Chapter 1213

Violet interjected, "Actually, I think you like both men and women."

"Flattering, but I like neither," Isaac replied, stretching lazily. "You two can finish the sweet potatoes and chat."

He stood, his usual carefree demeanor momentarily replaced by a stiff, military posture as if feeling their gaze on his back. He then walked out.

"By the way," Violet said, turning to Carissa, "Bun and Thia were supposed to come for the New Year. They sent a letter, but we haven't seen them, so they probably won't make it."

"Will their mentor even let them leave?" Carissa asked.

"They haven't arrived, so likely not," Violet added, tending the fire. The newly added silver-charcoal pieces glowed, the red embers spreading slowly. "When you mentioned being short-handed, I sent them a message."

"It would be wonderful if Thia could come," Carissa said, resting her head on Violet's shoulder. Weariness etched her features. "This year feels exhausting. I constantly feel drained. Every day brings something new."

"Then take this New Year to rest," Violet said gently.

"But the Mystic Army is busiest during the New Year," Carissa replied thoughtfully. "Busy is good, though. At least when I lie down at night, I won't have time to think about Raf."

Intrigued, Violet asked, "What's it like to miss someone?"

"Missing someone is bearable. Waiting for them is the hardest," Carissa sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples. Her jawline was sharply defined as she tilted her head. "Honestly, before he left, I didn't think I'd miss him so much. But at night, he just…intrudes on my thoughts. I can't get rid of him. His nerve is boundless."

Violet shivered. "That's so cheesy. I can hardly believe you said that."

Carissa smiled, a touch of frustration in her sweetness. "Alright, enough about him. The queen's under house arrest. It's obvious she orchestrated the academy's problems. Ruining reputations, silencing dissent…The king will likely ignore her for a while. Appointing the crown prince won't happen anytime soon."

"The king's not even focused on that," Violet replied. "He just wants to eliminate anyone with rebellious thoughts."

"Too bad the queen's too blinded by her ambition to see clearly," Carissa said. "She keeps saying naming a crown prince is paramount, but it only matters if the king thinks so."

Violet warmed her hands by the fire, anger flashing in her eyes. "Too bad we can't get revenge for what happened at the academy. She's locked away in the inner palace; we can't exactly sneak in and slap her."

"True, I'd love to slap her," Carissa sighed. The disparity between their desires and reality was stark. Even if they managed to infiltrate the palace, getting caught would be easy. Sneaking into the palace was a serious offense, not worth a few slaps.

"It's so unfair," Violet fumed. "Just because she's the queen, everything she does goes unpunished. Even if the king knows, he merely confines her."

Carissa stared at the crackling coals. "Because the king doesn't really want the women's academy to succeed."

"Why does it bother them so much for women to study?" Violet asked.

Carissa's voice was calm, though laced with frustration. "They fear that if women gain too much knowledge, they'll question the supposed inherent justice of obedience and virtue they expect from women." To Salvador, the Women's Academy could exist, but its teachings had to stay within strict boundaries.

"But why, then, do they occasionally select talented women from the capital? Doesn't that encourage women to study?"

"Yes, but they also say women who lack talent are virtuous. They want a modest, gentle wife, someone who embodies virtue. With the pressure of marriage, which noble family would truly invest in educating a talented woman?"

Understanding dawned in Violet's eyes. "So, the reason Gracewood Women's Academy has so many students is because the queen dowager ordered its establishment. They're just paying her lip service."

"Exactly," Carissa nodded. "It's about conformity. Everyone's going, so not going seems disrespectful to the queen dowager. Parents don't expect their daughters to learn anything; they go for appearances."

Carissa was also concerned. After the academy's troubles, many students might not return next year. In the end, a clean reputation trumped all else.