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She glanced at Gillian, and noticed the latter’s uneasy expression,
“Gillian, what do you think?” Sophie asked.
Gillian forced a smile. “Your Highness, I it shouldn’t be possible for her not to return them. Lady Helen’s reasoning is sound. Besides, why would Grand Princess Eleanor covet your Mystic Pearls?” Gillian’s last few words were barely audible.
The older woman understood everything but chose not to disclose it to Helen, perhaps having tried in the past with no effect. Now, she preferred to turn a blind eye and avoid trouble. Sophie nearly laughed, struggling to suppress her disdain.
Looking at Helen’s smug face, Sophie couldn’t help but retort, “She won’t return them, so I’m going to take them by force. Mother, keep silent, don’t speak up for them, and definitely don’t make excuses. Most importantly, don’t use my dowry to smooth things over
Helen was incensed. “What nonsense are you speaking? Does Grand Princess Eleanor really covet a few of your Mystic Pearls? Though valuable, they are not scarce in Grand Princess Eleanor’s household. Besides, what does she lack? Everyone in the capital knows that!”
Sophie responded with a scoff. “Alright, we’ll see about that!”
Helen seized the opportunity to reprimand Sophie. “You show such disrespect and suspicion toward Grand Princess Eleanor. Once we return to the estate, I’ll have to punish you properly!” Sophie rolled her eyes dismissively, uninterested in Helen’s threats. She thought to herself that soon enough, they would see who would be proven wrong and look foolish.
The carriage pulled up to Harmony Palace.
The doorman went inside to report, and soon emerged with a look of apology.
“I beg your pardon, Lady Helen and Lady Sophie. I forgot for a moment, but it turns out Grand Princess Eleanor has gone out today.”
Upon hearing this, Helen turned to Sophie and said, “In that case, we should return for now. We can leave a message and come back tomorrow.” Sophie asked the doorman, “Do you know where Grand Princess Eleanor has gone? What time will she return?”
The doorman replied, “I’m not sure. She might not be back until very late.”
Sophie responded, “That’s fine. We’ll wait.”
She then took Helen’s hand, and moved to enter the residence.
Seeing this, the doorman hurried over. “Lady Helen, Lady Sophie, this is Grand Princess Eleanor’s residence. You cannot just barge in.”
Sophie smiled. “How is it barging in? We’re here for a visit and will wait for Grand Princess Eleanor to return. Can’t this place accommodate guests?” The doorman, who had experienced Sophie’s assertiveness before, didn’t believe she was someone easily dealt with, despite her smiling demeanor. While he hesitated, Sophie had already pulled Helen inside.
Along the way, Helen protested, “Have you no sense of propriety? He already said that she’s not here. How long will you wait? Until evening?”
“I’ll wait until tomorrow if necessary,” Sophie said with a steely glare. “Mother, Gillian, if we can’t meet her today, I won’t leave.”
Helen was exasperated, and retorted, “Didn’t you say you could give the Mystic Pearls to me? If so, I’ll decide when I get them back.”
“Very well,” Sophie said with equal determination. “Then, you should return for now. If you won’t wait, I will.”
She released Helen’s wrist, but Helen was unwilling to let her stay alone.
Sophie seemed anything but accommodating. Her attitude made Helen worry that offending Eleanor, especially on her account, could lead to trouble.
Eleanor was not someone to be trifled with.
“Fine, I’ll wait. Are you satisfied now?” Helen said tersely as she walked further inside, muttering about how Eleanor was not the sort to be offended, and how it would be troublesome if they did. Sophie could hardly understand what was going on in her mother-in-law’s head. Was there nothing but air in there?
Over the years, Helen had lived so recklessly, causing endless worry for Victoria. Sophie felt deeply for Victoria, who had undoubtedly been exhausted by Helen’s antics.
Once inside the main hall, the servants did their best to attend to their guests. Everyone in Harmony Palace knew that while Helen could be managed, this new princess consort of the Hell Monarch was not to be trifled with.
Sophie was the kind who would seek revenge if offended.
Refreshments were soon served, and there were people waiting on Helen and Sophie in the hall.
Sophie took in the surroundings of the main hall. The floor was paved with white marble, and the intricately carved wooden beams were adorned with exquisite paintings. Two rows of delicate mahogany chairs lined the hall, their intricate carvings gleaming softly in the light.
On the wall directly opposite the entrance hung a grand landscape painting, majestic and imposing. To the right of the hall was a pearl curtain door, leading to the side hall.
Using pearls as curtains indeed looked very luxurious.
Everything in sight showcased just how incredibly wealthy and prestigious Eleanor was. It was clear that such opulence required a significant amount of money.
The staff alone, with their numerous numbers, cost a considerable sum each month.
While a prince could have five hundred household soldiers, Eleanor’s residence maintained the same standard. It was generally not permitted, but since the late king had not objected and the current king also turned a blind eye, she continued to keep the standard.
These five hundred household soldiers had expenses in clothing, food, housing, and travel—all of which cost money.
Furthermore, Eleanor was known for her love of hosting grand banquets to solidify her connections in the capital.
Her guests were either wealthy or noble, and whether for a tea party or a full-on banquet, everything had to be exquisite.
If guests brought their children, Eleanor, given her status, had to give gifts. Over the years, maintaining such grandeur would be unsustainable.
If she were truly so wealthy, she wouldn’t be so fixated on Sophie’s naive mother-in-law.
Sophie sat for a while, but did not touch the coffee or snacks. Instead, she rose and announced her intention to walk around.
In Harmony Palace, guests were generally allowed to explore and enjoy the surroundings, provided that such arrangements had been made in advance.
However, uninvited intrusions or requests to wander about were not permitted. There were certain areas within the residence that were off-limits, hiding secrets Eleanor would rather keep concealed.
As the princess consort of the Hell Monarch, Sophie was not to be stopped by the household guards. If they dared to interfere or make a remark, they would face severe consequences.
Ordinary servants could not halt her advance toward the inner courtyard. Despite several attempts to block her, she skillfully maneuvered past them and made her way with purpose toward the inner courtyard. Just as she approached one of the courtyards, someone shouted loudly, “Grand Princess Eleanor has returned!”
Sophie’s lips curled into a smile.
Ah, so Eleanor was finally willing to come out.
Sophie adjusted her hair, and cast a cursory glance at the courtyard. “Since the grand princess has returned, I’ll just wait in the main hall.”
The servants were visibly nervous, and responded, “Yes, Your Highness. Please wait in the main hall. The grand princess will change and join you shortly.”
Sophie returned to the main hall to find Helen had finished all the snacks and was now requesting a new cup of coffee, as the previous one had gone cold.
Helen was usually commanding and imperious, but she had adopted a notably subdued demeanor within Harmony Palace, showing considerable courtesy to the servants.
Upon seeing Sophie return, Helen grumbled, “Grand Princess Eleanor has returned. You’ve managed to wait long enough.”