Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

ther-in-law had gone to Northwatch Estate to apologize to Carissa.

That realization made her heart bum with resentment. It seemed that as long as the old woman was alive, Jessica would never gain control of the household, nor hold any real status in her marital home. But no matter how many times Jessica harbored malicious thoughts, they were of no use. She couldn't tamper with Margaret's food or drink, as everyone in the household was on guard against her. As a daughter-in-law, Jessica relied on her title as the grand princess' daughter and didn't bother to pay her respects to Margaret, so she rarely had any opportunities to get close.

Both mother and daughter were preoccupied with their own troubles and didn't have the energy to bother Carissa.

One day, Theodore invited Carissa over and told her that now that her marriage was settled, it was clear that Rafael wouldn't be able to inherit the duke's title. But the position of the Duke of Northwatch couldn't just be left vacant.

Theodore suggested an option: they could choose a few children from within the Sinclair family to be fostered. After assessing their character and literary talent, they could then present a suitable heir to the court.

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Carissa had considered this as well. Since Hector had been an only child, she had no uncles from his side of the family. Her grandfather, however, had two younger brothers, though they had both passed away. Their children no longer lived in the capital, and she wasn't sure about their current character or reputation.

She shared her thoughts on these two granduncles' descendants with Theodore, who simply waved his hand dismissively.

"I've already had someone look into them. They're not suitable."

handed some documents

only were their ventures unimpressive, but their reputations were also questionable. Theodore then pulled out the family genealogy and had Solomon go through each potential candidate with Carissa. She listened but didn't express any opinions. After all, she hadn't met these children before, so it was hard for

he recalled the exceptional sons of the Sinclair family, who'd had children of their own. Even at a young age, they were already outstanding. Comparing these children to them was

just one to

cause Carissa further pain. "Don't dwell on it too much. It's not good for your

she returned from Meadow Ridge. She had been surrounded by her nieces and nephews, all calling her

voices.

her father and brothers' deaths, she had cried herself to sleep every night. But her nieces and nephews had been so understanding and kind, willing to do anything to

once said that if Carissa ever felt sad, eating a candied apple would make her happy. He promised that one day, when he managed to sneak

her one.

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had died just a few days before his fifth

been cast from the same mold. The only thing

dimples.

eyes reddened. She couldn't think about it-each