Her Graceful War Song

Chapter 195

Upon hearing Eleanor mention Carissa, Rebecca's heart was thrown into turmoil. She was unaware of the past between Eleanor and Melanie, and assumed that Carissa's recent achievements had made her valued by the royal family.

Did this mean Eleanor was now favoring Carissa? Et the gentle expression on Eleanor's face suggested otherwise.

At a loss, Rebecca heard Isabella Miller, who was seated nearby, speak up.

"Your Highness, all this talk of devotion is just for show. After the divorce, Carissa ignored her former mother-in-law's wellbeing. Where is the so-called devotion in that? Anyone can put on a show. Rebecca made such a scene at Northwatch Estate. If she weren't forced into a corner, who would want to be embarrassed like that?" she said.

Isabella was the queen's sister-in-law, and her husband held a third- rank official position, making him a key figure in court.

As soon as Isabella spoke, others began to murmur in agreement.

"Isn't it just that she's flaunting her military achievements and looking down on everyone else? She's such an ungrateful person. Of course she's despised by all." "Rebecca, I heard that when her family was killed, you took

meticulous care of her, even staying by her side at night to prevent her from doing anything rash. You cherished your former daughter-in-law, yet she doesn't appreciate it."

Rebecca was initially stunned by these remarks but quickly realized their implication. The ladies seemed to be contradicting Eleanor, but the grand princess remained unperturbed. There was even a vaguely amused smile on her lips.

Clearly, the ladies were echoing Eleanor's sentiments.

Rebecca understood now that Carissa would indeed be attending the banquet, and that Eleanor held a grudge against her. Eleanor had not invited Rebecca out of respect for Barrett's achievements, but because she could use her to criticize Carissa.

Realizing that Eleanor shared her disdain for Carissa, Rebecca felt a surge of excitement, as if she had discovered a kindred spirit.

Putting on an act-wasn't that Rebecca's forte?

With a sigh and a tearful look, she said, "Your Highness, you're too kind. Sometimes, genuine intentions do not always beget genuine responses. I've done my part with a clear conscience-that is enough for me."

Eleanor sighed sympathetically, wiping the corner of her eye. Rebecca, it must be tough for you. It's commonplace for men to take concubines, but the problem is that a certain someone couldn't accept a concubine despite coming from a noble family.

"Compared to her, you ladies here are in a different position. If your own husbands had taken a concubine, you might have just sought a divorce quietly. You wouldn't have made a fuss in front of the king and asked for a divorce edict. To put it bluntly, Carissa considers herself above all others and thinks everyone is inferior to her. She doesn't even care about the Warren family."

Eleanor's cryptic and sarcastic remarks made her attitude towards Carissa abundantly clear.

Some of the ladies present had visited Northwatch Estate and considered acting as matchmakers to persuade a man to marry Carissa, hoping to gain some favor and a title in return. However, now that Eleanor had spoken, these ladies no longer dared to take on the role of matchmaker.

Even some of the counts, who were feeling their influence wane, had initially entertained the idea of getting their sons to marry Carissa to gain a title. But now, they quickly abandoned that thought. Regardless of Carissa's true nature, the fact remained that she was not someone who would tolerate concubines. None of the present ladies would genuinely accept a concubine, but they didn't want their sons to be denied the right to take one if desired.

After all, if Carissa failed to bear a son, wildn't that mean the potential end of their line?

Rebecca seized the opportunity to voice her grievances, painting Carissa as arrogant, jealous, and disrespectful. She argued that if Carissa hadn't returned with military achievements, she would have been universally condemned as a jealous, discarded woman.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Rebecca, Eleanor, and Isabella were relentless, with the grand princess taking the lead in slandering Carissa. In less than an hour, Carissa quickly became a figure of universal scorn among most ladies. Some knew that Carissa was not truly like that, but remained silent to avoid being targeted by the collective disapproval.

Although Carissa had not yet arrived, Dakota, Helen, Josephine, and the other concubines of the late king had already arrived. After all, Eleanor was their sister-in-law. Victoria held the most authoritative power in the palace, and she had permitted them to attend Eleanor's birthday banquet.

With the presence of all the senior concubines, it was customary for the other ladies to rise and pay their respects.

Helen had been reluctant to attend. She and Eleanor had never been on good terms, and she had suffered quite a few grievances at the grand princess' hands.