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.

gave her a stern look. "We never consummated the marriage. He's not your

list?"

why would we stay in this

gasped. "But your mother arranged this marriage, and your father wanted you to marry

finally welled up in Carissa's eyes at the

taking a concubine. They had six sons and one daughter. All her brothers followed her father

training as a child. At the age of seven, she was sent to study under a master, where she also learned military strategy. When she returned home at fifteen, she learned her father and

girls in the kingdom. Find a good husband, marry, have children, and

heart out. The pain she felt was

and duties expected of a noblewoman.

was also known for her beauty. So, suitors flooded their doorstep. Her mother had chosen

months ago, tragedy

servants. Each victim suffered numerous knife wounds, and their bodies were brutally dismembered. Carissa's

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