Chapter 1194

Carissa gently helped Violet onto a chaise lounge. "Thank Isaac for me, but I won't guess. Just tell me: who did you see?"

Violet's eyes widened—perhaps from alcohol, perhaps from shock. "Victor! It was Victor, the Sandorian marshal. And not just one; there were several Victors."

Carissa pressed her hand to Violet's forehead. "Several Victors, or several people who looked like Victor? How much did you drink?"

Violet mumbled, her head stilling as if the name anchored her. "Victor... but not as old as Victor."

"You mean people who resembled Victor? Sandorians?"

Carissa's mind raced. Interaction between Sandoria and Starhaven was minimal. A Sandorian reaching Starhaven's capital seemed impossible, let alone settling there.

"Yes... Sandorians. How could they be in the capital? They were hiding in the gentlemen's retreat! Why doesn't anyone talk about the retreat's guests? I saw them—those guests must have seen them too," Violet slurred.

Carissa's heart skipped a beat. Of course, the gentlemen's retreat's guests wouldn't speak of it; to do so would be an admission of their presence. But the crucial question was: when had the Sandorians arrived? It was no wonder they hadn't been discovered; they were hidden in plain sight at the gentlemen's retreat.

While several gentlemen's retreats existed, they operated discreetly. Sigmund had outlawed and closely monitored them. After Salvador's ascension, the matter was barely addressed. Though unrestricted, they weren't promoted either. Society was more open-minded than during Sigmund's reign, but homosexuality was still frowned upon. No one openly discussed it; consequently, no one paid attention. Everything seemed normal; no one would think to look in such places.

Violet's head tilted, and before Carissa could react, she fell asleep.

Carissa sighed, summoning Lulu to help Violet. Then, she rushed to find Isaac, knowing his high alcohol tolerance meant he wouldn't have become intoxicated so easily.

Chapter 1101

"Yes, I took her there on purpose. I noticed them a few days ago," Isaac said, his voice sharp and clear. His damp hair clung to his temples, but he seemed fully alert.

Wiping his hands, he gestured for Carissa to sit. "I planned to bring you, but since you refused, I took Violet. After all, she's been to the battlefield and seen Sandorians before."

Sandorians were tall, with prominent noses and distinct eye colors. However, some were of average height, with eyes nearly identical to Starhaven's people. Only their noses were slightly more aquiline and their eyes more piercing, giving them a stronger presence, though not drastically different at a glance.

Those at the gentlemen's retreat were strikingly handsome, with a touch of femininity. Thus, not everyone would recognize them as Sandorians.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Carissa frowned. "If you had, I would have gone."

Isaac glanced at her. "That wouldn't have worked. Violet had to invite you. If I asked, word would reach Meadow Ridge, and Sages Adrian and Everett would never forgive me!"

Carissa was speechless. That was the reason?

"How did you find out?" Carissa eyed him. "You didn't go drinking there again? You said you wouldn't."

"It's a lively drinking place, not a den of iniquity. I went for the drinks, nothing else," Isaac said confidently.

Carissa raised an eyebrow. "Would you say that to Sage Everett?"

Isaac glanced sideways. "If you don't tell him, he won't know. I came to the capital on Sage Adrian's orders with an important task. What's wrong with a little drinking? Enough of this. Let's discuss the gentlemen's retreat. But if you tell on me, I'll deal with you later."

They sat, and Isaac continued, "I got drunk tonight to investigate how many Sandorians are hiding there. I found seven at one establishment; there are five such retreats in the capital."

Tonight, Isaac had shared drinks with a handsome young man. To protect Violet, he'd been intimately touched by a stranger. To whom could he complain?

Chapter 1194

"Did you learn if they have any martial arts skills?" Carissa asked.

Isaac nodded. "Yes. Every single one knows how to fight."