"Do you think Madam Prince and Ms. Prince are in immediate danger?" Carissa asked.


    "Madam Prince should be fine, but if Ms. Prince''s fever doesn''t break soon, she could be in real danger. She''s too anxious. When she saw me, she kept grabbing my hand, asking if she was going to die. She kept babbling nonsense-ming one person, then another, before turning the me on herself for all the wrong decisions she''d made," Rowan replied.


    Carissa said nothing.


    She had no right to judge someone else''s life, but she couldn''t help but wish Vi wouldn''t drag Zoey down with her. If Vi were die in Astral Prison, it would only cause panic among the Earl of Silverstone''s family. This would undoubtedly increase Zoey''s already heavy burden.


    "Rowan, please check on them again in a couple of days."


    He nodded. "Of course."


    Carissa thought for a moment, then added, "I''ll apany you when you go."


    She wanted to have a private conversation with Zoey. In a hopeless ce like prison, having no one to


    talk to and only listening to endless crying would make the days feel like years.


    But right now, Carissa had other matters to attend to. With Salvador ill and court in recess, her only option was to find Jeremiah and inform him of the change in the riverworks personnel, exining how Cameron had reced the workers.


    More importantly, she had to meet with the generals of the Mystic Army to devise strategy and n their defense.


    The next day, after speaking with Jeremiah about the personnel change, she asked him to report it to Salvador. Then, she returned to the Capital Guard headquarters. She also gathered Kyle and Jacob to discuss the matter.


    They had to consider many possible scenarios. They couldn''t rule out internal coboration, so they needed to be ready for that. Those guarding the city gates had to be on high alert.


    At the same time, scouts needed to be dispatched to patrol the countryside surrounding the city. There were manyrge vis on the outskirts, some housing hundreds of people. It would be hard to know who might be hiding among them.


    However, this was one of the most difficult areas to investigate, as the vi managers often hired workers based on cheapbor and skill rather than background or identity. Many times, they would recruit refugees from other ces. So long as they could work for a meal, what did it matter who they were? The search had already begun, but progress was slow. The countryside was vast, and apart from the vis, there were many small viges.


    The defense fortifications were set to begin that very day, with strict surveince of all key routes into the city. The main street leading to the pce would be a particr focus.


    While waiting for news from Jeremiah, Carissa visited Zoey in prison. This time, she had Randall bring Zoey to the back courtyard of the Supreme Court, where they had some meat porridge prepared for her. Zoey looked terribly worn-her face gaunt and her body frail, withrge eyes that seemed devoid of life. As she looked at the porridge in front of her, inhaling its fragrant aroma, tears fell from her eyes in heavy drops.


    Carissa didn''t try tofort her, letting her cry it all out.


    Zoey had likely been holding back her tears for a long time. In Astral Prison, she was the pir of strength for everyone, the one who couldn''t show weakness. She had to keep her spirit alive, for if she faltered, everyone else would lose hope.


    When her tears finally subsided, she picked up the now lukewarm porridge and began to eat, her hands trembling. She hesitated, the thought of saving some for her children tugging at her heart. But she knew that was impossible.


    After Zoey finished one bowl, Carissa could see that it wasn''t enough and asked for another to be brought.


    Zoey''s voice, choked with emotion, broke the silence, "That''s enough, Your Grace. Thank you."


    One bowl of porridge, in her family''s current state, was a luxury.


    "Mrs. Prince, you need to pull yourself together," Carissa said softly.


    Zoey gave a bitter smile. "Why call me that? I''m just a woman who has sinned."


    Carissa fell quiet for a bit before saying, "Then, let me call you Zoey."


    That seemed to pull Zoey out of her daze. How long had it been since anyone had called her in such a familiar manner?


    "Do you have any news of him? Will he be caught?" Zoey asked, her voice filled with desperation as she lifted her tear-filled eyes to Carissa.


    Every day, all she could think about was Oliver''s capture. Her children''s survival depended on it.


    Carissa shook her head, regretfully replying, "No news yet. Although the arrest order has been issued, with wars breaking out everywhere, they probably can''t spare the resources."


    "If he dies, I hope it''s in a ce where someone will see it. At least if a body is found, that would give us some chance of survival," Zoey said bitterly as she wiped away tears, her voice barely holding stable. "I don''t care if I die, but seeing my children suffer, living in fear every day, is breaking my heart."


    Carissa gently patted her back and asked, "Are the headaches still bothering you?"


    "It''s much better now, thanks to you." She tried to take Carissa''s hand, but when she saw her own hands -dirty and ckened, the stench unbearable-she instinctively pulled back. "I''m filthy. Don''te too close.


    Carissa smiled at her. "You''re not filthy. Your heart is still pure."


    Zoey smiled through her tears, a small, shakyugh escaping her. She had needed a ce to cry, a familiar face to help bolster her strength. Now, she was feeling much better. Her resolve would remain strong.