Before leaving for Victory Pass, Carissa wanted to visit Victoria. She had long hoped for the chance to enter the pce to see the queen dowager, and perhaps catch a glimpse of Helen, or even Salvador.


    In their past life, Victoria and Helen had passed on after living long lives. Even so, their deaths still grieved Carissa deeply. She had mourned for quite some time and thought it was a farewell for eternity.


    Never had she imagined she would get to see them again.


    As an unmarried youngdy, Carissa could not enter the pce alone. Proper etiquette required her mother to apany her and present a formal request for an audience. Once Victoria granted it, they were permitted to visit.


    Since the loss of her husband and sons, Mnie had not stepped beyond the gates of Northwatch Estate. Now, Carissa hoped a short outing might lift her mother''s spirits. Additionally, a meeting with Victoria might offer somefort and possibly aid in her recovery.


    Mnie didn''t want to go at first. But her daughter pleaded again and again, and atst, she relented. Due to her poor eyesight, she struggled to walk well. Carissa supported her the entire way until they arrived at Serenity Pce.


    Once there, Keith came out to greet them. When he saw Mnie, his eyes grew misty.


    He tucked one hand behind his back and bowed slightly. "Madam Sinir, I hope you''ve been well?"


    "Thank you for asking, Mr. Finley. All is well," Mnie replied with a gentle smile.


    Keith nodded, now smiling warmly. "Her Majesty has been expecting you. This way, please."


    Inside Serenity Pce, Carissa immediately saw Victoria seated upright in her chair. She leaned forward slightly, and her eyes were rimmed with red. Sitting next to her was Helen. At Victoria''s signal, she stood and came forward to gently help Mnie, who had begun to curtsy.


    "I''m so pleased you chose toe," Victoria said, her eyes bright with unshed tears as she looked at the now-seated Mnie.


    "I''ve worried you, Your Majesty. The fault is mine," Mnie said, trying to smile.


    But perhaps because she had known Victoria since they were young women, she could never quite hide her feelings in front of her. Mnie''s smile trembled and her voice shook.


    Victoria sighed heavily and turned to look at Carissa, only to find thetter staring at her with wide and red-rimmed eyes. She was still so young, and had already lost her father and brothers.


    Victoria''s heart softened at once. "It is good that you''ve returned, my dear. Stay close to your mother and keep herpany."


    "Yes, Your Majesty," Carissa replied, lowering her gaze. But even as she blinked, tears slipped quietly down her cheek.


    Victoria saw it and assumed she was grieving her father and brothers again. Her own eyes grew dim with sorrow once more.


    Helen sat at the side, offering a few words offort when the moment called for it. She was never one for soothing others, not because shecked feeling, but simply because she wasn''t good with words. Still, awkward as her phrases were, it was clear that they came from the heart.


    After some time spent in quiet talk, Victoria turned to Mnie and asked, "I had heard you were arranging a match for Carissa, but then there was no more word of it. What happened?"


    Victoria had clearly caught wind of


    the rumors about how the Marquis of Northwatch''s family was merely toying with suitors, showing off its influence with no intention of settling a match. But she had never believed such talk. She thought there must be more to the matter,


    and so she asked directly.


    Mnie sighed softly. "I had thought that while my health still held, I ought to see her settled. I even had someone in mind whom I believed suitable, but she wouldn''t agree. She grew so distressed that she fell ill from it. How could I proceed then? I thought it best that she recover before we speak of it again."


    "That was foolish," said Victoria with a sharp nce. "I know well what''s in your heart. But your duty now is to care for yourself, and to hold up the household with your


    daughters-inw and grandchildren. That is what matters most. If you let your thoughts wander too often to dark ces, how will your body ever heal?"


    Victoria knew Mnie well. Thetter feared that if her health failed and she passed on, her daughter would be left to mourn for three years. By that time, Carissa might be thought too old to marry. But such sorrowful thinking only worsened the illness.


    Mnie also wanted, while she still lived, to be a support for her daughter, so that her future inws would not dare to mistreat her.


    Victoria held Mnie''s hand and gently urged her to ce her thoughts on the future. She should think about her grandchildren''s upbringing and education, and not dwell on what had alreadye to pass.


    Ofte, Mnie had shut herself off from the world. She hardly heard what anyone said, for grief had taken over her heart. But Victoria''s words, though much the same as others, seemed to reach her more deeply.


    Seeing her mother listen to the queen dowager, Carissa felt certain that the visit hadn''t been in vain.