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."

paused, seemingly lost in

voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Why was he there so late

recalled the events of that time as

He said that this time, on the Southern Frontier battlefield, he would personally avenge the deaths of the duke and the young masters by killing General Vallar and his army. He used the dagger as a token and

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

had come to ask for

fluttered. "Mom refused him,

replied. "Your

she accepted, why

mother accepted the prince because she wanted him to go to war with a clear mind. But she felt that since even the duke couldn't drive out the Sandorian people from the Southern Frontier,

terrified of that place back then. Don't blame her-choosing General Warren was truly done with the hope of providing you with a stable

wrong decision in managing the household. The only mistake she made was in your marriage. At that