Chapter 729

Carmen felt a chill run through her as she listened to her mother.

“That can’t be true! If she really wants to rely on a powerful family, wasn’t Samuel a good match? He loved her dearly.”

Melanie smiled bitterly. “Samuel was the Earl of Gracehold’s heir and a top scholar. However, he married the Duchess of Everpeace, Prince Harvey’s daughter. Therefore, Celeste had no hope of rising higher. Samuel may have said he loved her, but he never truly did anything for her. He doted on her, but he wouldn’t elevate her to the status of a rightful wife.”

Carmen blinked in confusion. “A rightful wife?”

As the carriage rolled forward, Melanie’s gaze darkened. “Yes. She believes that unless she becomes a rightful wife, she’ll have no chance of becoming the main wife after the current wife dies. If she can’t become a rightful wife, she’ll just be a concubine. Even if the main wife dies, she won’t attain her desired status. She said she could accept being a concubine, but she doesn’t want to spend her life in that role.”

“It’s understandable she wouldn’t want to be a concubine. Who would choose such a fate unless they had no other options? And she’s been used all this time for your sake. It’s tragic for her,” said Carmen, her heart twisting in turmoil.

Melanie leaned against Carmen, her breath coming in short gasps before a violent cough wracked her body, causing her to spit up blood.

Carmen anxiously patted her back. “Why are you coughing so violently, Mom? Didn’t you say a physician checked your health?”

“Yes,” Melanie replied, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth with her tattered sleeve, forcing a weak smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll get better. Remember my words—no matter what your sister asks you to do in the future, you must never agree to it. No matter what it is, don’t agree.”

Carmen frowned in confusion. Grand Princess Eleanor has fallen. What could Celeste possibly ask me to do? We could leave the capital and live somewhere no one knows us.

Melanie grasped her daughter’s wrist tightly, her breath coming in quick gasps. “Remember my words. You mustn’t have too much contact with her, and you shouldn’t see her again. Do you understand?”

As she finished speaking, another fit of coughing seized her, making her double over. It took a moment before she could straighten up again.

Once she did, she held onto Carmen’s hand and whispered hoarsely, “Do you understand?”

“I understand, Mom,” Carmen replied, tears brimming in her eyes as she watched her mother struggle to breathe. “Didn’t you say a physician checked on you? Why is your illness still this severe?”

Melanie leaned weakly against her daughter, her silence filled with unspoken sorrow. Tears streamed down her cheeks, a reflection of her profound grief.

The entire court was stunned by the scandal. No one had anticipated that Eleanor harbored such wicked ambitions. Alongside their shock, many officials were genuinely afraid, as their families frequently interacted with her.

Chapter 729 (continued)

During the morning court session, Salvador erupted in a furious rage. He issued orders for a thorough investigation. Still simmering with anger, he seized the moment to promote Carissa to the role of the Mystic Army’s commander, giving her control over the army and all its divisions.

Some officials opposed this decision, but no one dared to provoke Salvador’s wrath. Even the Oversight Department minister was silent, so the officials who opposed the decision had nothing more to say.

Furthermore, it was worth noting that Carissa had previously been the deputy commander of the Mystic Army, while the Hell Monarch was the commander. Now, she was simply taking over her husband’s position. Her abilities were clear for everyone to see.

However, some conservative officials believed that allowing women to hold positions of power at court would lead to chaos. They were particularly alarmed because, in addition to promoting Carissa, the king had also permitted her to establish a women’s academy in the name of the queen dowager.

If this continued, wouldn’t it mean women would rise to unprecedented power?

Of course, these concerns could be raised gradually. Today wasn’t the time to voice them.