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.

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

the dowry list?"

the forehead. "Silly girl, why would we stay in this house

this

welled up in Carissa's eyes at the mention of

sons and one daughter. All her brothers followed her father

was sent to study under a master,

girls in the kingdom. Find a good husband, marry, have children, and lead a peaceful life. You're the only child I have

gouged her heart out. The pain she felt was so intense she couldn't

the traditional values and duties expected of a

for her beauty. So, suitors flooded their doorstep. Her mother had chosen Barrett because he had sworn he would never take

six months ago,

of Northwatch Estate were massacred. No one was spared, not even the children or servants. Each victim suffered numerous knife wounds, and their bodies were brutally dismembered. Carissa's youngest nephew had been only two and a half years old, born after the death of her third

a few of the assailants. After further investigation,