Chapter 458

The woman currently favored by Leopold was Margaret's niece. Made his concubine, she already had a son and daughter and was pregnant again, expecting to give birth in a few days.

Returning now would only add to Jessica's grievances, but with her mother's orders, she had no choice but to go back. The pride she once felt, boasting about returning to her natal family, seemed a distant memory. No one came to pick her up, and she returned alone, embarrassed.

Taking Serena as a concubine… that wretched woman had borne a son and daughter and was about to give birth again. Though Serena was foolish, her youth and beauty gave her an advantage. Jessica could let Serena deal with that woman and then profit from the ensuing chaos. Even so, Jessica's resentment towards Serena was profound. Wretched, all of them—Jessica had brought trouble upon herself.

Eleanor closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting. Yuvan's plan to marry a daughter of the Spencer family as his new wife had been settled shortly after Avis's death. The Spencers were powerful and influential, possessing soldiers, weapons, and warhorses. She wondered about the Spencer daughter's position within her family.

Oliver's daughter had also reached marriageable age and might be a good match. If Yuvan's eldest son, Randall, married her, they would gain the support of the Prince family. Oliver controlled the Hell Monarch Army and the Sinclair Army.

There were also the marriage arrangements for Stephanie and Sabrina, best managed within the high society of the capital. Through strategic marriages, they could attract important figures. But first, Eleanor needed a reason to bring Yuvan and his family back. For now, she couldn't afford to focus on Jessica and needed to plan carefully.

At Hell Monarch Estate, the lively atmosphere gradually faded as guests departed. Servants quickly tidied up, and Carissa escorted Helen back to her quarters. Helen had enjoyed herself and had drunk a little more than usual; her steps were unsteady.

Carissa called a maid and said, "Go and make a pot of sobering remedy for Mother."

"Understood, Your Grace," the maid responded promptly.

After the maid left, Carissa gently massaged Helen's forehead. "Are you still feeling dizzy?"

Helen closed her eyes with a smile. "I'm just so happy, really overjoyed. Today's banquet was exemplary, Carissa. How did you manage such perfection? It was such a grand event, and you handled everything alone without bothering me once."

Carissa's lips twitched as she held back a smile. If she had asked Helen for advice, the result might have been chaotic.

Slightly tipsy, Helen opened her eyes a crack and glanced at Carissa. "Now, there's no other regret. I just hope you'll soon give me a healthy grandson, so I can enjoy the same delight as Lady Dakota."

Carissa smiled. "Well, if I can't give you one, would it be acceptable for Rafael to marry a few concubines?"

"That would naturally be…" Helen was excitedly about to agree when she noticed her son standing at the door. His tall shadow loomed like a giant beast on the wall. She froze momentarily but reassured herself that marrying concubines wasn't wrong—every family did it.

She forced a smile. "You're so generous. It seems the rumors about you being jealous are just that—rumors."

"Taking in concubines?" Rafael strode in, his voice icy. "I married you because you wouldn't tolerate concubines. So, the rumors about you being jealous aren't true?"

"What?" Helen didn't immediately understand. "You want her to be jealous? Why?"

"Because I dislike having many women around me. I don't want any secondary wives or concubines."

Rafael's gaze shifted from Carissa to Helen, his voice growing colder. "If she dares to arrange for concubines, I'll raise hell with her from dawn till dusk, even if it means going against the entire Pathfinders Guild or the martial world. I won't stop, not even if the Pathfinders Guild members turn me into mincemeat. There's no way I'll tolerate another woman around me. If she wants to try, she can go ahead and see what happens."

Helen shivered, suddenly completely sober. She stood up and scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about? Saying something as unlucky as getting turned to mincemeat?! If your wife wants to arrange a concubine for you, that's her being generous. Why are you throwing a fit at her?"

Rafael coldly replied, "Let her try to get me a concubine. If she does, I'll bring down this estate and then tear down the Pathfinders Guild."

"You're insane! The Pathfinders Guild is full of experts! How could you possibly take them on?" Helen was so frightened that she moved forward and tried to cover his mouth. "Just be quiet. Who said anything about taking concubines? Even if Carissa wanted to, I would never allow it."