Melody of Strength novel

The two friends chatted through the night. After experiencing the battles in the Southern Frontier, Violet had matured a great deal. Especially now that she was living in the capital, she had come to learn much about the affairs of powerful families. She realized that the world wasn’t as simple as it had seemed back in Meadow Ridge.

Life in Meadow Ridge had been far too easy. Every day was spent causing trouble, walking dogs, teasing cats, digging around for snakes, or chasing wild boars. The worst thing that ever happened was getting beaten up by apprentices from other guilds.

As they talked, they grew sleepy.

Violet turned over and casually threw a leg over Carissa, yawning. “I really envy you for having such a good mother–in–law. Lady Helen’s always so protective of you.”

“I know.”

“Maybe I should just marry the marshal too, then she’d be my-

Before Violet could finish her sentence, Carissa kicked her off the bed. Violet jumped back up and started pounding on Carissa, laughing.

“I was just kidding! Did you really take it seriously? Besides, Lady Helen already said she’d take me as her goddaughter. I’m just making her wait for me to accept. She absolutely adores me!”

Carissa blocked Violet’s punches with her elbows, then raised a leg and pressed it against Violet’s neck, pinning her head to the bed. “I’m exhausted. Sleep!”

Violet struggled to free herself from beneath Carissa’s leg, then flopped back down onto the bed and wriggled under the thin blanket. “Fine, I’ll sleep. I’m really tired.”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

The next day, Carissa took Kiera and Violet out shopping.

Their main stop was The Golden Tower to check out the latest styles. Of course, they could have had the shop send the new items to their residence to choose from. However, Kiera wanted to see a wider selection. She had been cooped up at home for too long, and was eager to get out and walk around.

Although the palace had already prepared jewelry and accessories for Kiera’s wedding, Carissa didn’t think it was enough. Kiera also wanted to buy more–after all, young girls love looking pretty.

Who didn’t love beautiful jewelry?

After breakfast, Helen went back to sleep for a while. When lunchtime came and Carissa, Violet, and Kiera still hadn’t shown up to check on her, Helen sent someone to find out where they were. To her shock, she learned that the three of them had gone out shopping without her.

They had gone without her?

Helen could hardly believe it. How dare they go shopping without her?

To ignore someone as dignified and esteemed as her–how outrageous!

Storming out, she muttered, “Janice has been with me for so many years, and I gave her up generously. Now they go shopping without Inviting me? They can forget about me ever paying them any attention

again.”

Gillian and Mindy hurried after her, asking, “Where are you going. Your Grace?”

“I’m going to the palace! It’s not as if I need them for company!” Helen snapped furiously.

+25 BC

The Golden Tower was located on South Street in the capital, and it was a well–established shop with a long–standing reputation. Their designs were unique, some even more exquisite than what the palace craftsmen could produce. In fact, many of the palace concubines sent people to The Golden Tower to bu jewelry and accessories.

Moreover, the young heir of The Golden Tower knew how to market his products. Some items were mad in very limited quantities. Even though the profit from just a few pieces wasn’t huge, it helped maintain the store’s prestigious reputation. Keeping that reputation alive was what really mattered in the long run. The building had three floors: the first sold more affordable items, the second held higher–end goods, ani the third was reserved for limited–edition pieces. But even the items from the first floor, though lower in price, were special simply because they came from The Golden Tower.

After they parked the carriage, the driver stayed outside to wait while Carissa, Kiera, and Violet entered the tower, hand in hand.

The moment they stepped through the doors, Carissa’s brow furrowed.

She had just seen some old acquaintances.

The first floor was spacious, and it was divided into three halls. To get to the second floor, they would need to take the staircase on the right, but next to the stairs was a display case where several people stood. Carissa recognized them immediately.

Rebecca, Viola, and Serena.

They were engrossed in picking out jewelry, and hadn’t noticed Carissa’s arrival.

Carissa wanted to avoid them, but the young heir of The Golden Tower, Nathaniel, had already spotted

her.

He quickly rushed over, his youthful, handsome face brimming with excitement–so much that he practically glowed.

“Are you the Hell Monarch’s princess consort, Your Grace? Is that really you? My goodness! When you returned victorious with the Hell Monarch, I was on the third floor watching you both during the victory parade. I never imagined you’d visit our humble shop today! Forgive me for not greeting you properly

sooner!”

As soon as these words left his mouth, all three of the women turned to look at Carissa.