Melody of Strength novel

Chapter 489

Carissa had Violet arrange for someone to keep an eye on Samuel for a few days. Despite everything, this once–renowned scholar, who had been favored by his family’s matriarch, still held onto his lofty ambitions.

Over the past few days, Samuel had carried his written articles to the National Academy, hoping to find someone to present them to the king. But no one at the National Academy would pay him any attention anymore.

Believing it was because they were jealous of his talent, Samuel seethed with frustration. Determined, he then sought out people at the Academy of Wisdom. But no matter where he went, people deliberately avoided him.

After all, he was

a top scholar who had been personally demoted by the king, destroyed his marriage for a favored mistress, abandoned his family to set up his own household, and even renounced his title as heir. To make matters worse, rumors had spread that he had married the daughter of a merchant, then forced her to use her dowry to buy the freedom of a woman from a brothel. Even though the civil officials considered that a minor offense, it was still a sign of moral corruption and a disgrace to the scholars.

Then, the truth about Ruby’s identity started to circulate

Although no one knew for certain whether it was true or false, it cast a shadow that made people even more wary of Samuel. He spent several days running around to no avail. Enraged, he blamed Rafael, convinced that it was the prince’s influence and power that caused everyone to avoid him.

Consumed by resentment, Samuel drank heavily at a tavern.

In his drunken stupor, he clenched his fist and shouted, “The king’s power only protects the nobility! Prince Rafael, with his overwhelming military achievements, does whatever he pleases. Why does no one dare stand up to him? The entire court are cowards, all of them!”

It didn’t take more than three days for those reckless words, shouted in a public place, to spread like wildfire across the capital. Soon, all the court officials had heard about it.

The reaction was swift. Both civil and military officials denounced Samuel, calling him arrogant and self- righteous. Reports criticizing him began piling up on the prime minister’s desk.

Jeremiah, of course, did not conceal the matter and reported it directly to the king. Salvador summoned Rafael to royal study for questioning, and soon, the events of that day were laid bare.

Leona was Salvador’s younger cousin. She had always been kind and well–mannered, adored by everyone who knew her. No one had expected Samuel to treat her so cruelly.

As for Ruby, the revelation that she was Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter sent a ripple of suspicion through Salvador’s mind.

Carissa had deliberately leaked Ruby’s true identity. It was her way of informing Eleanor that the secrets she thought were well hidden had long been exposed. As for how much Carissa actually knew? That was for Eleanor to speculate on. The real torment came from not knowing the full extent.

Carissa wasn’t worried about Eleanor–Rafael and Jacob were already handling that situation. What concerned her more was Leona.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 499

Alana had come by recently, explaining that the duchess had brought up the idea of divorce with her mother, only to be met with a harsh refusal. Ever since, Leona seemed completely deflated, as if all life had been drained from her.

Even when she had been deeply disappointed by Samuel and the Earl of Gracehold’s family, Leona had never been this despondent.

Carissa feared that in her fragile state, her cousin might do something drastic. So, she asked Alana and Leah to keep a close watch on the duchess and ensure she didn’t act impulsively.

As Alana was leaving, she remarked, “Lady Heather might come looking for you. That night, I overheard the conversation from outside the door. When the duchess proposed the divorce, Lady Heather seemed to think you had been the one to instigate it.”

Carissa wasn’t at all concerned about Heather’s visit. She was thoroughly disappointed in her aunt and had nothing much to say to her. But if Heather wanted to come, then let her come.

True to expectations, as the news of Samuel’s outburst against the court officials spread and escalated, Heather showed up at Hell Monarch Estate.

Helen had initially planned to confront Heather with a few harsh words, but Violet persuaded her to off.

hold

“You’ve already said your piece to her that night. Let’s hear what she has to say today. If she’s here with good intentions for the duchess, we can forgive her. If she’s here to make things difficult for Cari, then you can deal with her as Carl’s mother–in–law.”

Despite Violet’s words, Helen, who was still seething with anger, muttered, “I’ve never seen a mother act like this. It’s a disgrace for a mother.”