Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Lily applied the cream to Carissa's other hand, her brows furrowing slightly to hide the sadness in her eyes.

"When you initially returned to discuss your marriage, you were met with a sea of suitors. Many noble families came to seek your hand."

Carissa nodded. "I know about that."

"Yes, but there is something you may not know. At that time, you hadn't yet returned from Meadow Ridge," Lily continued, gently rubbing the cream into Carissa's hand.

Lily sighed softly. "Back then, the news of the duke and the young masters' deaths reached us. The battlefield needed a general, so the Hell Monarch was appointed as the Grand Marshal to reclaim the Southern Frontier."

Carissa withdrew her hand, rubbing it herself, her gaze lowering as her eyelashes grew damp. "I know all this, Lily. You don't need to tell me."

Talking about her father and brothers made her heart ache deeply.

"Listen to what I have to say to the end," Lily said, fighting back tears, knowing she couldn't let a single tear fall today. "The night before the Hell Monarch was to lead his troops out of the city, he came to the estate. I remember it was already late, and the madam had gone to bed. But upon hearing that the Hell Monarch had arrived, she dressed again and went out to meet him."

seemingly lost in

heart skipped a beat, and her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Why was he there so

recalled the events of that

deaths of the duke and the young masters by killing General Vallar and his army. He used the dagger

had already guessed part of the story, hearing it directly from Lily still left her

ask for

"Mom refused him,

Lily replied. "Your mother

she accepted, why did she

But she felt that

battlefield, which was fraught with peril. She was terrified of that place back then. Don't blame her-choosing General Warren was truly done with the hope of providing you with

been wise. She has never made a wrong decision in managing the household. The only mistake she made was in your marriage. At that time, she prioritized your marriage above all else, but misjudged