Melody of Strength novel

In the sitting room, the fragrance of coffee filled the air.

Lulu brought out some cloud cakes. It was raining outside, and her shoes were soaked. As she walked across the cloud–patterned stone floor, several clear footprints were left behind.

Carissa didn’t speak. She sat in a chair, slowly sipping her coffee, with only a high, square table separatin her from Heather.

The cloud cakes were placed on the table. Lulu, holding a tray, retreated to stand at the door, keeping watch. Carissa picked up a piece of cloud cake by hand and ate it slowly. The sound of her chewing was barely audible.

Heather also took a piece with a fork and brought it to her mouth. She ate with refined manners, taking small bites and using a tiny porcelain saucer underneath to catch any crumbs that might fall onto her purple floral gown.

Heather’s skin had a yellowish tint, and the purple gown she wore made her complexion look even duller. Her eyes were lifeless and shadowed with dark circles, clearly the result of several sleepless nights.

Perhaps because Carissa hadn’t spoken yet, Heather finally couldn’t hold back.

Setting down her plate and fork, she wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and said, ” Carissa, have you become so estranged from me, your aunt?”

“I thought it was you who had become estranged from me,” Carissa calmly replied.

Heather sighed softly. “It’s because of the matter with Leona’s trousseau, isn’t it? I owe you an apology for that. Let’s just put it behind us, shall we? We’re family, after all. If your mother were here to see us fighting like this, it would surely break her heart.”

“If my mother were to be heartbroken, it wouldn’t be because of me,” Carissa said, meeting Heather’s gaze. “Furthermore, I haven’t given a second thought to the issue of Leona’s trousseau and your refusal. So, if you’re here for something specific, just say it directly. There’s no need to bring my mother into this.” Heather’s expression was conflicted. “You say you haven’t given it a second thought, but do you know that because of you, our family was placed under house arrest for a month? We weren’t even allowed into the palace for New Year’s Eve that year.”

“So, are you blaming me for that matter, Aunt Heather? Carissa asked, finding the situation rather amusing.

“I didn’t meanContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

to blame you.”

Heather hesitated, her frustration evident. In truth, she was indeed upset. Harvey’s household had always. been modest and low–key. They had never courted trouble or caused any issues, so it was hard to believe that the king had placed them under house arrest,

“You’re here to talk about Leona, right? Just say what you need to,” Carissa said, clearly tired of beating around the bush.

Heather turned to face her niece more directly, her hands clasped in her lap.

“Yes, that’s right, Carissa. Your cousin is not like you. She’s timid, delicate, and has a fragile constitution.

She can’t handle hardship, and she won’t be able to handle the gossip and scrutiny that follows a divorce. Besides, she is a duchess. How will it look if a duchess is forced into a divorce by a courtesan from a brothel? She won’t be able to endure the embarrassment.”

Her tone became more earnest, “So, I’m pleading with you not to encourage her to get a divorce. She is pregnant now and can’t handle such upheavals. Besides, what man doesn’t have multiple wives or concubines?

“Leona is capable of tolerating others. Even if Ruby is beautiful, people tire of looking at the same face. Leona’s character is solid and respectable. If she waits three to five years, Samuel will definitely return to her. At that time, life will get better.”

Carissa’s eyes remained cold and indifferent. “Do you think I encouraged her to get a divorce, Aunt Heather?”

“If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have said such ridiculous things. She’s only been married for a short time, and she’s pregnant. If this child is a son, he’ll be the heir to the Earl of Gracehold’s title, a position of high status. Why choose a difficult path now, one that’s so challenging for a woman to navigate?” Heather replied.

Carissa’s eyes were full of disdain, but she maintained her composure. “Aunt Heather, you’ve misunderstood. I have never encouraged Leona to get a divorce. Have you considered that her fragile nature, especially while pregnant, might make her feel exceptionally distressed?”

“What woman doesn’t feel distressed at some point? Heather countered.

“She’s a duchess, and her parents are a prince and princess consort. She has support–she doesn’t have to feel so distressed,” Carissa replied.

Heather’s tone grew sharp, “Is that what you’ve been telling her? Did you lead her into believing that her family could support her, making her think it’s acceptable to pursue a divorce so recklessly?”