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Zoey looked at her younger sister-in-law, feeling that her words might not fully capture the situation. Considering Viola and Sophie’s relationship, they would typically avoid each other in public to steer clear of any unwanted gossip.
Evelyn’s expression grew stern. “Enough. If she wants to go, let her. Now that Blake has been demoted, Viola must think about his future.”
Hearing her mother-in-law’s decision, Zoey had no further objections.
“We’ll do as you say, Mother.”
However, even after Zoey left the room, her brows remained furrowed.
Her maid, Mia, asked, “Madam Zoey, is it because you don’t want Madam Viola to go?”
“Why would she want to go? Is she trying to make things difficult for everyone?” Zoey shook her head. “But Mother has always been indulgent towards her. Whatever she has asked for over the years, Mother has never opposed. If I stop her now, Mother might hold a grudge against me.”
Zoey thought further, adding, “Besides, the Farrell family’s men were once under the command of the Duke of Northwatch, and later, followed the Hell Monarch. I heard that General Timothy has returned to the capital, so the Farrell family will definitely be on the guest list. Didn’t she consider that? How will she face the Farrell family when the time comes?”
“But didn’t the Farrell family issue her a divorce letter? They must have hoped she would remarry, not spend her life mourning for her former husband. The Farrell family is kind-hearted. They probably wish to see her remarried,” Mia replied.
“But she married Blake, who betrayed the Hell Monarch’s princess consort. The Farrell family were all followers of the Duke of Northwatch back then,” Zoey protested.
Zoey hadn’t forgotten that her younger sister-in-law had once compared her dowry with that of the
Hell Monarch’s princess consort.
Viola had been quite pleased with herself, thinking her dowry would’ surpass Sophie’s, only to be dismayed when many valuable items were added to Sophie’s trousseau just before the wedding. Viola had even cursed in frustration over it.
Zoey didn’t believe Viola could have a calm conversation with Sophie. Even if Sophie was kind, it was likely out of respect for the Prince family rather than genuine warmth.
“On the day of the birthday banquet, keep a close watch on her,” Zoey instructed. “My husband has just taken up command. We can’t afford any criticism because of her.”
“I understand, Madam Zoey. You can rest assured,” Mia replied.
Sophie had indeed extended an invitation to the Farrell family. They were a distinguished family of military tradition, and Timothy was still serving in the Hell Monarch Army.
Due to an old illness, the family’s elder general had been bedridden for the past two or three years. Currently, the matriarch of the Farrell family was Timothy’s wife, Opal. The other branches of the family, having lost the people of the younger generations, tended to keep a low profile and rarely made public appearances.
A family of military officers bore a unique pain that others might not understand.
With her husband still serving in the military and her children unmarried, Opal had to make public appearances to plan for the marriages and futures of her children.
Her eldest son was also a soldier but had been injured in battle, which prevented him from settling down. Meanwhile, having passed the national examination, her second son was pursuing a scholarly career and needed to continue his studies.
There was also a daughter, Nina Farrell, who was thirteen this year. Though there was no immediate rush, some families made marriage arrangements for girls as young as twelve or thirteen, and she had yet to find a suitor.
This time, when the Farrell family received the invitation to Helen’s birthday banquet, Opal decided to take her aunt-in-law, Alice, out for a change of scenery. She had heard that no one from the Jaffe family had been invited, so she felt it was safe to bring Alice, who was the mother of Thomas Farrell, along.
Alice had been melancholic for years, grieving over the loss of Thomas. However, she needed to think about her other children and could not remain in her sorrow forever. After some persuasion, she agreed to attend the banquet.
Opal prepared a gift for her aunt-in-law. When the time came, they would set off together for Hell Monarch Estate to celebrate Helen’s birthday. She would also bring her siblings to broaden their horizons. March passed quickly, with the verdant growth of spring giving way to the blossoming April.
Soon, Helen’s birthday arrived. In the lead-up to the event, the people of Hell Monarch Estate had been busy for half a month.
The garden was adorned with flowers. In addition to those Helen had chosen, Sophie had added many more. The bougainvillea on the walls had also bloomed, resembling clusters of purple-red clouds, creating a beautiful scene.
Three theater troupes had been hired well in advance, and they would take turns to perform from morning until night.
The pastries that would be served to the guests were made by the household’s dedicated pastry chefs, and they were not at all inferior to those from the famous bakery, Fortune Bakehouse.
The banquet featured a total of eighteen dishes, including a variety of mountain delicacies and seafood, but also some unique homemade favorites. There were even vegetarian options prepared for guests who didn’t eat meat.
For example, the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family and some members of the Farrell family all preferred to avoid meat. Several of the older Devin family members also followed a vegetarian diet, hoping that their prayers for their family’s men would ensure their invincibility on the battlefield.
In reality, the hope was more about wishing for their safe return from battle. Unfortunately, the Devin family’s pillar, the Duke of Northwatch’s family, now consisted only of Sophie and Ryan. Despite this, the Devin family members continued to eat vegetarian food. One reason was out of habit, as they could no longer tolerate even the slightest bit of meat. The other reason was a hope for the souls of the departed to attain rebirth more quickly.
Sophie was dressed in a soft pink-colored dress with a peach-colored outer cloak. The cloak was made from cloud satin and was light and airy, giving her an ethereal, almost celestial appearance.
Her makeup was subtle, and her hair was styled in a sophisticated bun. A Mystic Pearl headpiece sat on her head, which added a touch of elegance and grace without overshadowing her natural beauty. Rafael, on the other hand, wore a dark brocade robe cinched with a leather belt, from which hung an emerald pendant on his left side. His attire was both striking and dignified, blending handsomeness with a sense of authority.
Helen had dressed elaborately for the occasion. Her hair was adorned with a lavish array of jewels and pearls, and her luxurious brocade outfit was embroidered with large peonies in gold and silver thread. Over her attire, she wore a silk shawl, which was made of a lighter and more refined material than cloud satin, offering a subtle but undeniable air of luxury and refinement.
Helen had entered the palace at the age of sixteen, gave birth to Rafael at seventeen, and this year, turned forty-two. She always insisted she still looked young, and dressed like this, she really did. Her complexion was fair and smooth, with only faint lines at the corners of her eyes and a few white hairs, which had been removed.
Around her neck, she wore a dazzling and eye-catching red coral necklace, of which each bead was round and fiery red. Her hair was adorned with rubies, as were heret earrings, and she wore two haikins that dangled with jeweled tassels. The pin on the left had a large Mystic Pearl that looked just like the ones from Sophie’s dowry set in it.
It wasn’t just a coincidence-every piece of jewelry Helen wore today had been custom-made by Sophie, gifted to her as a birthday present.
Soon, the guests began to arrive one after another.
The weather today was truly perfect. The sun was just right, and the sunlight filtering through the branches made everything warm and pleasant.
Helen sat gracefully in the main hall, receiving the guests’ congratulations. Luke, accompanied by his staff, collected the gifts and recorded them meticulously. Each gift needed to be noted down, and its value assessed, so that an appropriate return gift could be prepared for future occasions.
The ladies were adorned in delicate makeup and draped in jewels that shimmered with an air of opulence, exuding a wealth that was beyond words. Helen’s smile had become somewhat rigid from the sheer number of well-wishers. She glanced over at Sophie and saw that the latter remained composed, her smile as natural as if it had sprung from her heart.
Helen couldn’t help but admire Sophie’s ease. She handled such grand occasions with an unflappable grace.
Rafael and Jacob received the male guests in the main building’s reception room. Since it was Helen’s birthday, the main hall was reserved for her and the female guests.
Due to Helen’s special status, the main courtyard and hall had been used for the event.
Meredith and Henrietta arrived, as did Natalie, the prime minister’s wife, and Hannah, the defense minister’s wife. Mary, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter-in-law also made their appearances. Soon, Eleanor arrived with Jessica. Sophie took a glance, and saw a familiar face.
Serena? She had come with Eleanor and Jessica?
That added an interesting twist.
When the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family arrived, Sophie helped Helen rise to greet her. The elderly lady was advanced in years and rarely attended such social gatherings, but today she had honored them with her presence, so Helen made sure to personally welcome her.
Mary entered amidst a throng of daughters-in-law. No one knew how powerful the family really was, but they certainly had plenty of people. Mary was over ninety years old, and everyone present stood to greet her. Even the high princesses present at the banquet nodded slightly out of respect.
“Oh, there’s no need for that!” Mary quickly returned their gestures with a smile. “Today is Lady Helen’s birthday celebration. I’m just an old woman here for a good meal.”
Meredith smiled and said, “Madam