Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Barrett sighed in frustration. "Why put yourself through this? There was a royal edict for this marriage. Even when Aurora moves in, you'll be in separate wings. She won't compete with you for control of the

household. She doesn't care about those things."

"Do you really think I'm attached to managing this household?" Carissa countered.

Running this mansion was no easy task. Just the monthly medicine for Barrett's mother cost dozens of silver coins. Then, there was food, clothing, and social obligations-all these things required money. This household was practically a hollow shell. Over the past year, Carissa had used much of her dowry to keep things running.

And this was her reward.

"Enough, I won't argue with you. I just needed to inform you. Whether you agree or not changes nothing," said Barrett, his patience wearing thin.

As Carissa watched him leave in a huff, she felt even more bitter.

"My lady, my lord was too much!" said Lulu, Carissa's maid, wiping her tears away.

never consummated the marriage. He's not your lord.

list?"

girl, why would we stay in

mother arranged this

eyes at the mention of

had stayed loyal to her mother, never taking a concubine. They had six sons and one daughter. All her brothers followed

she was a girl, Carissa came from a family of warriors and started training as a child. At the age of seven, she was sent to study

live like the noble girls

pain she felt was so intense she couldn't

please her mother, she spent a year mastering the traditional values and duties expected of a noblewoman.

suitors flooded their doorstep. Her mother had chosen Barrett because he

six months ago,

children or servants. Each victim suffered numerous knife wounds, and their bodies were

and garrison unit captured a few of the assailants. After further investigation, they were discovered to be