Melody of Strength novel

A pearl and gem–inlaid tiara with Mystic Pearls, and Carissa offering Kiera free rein to choose anything from the third floor?

There was a time when Carissa would give Serena jewelry and seasonal clothing as gifts. Carissa had always been generous, and had even promised to provide Serena with a lavish dowry when the time came for her to marry.

But now, Carissa was arranging a dowry for someone else.

Today, Serena had come to The Golden Tower with Viola to pick out her dowry. However, Viola was only selecting items from the first floor. They hadn’t even bothered to go up to the second floor, let alone the third, where the top–tier pieces were displayed.

The difference between people–how could it be so vast?

Serena felt the gazes of the other guests on her, eyes filled with mockery and disdain. The humiliation surged within her, and she quickly grabbed Viola’s arm

“Viola, I want to go to the third floor too.”

Viola was already frustrated. She had been reluctant to spend her own money on her sister–in–law’s dowry. As a sister–in–law, she was expected to contribute, but now she was expected to cover the entire

cost.

She hadn’t wanted to come to The Golden Tower either, since the jewelry here was on the expensive side. She had figured she could just visit some other jewelry shop and pick out something simple.

However, Rebecca had insisted that since Serena was marrying the Marquis of Ironridge, her dowry couldn’t be too meager. Besides, if her dowry was grand enough, people would know that Viola, as her sister–in–law, was generous and virtuous.

With Rebecca’s words in mind, Viola had grudgingly brought them to The Golden Tower.

Even so, she had planned to stick to the first floor, where they were already making good progress. But after Carissa’s arrival, Serena was throwing a tantrum about wanting to go up to the third floor.

Viola cursed inwardly. Didn’t Serena realize that the Warren family’s funds were practically depleted? Didn’t she know that her entire household was living off Viola? And now, Serena had the nerve to insist on going up to the third floor!

But with so many people watching, Viola couldn’t afford to be embarrassed. She forced a smile and said through gritted teeth, “Let’s take a look at the second floor. We don’t need to go to the third.”

However, Serena stubbornly insisted, “I want to buy something from the third floor! It’s not like we don’t have any money–didn’t my brother just get rewarded with a hundred gold coins?”

Viola’s chest heaved with frustration. A hundred gold coins–did Serena think that much was some kind of endless gold mine that could never run out?

Come on, take a look at the third floor, Rebecca said casually from the side. “We’re not buying much, just one or two pieces. After all, some things are about quality, not quantity.”

She wanted to see what Carissa would buy for the princess. In the past, Carissa had never gifted anything

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from the third floor to Serena. Even if Rebecca could only say a few words, she must make sure those words reached the guests on the third floor, because they were the real elites of the capital.

Viola had no choice but to lead them upstairs.

The third floor was completely different from the first and second. The decor was more refined, not as grand and opulent as the lower levels. But upon closer inspection, it became clear that everything–from the display cases to the furniture–was made from top–quality mahogany wood. The trays holding the jewelry were intricately carved from fine zebrawood,

There was only one display case on this floor, with the rest of the space taken up by private rooms where guests were served coffee and refreshments while an attendant brought trays of jewelry for leisurely browsing.

They didn’t see Carissa, but they could hear Nathaniel’s voice coming from one of the private rooms. He sounded astonished.

“These pearls are the finest I’ve ever seen! They’re so round and lustrous, and there’s not a single flaw on them–truly premium quality. Are you really going to have all twenty–something of them made into a tiara, Your Grace?”

lissa’s voice was licht.

laughter. “Yes. Make a tiara, a hairpin, a pair of earrings, and a gold bracelet set with pearls. I’m sure you’ll have some great ideas for making them even more exquisite.”

“I’ll make sure both of you are satisfied, Your Grace, Your Highness.”

“Kiera, go ahead and pick out a few more things. I’ll buy them for you,” Carissa said, her voice warm and indulgent.

The words rang sharp and piercing in the ears of Rebecca and Serena. Carissa’s generosity now was on a completely different level than what it had been when she was with the Warren family.

And everyone knew those Mystic Pearls were part of Carissa’s dowry–yet here she was, using them to craft a set of jewelry for Kiera to add to her dowry instead.

*Ladies, this way, please!” A polite shop assistant greeted them with a broad smile. “We’ve just received some new tiaras and a few exquisite scarlet emerald pendants.”

They were led into one of the private rooms. Serena glanced at the tiaras the shopkeeper brought out, and she couldn’t take her eyes off them. The gemstones were so dazzling that they seemed to captivate her entirely.

She pointed to a set, and declared loudly, “I’ll take this ruby tiara! Wrap it up!”

www that she

Serena wanted Carissa to had also bought something from the third floor.

Viola’s heart nearly leaped into her throat.

Was Serena mad? She didn’t even ask the price!