Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Being called lowly struck a nerve for Aurora. She sprang to her feet and aimed a kick at Carissa's abdomen. Carissa didn't even dodge, simply countering with a sharp elbow to the other woman's shin. Aurora cried out in agony as a bone-shattering pain surged through her leg.

Carissa seized Aurora by the collar and pushed her into a chair, leaning over her with a cold, unyielding gaze.

"You dare to act up in my house? What exactly are you here for today?"

Aurora struggled with all her might but couldn't break free. In her frantic efforts, her veil fell off, revealing half of her disfigured face.

Seeing Carissa's eyes fixed on her, Aurora's composure broke and she screamed in despair, "It's you!! came here to hold you accountable. You could have led your troops to rescue me, but you didn't! You even stopped Barrett from coming to my aid!

"Carissa, you hate me for taking Barrett from you, so you deliberately allowed Liam to humiliate me. You're bitter, you're resentful, and you still refuse to admit it? You're a hypocrite!

"It was you who caused my marriage to fall apart. Barrett won't even touch me now. If you hadn't stopped the soldiers from rescuing me, I wouldn't have ended up like this. Did you conspire with Liam? Did you and he join forces to ruin me? I am innocent-they never touched me. Go and tell Barrett that! Explain yourself, and I might forgive you!

*Carissa, everyone says you're a hero, but you stood by and did nothing. You're unfit to be a general. You allowed us to fall into Liam's hands and become prisoners of war. You let us suffer endless humiliations. They say the Duke of Northwatch's family is loyal and righteous? Hah! That's bullshit!"

eyes grew colder and

Aurora by the collar, she turned to Lulu and flatly said, "Keep

responded promptly,

door,

or way to

a wave of unease, though she tried to

her hair to fly loose. She felt an inexplicable panic but couldn't escape Carissa's iron

go of me!"

from the sky, landing

the sanctuary hall. Seeing them approach, Frederick quickly ran ahead

Carissa threw Aurora into the hall, then strode in herself. Frederick promptly

le space

sanctuary hall, her panic mounting as she looked around. The was illuminated by candles, casting a soft glow on the rows of memorial

out a scream, Carissa grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the plaques. Aurora was forced to bow slightly, her