Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 728

Harmony Palace was in disarray.

All the stewards, along with Eleanor, had been taken away. The palace maids and servants were temporarily confined in Harmony Palace under the watchful eye of the Supreme Court officials, to be summoned later for questioning.

The Capital Guard and the Garrison Unit had withdrawn, and the case was now in the hands of the Supreme Court.

Rafael's deputy minister, Matthew, arranged for the women who had been imprisoned to send word back to their families. If their families were found to be involved and their assets needed to be confiscated after the case was over, the Supreme Court would take the money from Eleanor's funds instead.

Melanie Lester lived in the capital, so she was allowed to return home first. Carmen came to pick her up personally, still reeling in disbelief that the operation had taken place on the first of October rather than the fifteenth.

Thinking about how Carissa had kept that from her, Carmen felt a surge of anger. Carissa didn't trust her. Carmen had shared everything with her and had even brought Henry along, yet Carissa had concealed her true plan.

It wasn't until they were in the carriage on the way home that her mother spoke up, "Your dad never intended to cooperate with Lady Carissa. He told Grand Princess Eleanor about the plan for the fifteenth. It wouldn't have succeeded if the timetable hadn't been moved up."

Carmen could hardly believe her ears. "Dad sold me out? Doesn't he realize he could have gotten me killed?"

Melanie leaned weakly against her daughter's shoulder, tears slipping down her cheeks. "He sees each daughter as a tool, just like Grand Princess Eleanor."

Melanie gripped her daughter's hand, teeth clenched as she warned, "Remember, you can't trust men. Don't give your heart away even when it comes time for you to marry. Never follow the same path as me. I fell for his lies, and it led to you two being used by him. You're better off because you've had some training in martial arts and are on the right path. However, your sister has been taught all the wrong things from childhood. Her life is ruined."

"Now that you're safe, Celeste doesn't have to carry out any more tasks. She can come home," Carmen said, wiping her tears.

Melanie let out a long sigh. "She visited me. I told her to escape and forget about me. She claimed she was merely playing the part of a servant for that poisonous woman, but deep down, she wants to entangle herself with a powerful family.

"She wondered why she should settle for less. She's gone astray, and likely thinks she can make her own way in the world. But it's not entirely her fault. From a young age, that venomous woman taught her to only pursue wealth and power. Those are the only things in Celeste's eyes now."