Sylvia''s lips parted in shock. Her mind was in turmoil.


    Based on Victoria''s words, it was clear that they knew the truth, yet had no intention of investigating further.


    But did Sylvia truly wish for them to pursue the matter?


    If they did, she would be the first to bear the consequences. Regret settled over her like a heavy cloak. Coming to confess had only cemented her guilt. Lowering herself to the floor, she bowed deeply before stumbling out on unsteady feet.


    Watching her retreating figure, Victoria thought back to when Sylvia first entered the pce. Back then, she had been strikingly beautiful, with a proud and aloof temperament. After securing Salvador''s favor, she had be arrogant, even domineering.


    Over the past two years, she had learned to restrain herself, but the pride in her bones had never truly faded. And now, just the glimmer of ambition had driven her to this.


    Power could really drive people to madness.


    To prevent furtherplications, Victoria issued an order: Kylie and Grace were to copy religious texts, a task that wouldst until New Year''s Eve. Only then would they be permitted to leave their quarters.


    As for Connor and Caden, they were to spend their days studying and their evenings training in martial arts under Rafael''s guidance. Also, they would reside in Serenity Pce, with Kylie and Grace barred from seeing them.


    Because Serenity Pce was an imprable stronghold, there was little risk of the princes'' food or drink being tampered with. However, they were most vulnerable when traveling to and from their lessons, so Rafael arranged for soldiers from the Mystic Army to escort them, ensuring their safety.


    Days passed, and before long, a rumor spread through the pce. It was said that Sylvia''s demotion had been due to her involvement in Jete miscarriage.


    But within a few days, another rumor arose, iming that Sylvia had been innocent all along. The true culprit was Kylie, and Sylvia had merely taken the fall for her.


    The rumor spread like wildfire, sweeping through the pce corridors until it reached the queen''s ears.


    Kylie was certain Sylvia had started the rumors. Now was the time for the queen to restore her reputation. Even if she had yed a role in Jete''s miscarriage, she couldn''t allow the me to fall upon her. Besides, she was confident there was no evidence against her. If there was, Salvador''s wrath would have already descended upon Everspring Pce.


    More importantly, Kylie knew precisely whom she could not afford to offend, and who might be worth stepping on, if only to test where Salvador''s favor trulyy.


    With that in mind, the queen led her attendants straight to Laurel Pce. The moment sheid eyes on Sylvia, she unleashed a torrent of scathing usations. She imed Sylvia had ndered her, spreading falsehoods andmitting the grave offense of insubordination.


    On those two charges, Kylie ordered her attendants to p Sylvia as punishment.


    Everyone in the pce knew that Sylvia had long since fallen from favor. With that in mind, how could the few attendants remaining in Laurel Pce protect her?


    Right before Cecil and Phoebe''s eyes, Sylvia was seized by the shoulders and struck across the face a dozen times. They pped her until blood spilled from her lips and the world spun around her.


    Phoebe fell to her knees and cried, "Mother, please spare her! Mom never said such things!"


    But Cecil resorted to far more direct methods. He lunged at Kylie and sank his teeth into her arm, biting down with all his strength. Despite her striking him across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground, he scrambled up and bit her again.


    The pce attendants hurried to stop him, but it took a lot of effort to control the child.


    Pain red in Kylie''s arm, but she made no move to retaliate further. Instead, she cast Sylvia a cold, disdainful look.


    "Look at the son you''ve raised. How dare he attack me! Such reckless defiance! If he behaves this way now, what chaos will he bring upon the kingdom in the future?"


    Sylvia could hardly stand, swaying as her attendants held her up. Her


    hair hade undone and her essories were scattered on the ground. Yet, even in such a wretched state, she still shielded her children behind her. Her re was fierce as she fixed it upon Kylie.


    In a hoarse voice, she said, "Are you truly so meless, Your Majesty? Do you dare swear to the heavens that you had no hand in the loss of Lady Jete''s child?"


    Obviously, Kylie had no intention of swearing such an oath.


    Instead, she straightened up and dered with righteous indignation, "Only the guilty resort to deceitful words and show no remorse or


    shame. You even incited pce


    servants to spread vile rumors and conspired toy me upon me. But the heavens see all, Lady Sylvia. Your retribution hase."


    "Yes, everyone will get their retribution." Sylvia trembled with fury as she red at


    the shameless queen before her. "Wait and see."


    "At this point, you''re still unrepentant. You''re truly beyond redemption," said Kylie, then turned and left without another word.


    Naturally, word of the incident soon reached Victoria. She sighed and shook her head.


    "What a fool. She''s clever enough to attempt clearing her name and testing the king''s response, yet blind to the fact that someone is deliberately stirring up conflict between them, waiting to reap the benefits of their strife."