Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

"So, did you marry me because you truly liked me, or simply because your mother chose me for you?" Barrett asked softly.

Carissa replied, "That question is pointless."

"I want to know," he insisted quickly.

Carissa's brow furrowed again. "Barrett, you've never understood your place. When you were my husband, you didn't get it. You're Aurora's husband now, and you still don't get it."

Barrett's eyes darkened as he looked at her, his tone turning cold.

"So, you never really liked me. You married me only because your mother told you to. I knew it! I just wanted to have another wife, but you immediately went to the palace to request a divorce. You never had any feelings for me. You were the one who was heartless first, but you made it seem like I wronged you!"

Hearing that, Carissa grew exasperated.

"Whether I had feelings for you or not is beside the point. From the day I entered the Warren family, I served your parents without a single day of neglect.

"I did my duty. I was devoted and respectful, and I waited for your triumphant return. And you? You promised me when you proposed, and before you left for battle, you told me to wait. I waited a year, only for you to come back and inform me that you had used your military achievements to take Aurora as a wife.

"Barrett, I fulfilled my duties as a daughter-in-law and a wife. From the moment I married into your family to the day I left, I have a clear conscience. And you? Can you look me in the eye today and tell me, with a clear conscience, that you kept your promises to me and my mother?"

Barrett was left speechless.

the suffocating weight

the siege plan one more time, but with a great battle looming, she couldn't

She had to leave.

blankly at her retreating

to accuse her? What

had already been inflicted. What was the point in dwelling

rang true-he had never understood his place. He was now Aurora's husband, and his words and

At her core, she was kind, upright, and loyal to both the king and the people. He

sighed deeply-he was about to leave, when he heard Aurora's sharp voice from

doing in there

to find Aurora blocking Carissa's way, her face full of hostility. Carissa glanced back

your explanation," she

No wonder I couldn't find you! If a subordinate didn't tell me you

her pace, not wanting to listen to the couple's

new year, Rafael