Melody of Strength novel

Violet glanced at Carissa, who gave her a slight nod.

Violet then coldly laughed and said, “You’re claiming to be a ‘pure courtesan“? Maybe you can fool someone as brainless as Samuel, but do you really think you can fool us?”

Her words instantly enraged Samuel, who snapped, “How dare you slander her?”

Violet sneered. “Slander her? I wouldn’t dare. Ruby, shouldn’t you tell everyone your real name? What was it again? I heard your esteemed father gave you a rather lovely name–Celeste Kingsley, wasn’t it? But Grand Princess Eleanor didn’t call you that, did she? She called you something else, right? Cece, wasn’t it?

Ruby’s face turned deathly pale, but only for a moment.

Soon, her eyes filled with tears, and she choked out, “W–What are you talking about?”

The faces of those from the Earl of Gracehold’s family also changed drastically. They stared at Ruby’s elegant and beautiful face in disbelief.

Could she really be Eleanor’s daughter?

Surely, she wasn’t her biological child. Eleanor had only given birth to Jessica. However, it was rumored that the grand princess had taken in several concubines for her prince consort, though none of them had ever appeared in public. Those concubines must have had children, but those children had never been seen either..

But this? It was simply too absurd.

Even if Ruby wasn’t Eleanor’s biological daughter, she would still have to call the grand princess her rightful mother. How could Eleanor allow her own daughter, even an illegitimate one, to end up in a brothel?

Violet snorted. “There’s no point in denying it. I’ve thoroughly investigated everything. Do you really think that little secret of yours could be hidden from our princess consort?”

“No, I’m not. I’m not!” Ruby wept as she clung to Samuel’s sleeve. “If I were Grand Princess Eleanor’s daughter, how could I have ended up in such a low place like a brothel?”

With her pitiful sobbing tugging at Samuel’s heartstrings, he quickly comforted her, “I believe you. She’s just trying to use you to defame Grand Princess Eleanor.”

“Idiot,” Rafael scoffed softly.

Carissa looked at Noah and said, “She is indeed Grand Princess Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter. As for why she entered your estate under a false identity, that’s for you to figure out. I won’t interfere in that matter. I’m here tonight because my mother–in–law was mistreated. As for what Leona has endured while staying in your household, I trust her parents will handle it. The prince and I need not worry ourselves further.

Your Grace, please!”

In a moment of panic, Noah stepped toward Carissa, but Violet immediately blocked his way. He stopped in his tracks, looking at Carissa desperately.

“Your Grace, please clarify your words! Is she truly Grand Princess Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter?”

Violet replied coldly. “You should ask me. I’m the one who investigated this. She is indeed Grand Princess Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter, born to one of Lord Henry’s concubines. She was raised in the western courtyard, and from a young age, was taught how to please men,

“As for her claim of being untouched before entering your household, it’s laughable. She lost her purity long before becoming part of this family. I don’t know how many men have taught her the arts, but if you doubt me, just watch how she tears your household apart and you’ll know the truth.”

“I’m innocent! I am pure!” Ruby collapsed into Samuel’s arms, crying so hard she nearly fainted. “How could she slander me like this? Samuel, you know best whether I’m pure or not!”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Samuel held her tightly, his voice rising, “That’s right. She is pure! I can vouch for it.”

“Vouch? With what? A single red stain? Violet sneered. ‘You’re supposed to be a scholar, a top candidate in the national examination, yet you’re this foolish. Do you really not know how to tell if a woman is truly pure?

Samuel’s face turned deathly pale with anger as he shouted at Violet, “Shut your mouth! Get out! All of you, leave!”

“You think we want to stay in this filthy place?” Violet shot a cold glance at Ruby, “We weren’t going to expose your secret, but you went too far by harming Lady Leona. She’s never done anything to you, yet she suffered because of you.

‘And now you dare to hurt her? You’re only brave enough to pick on someone weaker. If you had any real courage, you’d go back and fight your legitimate mother. If you did that, I’d even respect you.”