eleanor thought of Carissa as nothing more than a rude, unsophisticated martial artist.

Forget the three thousand silver coins-Eleanor wouldn't even consider parting with those pearls.

But how could that fool Helen let Carissa know about this matter?