Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 17

Barrett took a deep breath, staring at his wife in disbelief. Was she really serious about wanting to leave, or was this just another way to manipulate him?

But no, he could never agree to a divorce. Divorcing Carissa would bring a storm of public outrage that would drown both him and Aurora.

Plus, his fellow soldiers would be ashamed of him, as everyone in the army revered Carissa's father as a legendary hero. He couldn't afford to lose their respect. "Carissa, I won't divorce you," said Barrett, sounding both frustrated and resigned. "I'll make sure you're well cared for, but you need to stop causing all this trouble. What you did this time was the worst. "How could you use my mother's illness to blackmail me? Don't you think that's too cruel? If you're upset, take it out on me. Stop tormenting my mother. It's disrespectful, and it'll ruin your reputation." Carissa's expression was icy as she taunted, "Is it that you won't divorce me or that you're too afraid to? Divorcing me would ruin your reputation, and people would accuse you of being heartless and unfaithful.

"You're also scared of losing the support of my father's old allies. You want to keep your romance and your career, but you can't have it both ways. Just because my family's in decline doesn't mean we need to rely on your family to survive. You underestimate me and overestimate yourself."

Her words hit Barrett where it hurt, making him furious.

"Enough with the arguments! The royal edict for the marriage is from the king himself. I will marry Aurora. If you have any other conditions, just name them and I'll meet them."

"I have no conditions. I don't need anything from you."

Carissa stood tall, her posture defiant and her eyes dry. Her beauty mark stood out on her fair, stunningly beautiful face.

Angry and exasperated, Barrett said, "Honestly, Carissa, I thought you'd accept this marriage more gracefully. Your father and brothers were all soldiers. I thought you wouldn't make things difficult for Aurora." Carissa let out a sarcastic laugh. "You thought I'd just accept my husband marrying another woman? You think too highly of my generosity, Barrett. Let's end this conversation here."

stubborn refusal, Barrett

king himself. You're deliberately making things difficult and defying His

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BONUS

Chapter 17

reprimands you."

punish me? Why don't you go complain to the queen dowager instead? Tell her I won't let Aurora marry into the family. Hasn't she

her."

medicine-that's disrespectful. I'll

time leaving, I won't see you off!" Carissa showed no sign of

threw his parting words over his shoulder, glaring at his wife's cold face before storming

you should worry about the betrothal gifts first. Do you need to borrow

pause for a moment before he stomped away. He had indeed thought about borrowing money from her. But after this, he'd rather ask Aurora to lower the price of the betrothal gifts than ever turn to

"My lady, if he really asked you to lend him money, would

rubbed her cheeks, exhausted

Lulu's question, "Sure, if he has the guts to ask, I'd lend it to him-with interest, of course. He'd have to pay back