Chapter 354

Eleanor turned to Helen with a look of confusion. “What is this about? Pearls and bets? Wasn’t last night just a feast? When did you take any of her dowry? This simply won’t do! Dowries are the private property of the daughter-in-law. You cannot take them, even in jest.”

Helen was taken aback. Over her years of interacting with Eleanor, she had suspected that Eleanor might not relinquish the three thousand silver coins. Even so, Helen had held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that Eleanor, being a proud person, would honor the bet simply to preserve her dignity. Eleanor’s complete denial of both the pearls and the bet was beyond Helen’s expectations.

Dumbfounded, Helen instinctively glanced at Gillian, who was shivering, her face reddened, trying to shield herself with her sleeve and desperately stifling a runny nose. Helen turned back to Carissa, who remained calm and composed, as if she had anticipated this outcome.

Helen was unwilling to be belittled by Carissa, but was even more enraged by Eleanor’s shamelessness. Frustrated, she snapped, “How can you say such things? Last night, I clearly gave you the pearls! You said that if she didn’t pursue it, you would return the pearls to me and also give me three thousand silver coins. How can you go back on your word?”

“How absurd! Why would I instruct you to take your daughter-in-law’s dowry?” Eleanor’s expression darkened as she retorted, “Go ask around—does anyone believe I would do such a thing?”

Eleanor’s sharp tone left Helen bewildered. Already intimidated by Eleanor, Helen was even more frightened by the latter’s anger. Panicking, she instinctively blurted out, “Then… then we should go back and verify this first.”

Carissa rolled her eyes in exasperation. Returning meant they would never recover the pearls. However, as a dutiful daughter-in-law, Carissa decided to play along with her mother-in-law’s charade. Smiling, she said, “Alright, then, we shall return for now.”

Eleanor sipped her coffee and shot a sidelong glance at Carissa. Oh? Was she so easily pacified? It certainly saved Eleanor some trouble. Indeed, as long as Eleanor stubbornly refused to admit to taking the pearls, no one could force her to comply. As for Helen, a few words to placate her would be enough. Helen was the easiest to handle.

Helen felt a strange sense of unease when she heard Carissa also agreeing to leave. Was Carissa really that obedient? If the pearls were gone and the three thousand silver coins were lost, then what? But it was better than having a quarrel, which would cause significant embarrassment. Yet, how could Eleanor deny it? Helen was unwilling to accept it.

As Helen stood there, lost in thought, Carissa smiled and said, “Tomorrow happens to be the day I’ll be returning to the Northwatch Estate to visit my family. I’ll mention this matter to my master. After all, the people from the various guilds are still around. I need to explain how my mother-in-law took the pearls and the bet she made with Grand Princess Eleanor, just in case the numbers don’t match up later and they try to deceive me.”

Eleanor’s anger flared. “Stop your nonsense! I’ve said I didn’t take them. Are you trying to slander me?”

“Alright,” Carissa said soothingly. “You say you didn’t take them, so be it. Even so, I must report the facts to my master. After all, you have your side of the story, and I have witnesses to mine, don’t I?”

“Helen, are you just going to let her accuse me like this?” Eleanor’s voice grew harsh.

Helen didn’t know how to respond immediately, but was genuinely upset. How could Eleanor be so shameless?

Helen lifted her head and said, “There was indeed a bet. How can that be considered an accusation?”

Eleanor was taken aback by Helen’s defiance. The Grand Princess was used to being in control, and her expression darkened at the unfolding events.

Carissa gently grasped Helen’s slightly bewildered wrist and continued with a serene smile, “Mother, Aunt Eleanor is just joking with you. How could she possibly deny the bet? She was only trying to see if I, your daughter-in-law, am truly devoted. She took the risk of her own reputation to help you test me. After all, if word got out that she encouraged you to steal your daughter-in-law’s dowry, it wouldn’t take long for the whole kingdom to know. Wandering minstrels might not be very skilled, but they’re quick to spread news.”