Melody of Strength novel

hapter 393

Avis gripped Carissa’s wrist tightly, glancing anxiously outside. Her breathing was rapid, and she struggled to keep her voice steady.

“Listen to me. Prince Yuvan is not a good man. He has been conspiring with Grand Princess Eleanor.”

Carissa was stunned. “What?”

She hurriedly sent everyone out, instructing Violet to stand guard at the door.

“Aunt Avis, what do you mean by that?”

Avis‘ head sank, her voice filled with fear and cold dread as she continued, “Over the years, he has been secretly raising troops in Valken, funded by Grand Princess Eleanor and Lady Fiona. Those soldiers are hidden in Stonebridge County.”

Carissa knew Stonebridge County. It was Eleanor’s fief, the dowry the late king had given her.

“Do not offend him. Do not become his enemy. He is not as simple as outsiders think,” Avis sald, her breath growing weaker.

Perhaps the revelation of this secret had frightened her deeply.

“Over the years, he has caused a scandal with his favoritism and abandoning his wife. Do you really think he favors Lady Fiona? It’s just a ploy to create a bad reputation and deceive the current king.” Avis added.

Carissa was horrified.

Everyone believed Yuvan to be a worthless, idle man–at least, Carissa had thought so.

Salvador might have had spies in Valken, but Stonebridge County was Eleanor’s territory, and she hadn’t even settled there. So, why would Salvador keep an eye on Stonebridge County?

No wonder Eleanor was so brazenly amassing wealth.

After revealing this, Avis lost strength and drifted into a deep, exhausted sleep.

On the twenty–eighth day of December, Avis seemed slightly better, eating half a bowl of oatmeal for lunch and another half for dinner. She even asked if there was more, and ended up eating an additional

half bowl.

Carissa was overjoyed at her aunt’s improvement. She urged Avis to rest well, hoping that after the harsh winter, everything would be better with the arrival of spring.

Avis‘ eyes shone as she smiled faintly. “Alright.”

Carissa was wrapped up in her own joy, oblivious to the silent exchange of glances between Ivy and Jasmine, both of whom sighed quietly.

In the middle of the night, Carissa and Violet heard Jasmine’s frantic knocking at the door and her choked voice coming through, “Lady Avis has passed away!”

Carissa shot up, gasping for breath as if she had just emerged from drowning. “No!”

Jasmine, who had been keeping watch through the night, discovered that Avis had stopped breathing

when she got up to offer her some water.

Avis had passed away peacefully in her sleep. She had not survived the year, dying quietly in the stillness. of Verdant Monastery.

Rafael arrived early on the twenty–ninth day of December. Upon hearing the news of Avis‘ death, he held. Carissa tightly. He expected her to cry, but she remained remarkably composed, with not a single tear in

her eyes.

Nestled in his arms, her voice was faint, “She’s gone. Perhaps it’s a release.”

Rafael looked around at the withered trees of Verdant Monastery. The desolation they exuded seemed to carry a faint aura of despair.

Avis had died in such grim circumstances, without her husband or children by her side. Thankfully, Carissa had come. Otherwise, when Avis passed, she would have been entirely alone. And with her exalted status as a princess consort, it seemed all the more tragic.

The few maids who had accompanied her were from Yuvan’s household. They would send someone to report the death, and the arrangements for Avis‘ funeral were not Carissa’s responsibility.

However, Carissa personally washed Avis‘ face and wiped her hands. With no luxurious garments available, she could only dress her aunt in simple clothing while waiting for Yuvan’s people to come and take her body for burial.

Throughout the journey back to the capital, Rafael stayed with Carissa in the carriage, while Violet rode Rafael’s horse and Travis drove the carriage. In the somber atmosphere, silence hung heavily over them

all.

Rafael kept Carissa in his arms, never letting her go. Meanwhile, she remained still, not even uttering a word.

As they approached the city, she spoke softly, “Aunt Avis told me that Grand Princess Eleanor and Prince Yuvan had frequent dealings, and that Prince Yuvan has been raising troops in Stonebridge County with funds from Grand Princess Eleanor and Lady Fiona.”

“I never would have guessed that, Rafael said, his brow furrowed.

Who could have imagined that someone so weak and incapable of managing his own household harbored such grand ambitions?

By the time they arrived at the capital, it was already New Year’s Eve.

The New Year was the most anticipated and joyous festival of the year for the common folk. Every street to

and alley was filled with festive cheer, with households putting up decorations and preparing fireworkBelongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

usher in the new year.

Amidst this time of universal celebration and family reunions, Avis had passed away quietly, her death not causing even the slightest ripple in Yuvan’s family. As Yuvan and his family had already arrived in the capital, the news of her death may not have reached them yet.

When Carissa entered Hell Monarch Estate, she learned that Yuvan’s family had arrived and that Helen was hosting them.

As Violet handed over her horsewhip to the stable hand, she clenched her fists upon hearing the news. Her anger was so intense, she could hardly contain herself. She felt an overwhelming urge to storm in and confront Yuvan.

Rafael frowned. “When I left, they hadn’t yet arrived in the capital. Clearly, they’ve only just come. Instead of visiting the palace first to pay respects to the queen dowager, they came straight to Hell Monarch Estate to visit me. It seems that I’ve underestimated my uncle in the past.”

Carissa kept her gaze down, not lifting her eyes. “His visit to Hell Monarch Estate is merely a display for the king. It serves to inform His Majesty that now, in Starhaven, only the Hell Monarch is known, not the king. That’s why even upon returning to the capital, Prince Yuvan must first visit Hell Monarch Estate.”

Rafael, understanding his wife’s pain, clearly did not want her to face them.

“Carissa, don’t go see him. Go rest in our room. I’ll go see what they’re up to.”

Carissa’s eyes were dark with a hint of cold determination. “Why shouldn’t I see him? It’s New Year’s Eve, a perfect opportunity to spread joy by letting them know of Aunt Avis‘ passing.”

Rafael grasped her arm, his eyes full of concern. “Don’t be like this. If you’re upset, just cry it out.”

Since her aunt’s death, Carissa had not shed a single tear. On the way back, Rafael had expected her to weep in his arms, but she remained quiet and still, neither crying nor speaking. Even when she finally spoke to him, it had only been about Yuvan’s collusion with Eleanor, her demeanor as calm as ever.

Carissa slowly shook her head. Crying wouldn’t change anything. It would be like carving another piece of flesh from her already festering heart. Tears could not alleviate her pain.

Without even bothering to change her clothes, she accompanied Rafael to the main hall. Violet followed without hesitation.

Laughter and conversation filled the air as they approached the main hall.

“Lady Helen, you’re truly blessed to be able to leave the estate and live with Prince Rafael. Few

concubines in the palace have such fortune as you.”

You speak so well, Lady Fiona. What a clever tongue. I truly appreciate it,” Helen said with a broad smile, clearly delighted by the flattery.

“Lady Helen, every word from me is sincere,” Fiona said, her tone steady and eamest.

If

e only listened, they might believe it to be utterly heartfelt.

“Prince Rafael and Lady Carissa have returned,” Gillian announced as soon as she spotted them from afar.

As Rafael, Carissa, and Violet entered the main hall, they saw a middle–aged man in a brocade robe looking toward the door. He was handsome yet somewhat reserved.

Fiona sat beside him. She was dressed in a striking coral–red gown with intricate gold and silver embroidery. Though she was in her early thirties, her complexion was smooth and healthy. Her hair was styled in an elaborate updo, adorned with two pearl–inlaid hairpins, giving her an air of elegance.

On the right side was Yuvan’s eldest son from his previous concubine, who had been raised by Avis as her own. He was slim and bore a strong resemblance to Yuvan, with a dignified posture that spoke of refined

manners.

Two younger boys, approximately fifteen to seventeen years old, were seated nearby. Their clothing was more luxurious than the eldest son’s, and their expressions were even more haughty.

The two young women present, Sabrina and Stephanie, wore matching lake–blue dresses. Due to the heating in the room, they had removed their cloaks.

Rafael and Carissa entered, surveyed the room, and remained silent.

Fiona was just a concubine, not Yuvan’s rightful wife, so she stood up to greet them.

“Greetings, Your Highness, Your Grace.”

The three young men and two young women also stood and bowed.

Rafael’s voice was cold and indifferent as he said, “Sit

Yuyan had expected Rafael and Carissa to come forward and greet him, so he felt somewhat embarrassed when they remained standing in place.

He forced a smile and asked, “Rafael, my nephew. Where have you been?”

“Verdant Monastery,” Rafael replied, his gaze as frosty as his voice.