Her Graceful War Song

The queen dowager had sharp eyes-she immediately noticed her younger sister's discontent.

After Rafael and Carissa went to greet the king and queen, Victoria held back Helen and Gillian for a private conversation.

She first addressed Gillian.

"Now that you've left the palace and entered the household, things are different. Social interactions are Inevitable, and any misstep in words or deeds could bring trouble to Rafael's reputation. So, you must be even more careful in your conduct, with no room for error.

"Your mistress was raised by you and has been spoiled by you, but if you notice anything amiss in the future, you must speak up immediately. If she intends to do something inappropriate, you must persuade her otherwise. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand," Gillian replied respectfully.

However, Helen pouted. "Victoria, what could I possibly do wrong? Besides, I'll be managing the household affairs from now on, with Gillian and Luke assisting me, and Jacob offering advice. What could go wrong?"

"You? Manage the household?" Victoria waved her hand, shaking her head firmly. "No, you should just enjoy your life in Rafael's residence. You're not to interfere with the household matters. If you want to manage something, stick to overseeing your own courtyard and the people within it. Didn't you bring enough people with you? That should be plenty to keep you occupied."

"Victoria, what are you saying? I'm Rafael's mother! If I don't help him manage the household, who will? Surely not Carissa? What does that little girl know?" Helen protested. However, Victoria didn't mince words in her retort.

"She knows more than you, even if she knows little. When our mother tried to teach you how to understand the numbers in the account books while you were still unmarried, you refused to learn. After entering the palace, you couldn't even outmaneuver a mere concubine.

"If it weren't for me watching over you, do you think they would have let you live so comfortably all these years? When Rafael was six months old, I was unwell and had to rest for a few days, and during that time, he was nearly poisoned and died. Have you forgotten?"

Helen immediately felt embarrassed. "Why bring up something that happened so long ago? That incident was an accident. Libby had slipped something into the wet nurse's food, which caused Rafael to vomit and have diarrhea after feeding. That wicked woman-didn't you deal with her?"

"If it weren't for me investigating thoroughly, how would we have discovered that Libby had drugged the wet nurse? And why did she do it? Wasn't it because you kept punishing her and venting your anger on her? She was beautiful, and you couldn't stand the fact that the late king favored her slightly. With that kind of temperament, you think you can manage Rafael's household? You'd better drop that idea before you create more trouble for Rafael and Carissa."

Helen was deeply displeased at being reprimanded by her sister for something that happened so many years ago. She couldn't help but think it was all because her sister now favored Carissa

"You used to care for me the most, but now you only care about Carissa," Helen said, feeling aggrieved." Don't forget who your real sister is."

Victoria looked at Helen's pitiful expression, and regretted having spoiled her all these years. Especially after the late king passed, she had been lenient with Helen, sympathizing with her loneliness. Victoria had hoped that once Rafael married, Helen would assume the role of a proper mother-in-law. Little did she expect that Helen would now be competing with her daughter-in-law for attention.

Victoria was determined not to indulge Helen any further. Her eyes sharpened as she rebuked Helen.

"Put away your pettiness. You're a mother-in-law now, and yet you're jealous of your daughter-in-law? From now on, she's part of your family. As her mother-in-law, you should be protecting her, not competing with her. What kind of behavior is that? Aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"

Although Helen was still somewhat dissatisfied, she knew her sister rarely spoke to her with such severity. unless truly furious. While Helen wasn't the brightest, she wasn't entirely foolish either. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Helen quickly put on a pitiful expression and nodded. "Yes, I understand."This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Inwardly, Helen was relieved that her sister hadn't found out about the pearls she had taken from Carissa's dowry to give to Eleanor.

Otherwise, she would have been in for a much harsher reprimand!