When fate plays its hand

Chapter 863

“Of course I’m a man!” Davis replied. “But while men can act recklessly–taking multiple wives, passing on their lineage, and relying on their wives to care for them even when they’re afflicted with illness–there’s no chaos in the world. So, why is it that when a woman is cast off and finds a place to be sheltered, it somehow leads to disorder?

“Why are you so afraid of giving women another chance at life? No one wants to take that step unless they have no choice. Do you all wish to force them into such a position? If not, then what is it that frightens you?”

Davis had remained silent until then, but once he spoke, he did so with purpose, having been instructed by his family to lend unwavering support to Rafael.

Carissa listened quietly from her seat in court, but didn’t speak. As a woman, the backlash would be even stronger if she spoke on behalf of women. After all, what someone chose to do or say was often influenced by personal interests or gains.

No matter how eloquent Carissa was, she couldn’t match their verbal sparring.

So she could only wait for Salvador to call on her.

As expected, just as Rafael and Davis were embroiled in a heated debate with the other ministers, Salvador cleared his throat lightly and turned to Carissa.

“Carissa, I would like to hear your opinion.”

Carissa appeared as if she had suddenly been called out. When everyone looked at her, she had a completely bewildered expression. But she quickly composed herself, stepping forward and nodding- respectfully.

“Your Majesty, I don’t have any grand theories to share. However, from a woman’s perspective–and as someone who has once been divorced–I would like to express my thoughts. I wonder if the esteemed ministers would like to hear them?”

A wave of curiosity swept through the court. The fact that Carissa had been divorced piqued everyone’s interest, and the arguments momentarily ceased as they awaited her words.

Some who held respect for Carissa couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy–she was about to reveal her own scars.

Salvador’s gaze softened as he urged, “Go ahead.”

“A woman’s marriage signifies the beginning of a second life. We don’t need to live in luxury. We’re willing to share our fortunes and misfortunes with our husbands. Unless we’re treated as outsiders, humiliated, and mistreated by our in–laws, we would never want to leave. Whether you gentlemen acknowledge it or not, you cannot deny the fact that this world is inherently unfair to women.

“You worry that opening the embroidery workshop will provide refuge for discarded women and grant them a backup plan, and that this will lead them to act tyrannically within their marriages or even cause chaos. But have you considered that as long as they have their husbands and children by their side, they would prefer to endure hardships rather than leave?

“The workshop will only offer them the bare necessities–simple food and plain clothes–which they’ll Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

have to earn through hard work. This is merely a better option than retreating to a monastery or facing a dead end. It’s not a desirable choice.

“Who would choose such a path unless they were truly desperate? I believe your concerns are unfounded. All of you are capable men. How can you deny a desperate woman a chance at survival? Moreover, this isn’t a unique idea for Starhaven. The kingdom of Velrune has already implemented it. They even have a women’s self–defense group. With that said, how can we let ourselves fall behind?”

Carissa spoke with a tone of respect and humility, her voice soft and warm, soothing to those who listened. The gentleness of her words was disarming, leaving those who opposed the opening of the embroidery workshop momentarily at a loss for words. Some even found themselves swayed by her logic. Carissa continued, “I’m sure everyone has heard the rumors about the circumstances surrounding the late Madam Amelia from the Warren family. She first attempted to drown herself, and after she was rescued, she hanged herself. This clearly showed how desperate she was to die.

“If she had even the slightest chance of survival or another way out, she wouldn’t have forsaken her children in such a manner. Her natal family lives far away, and there was no one she could turn to in the capital Furthermore, she didn’t have any viable skills to sustain herself.

“I’m sure her parents raised her with the belief that as a married woman, she only needed to follow her husband’s lead and care for her children to live a stable life. So, she managed the household and cared for her ailing mother–in–law day and night. But in the end, we’ve all seen the tragic end she met.”