Kylie smiled.


    "Mother, you remembering her name is truly a blessing for her. My cousin is indeed of age this year, just 15 and a half. My aunt has been arranging a marriage for her and hase to me for help."


    Victoria nodded. "So I''ve heard. Your aunt favors the third son of the Marquis of ndale. I sent someone to inquire about him-he''s talented, of good character, and would make an excellent match. They are of a simr age, and it seems quite suitable." Kylie''s face instantly darkened. Under Victoria''s sharp gaze, she felt as if her every thought had beenid bare. Still, she tried to salvage the situation, fumbling for words.


    "Marriage is a significant matter, and it shouldn''t be rushed. It''s important that my cousin herself finds the match agreeable."


    Victoria nodded thoughtfully. "That''s true. So, I won''t bestow a marriage edict upon her just yet. She should choose for herself. If she truly approves, she cane to me for a favor. On your behalf, I would be willing to issue an edict then." Kylie''s expression tightened with frustration. Wasn''t this an obvious refusal to allow her to arrange the marriage?


    Who had leaked the information? It had only been yesterday that her people had visited the Farrell family, and today that she had called Alice to the pce. Kylie hadn''t even had a chance to speak to Alice about it, and Victoria had already called her to be rebuked. "There''s nothing else to discuss. Just go back and tell your aunt that she should wait for your cousin''s wishes. After all, marriage is not something parents should force upon their children." Victoria dismissed her with a wave.


    Kylie rose and bowed. "I''m grateful for your concern, Mother. I will take my leave now."


    Lydia also bowed and stepped forward to help Kylie with her cloak. Both women left the pce.


    Once they were gone, Carissa and Violet stepped out from behind the partition screen. They had been hiding behind it, listening to the conversation between the two women.


    Violet was curious and asked, "Your Majesty, why not just directly grant the marriage between Jocelyn and the third son of the Marquis of ndale?" Victoria chuckled softly.


    "Silly girl, marriage is a serious matter. If it''s not a match based on mutual affection, it will only end in resentment. That''s harmful to both parties. In her current behavior, Jocelyn is clearly not a suitable match. She''s caused such a stir at Gracewood Women''s Academy, and it doesn''t reflect well on her. As for the third son of the Marquis of ndale-he seems like a man who could be of use."


    Violet let out a soft exmation. "You''ve really thought things through, Your Majesty. Unlike me, I''m too short-sighted. The only thing I''m seeing right now is that she doesn''t seem like a good person."


    Victoria smiled. "One cannot judge a person''s worth by their actions in a single moment. Life is long, and who hasn''t done a few things they regret? Especially in their youth, when they''re impetuous. Of course, if they don''t recognize their mistakes or worse, refuse to correct them-that''s another matter."


    Victoria rarely gave lectures, but she had a soft spot for Carissa and Violet. She wanted to offer them some advice and share her experience.


    She was aware of the situation at Gracewood Women''s Academy but didn''t feel it necessary to intervene just yet. A few bad apples didn''t


    require her to take charge. The


    academy would be fine. It wasn''t


    going tost long if it couldn''t find its footing without her intervention.


    She believed that after a little disorder, things could eventually get back on track.


    -


    Kylie stormed back to Everspring Pce. Taking a deep breath outside the hall, she forced a smile and walked inside.


    Alice quickly rose to her feet. "Your Majesty, you have returned."


    "Mrs. Farrell, I apologize for the wait. Please sit."


    Although Kylie could no longer arrange the marriage, she still hadn''t given up on her ns. She maintained a cordial and pleasant demeanor toward Alice.


    "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    Alice sat down. Seeing Kylie''s expression as she entered, Alice sensed that Victoria had already given her a warning, which meant that Carissa must have already gone to see Victoria.


    She felt a small sense of relief.


    Since the marriage discussion could


    no longer be broached, Kylie


    engaged in casual conversation, asking about the Farrell family and all their affairs, before eventually signaling to Alice that it was time to leave.


    Alice put on a confused expression. It was as if she found it strange that the queen had summoned her to the pce without saying anything important, but didn''t dare to ask.


    As she was about to leave, she paused, casting a questioning nce over her shoulder before walking out.


    Kylie''s face immediately darkened, and she gave orders. "Lydia, find out who visited the queen dowagerst night or today."


    After an hour, Lydia returned and reported, "Your Majesty, I''ve asked the pce guards. Lady Carissa and Ms. Spencer entered the pce today. They went to Serenity Pce." Kylie furrowed her brow. "Why her again?"


    Kylie had carried a grudge against


    Carissa for a long time, ever since Salvador tried to bring her into the pce. Then came the


    met


    investigations into Eleanor, which


    exposed Malcolm''s affair and


    tarnished the Quinton family''s reputation. The trouble with Ryan and Connor only fueled her


    resentment further.