Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Aurora couldn't bring herself to meet Carissa's gaze, as cold and sharp as a blade. Every word Carissa spoke was unpleasant to hear, yet not a single one was untrue.

Aurora had been desperate to achieve something. After the battle at Victory Pass, she believed she had. succeeded, and that she had done so with exceptional merit. No longer just the daughter of an old soldier, she was now a general in her own right.

She looked down on everyone and felt superior, but deep down, she knew she was still insignificant. Otherwise, with her accomplishments, she wouldn't have been relegated to the position of Barrett's secondary wife.

Most people wouldn't have accepted such a fate.

Aurora's acceptance was driven by two reasons-her deep affection for Barrett, as well as the realization that, without her achievements, she would never be able to reach the heights of the Warren family. She dismissed the trivialities of domestic struggles, claiming she wanted women to excel on the battlefield, contributing to the kingdom through war and conquest. She said these things to Barrett, who believed them and looked at her with admiration.

Needing Barrett to see her as different, she achieved this by sleeping with him before returning to the capital, securing her place in the Warren family.

Though Carissa had been Barrett's primary wife back then, Aurora hadn't considered her a threat. Carissa was just a highborn lady, obedient to propriety, governed by rules, and overly demure. Boring, really.

finances meant that Aurora could focus on her career.

patient and calculating tiger? As Aurora's thoughts drifted, Frederick returned with the promissory note and a stamp pad. He handed them to her and coldly said, "Put

moment their eyes met, an inexplicable shiver ran through her. She didn't

note away and looked at the young woman leaning against the corridor wall.

her, "My lady, don't be upset.

shook her head, her eyes lowered as she spoke softly, "Frederick, I'm fine. I was just thinking about how

shell of its former self. The title remained, but

for long. She

be with Ryan, knowing that such a commotion would have reached

His face was calm, and the desk was

sound of his aunt's footsteps, Ryan looked

he