Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Tears suddenly welled up in Violet's eyes as she leaned against Carissa's shoulder and sobbed softly.

"What was I thinking? I used to hope the scholar would treat my aunt poorly so she would regret it. I also hoped that the scholar, after suffering through all the hardships, would come to regret it too. I wished they would become resentful partners, hurling insults at each other."

Carissa gently rubbed her shoulder. "You're not a cruel person."

"I really did think that way. I was cruel, but you didn't know," Violet said, her gaze vacant. "Now, apart from me, everyone in my family disapproves of them. Even the old servants who have been with the family for years secretly curse them when they see them."

"Then, why did they come back?" Carissa asked.

Violet explained, "My grandmother's health has worsened. My aunt wanted to return to see her, and perhaps she missed her family. So, she rented a house nearby and kneels at the door every day, hoping that over time, my grandmother will be willing to see her.

"But how could my grandparents be willing to see her? Even letting her step through the entrance of our family's residence is impossible. It would only inflame the anger of the other family members."

Carissa understood this well.

family, burdened by the issues caused by Violet's aunt, would surely harbor resentment

but as

It's just that thinking about your aunt and comparing her to my own aunt makes me conflicted. Your aunt married well. She married a prince and became a princess consort, but she is now worse off than my aunt who eloped. And you originally married Barrett, which, well, we all know how

silent. After a long while, she finally

Carissa couldn't fully grasp Violet's feelings. However, when she arrived at Verdant Monastery and saw

two or three years, Avis' condition had deteriorated significantly. She seemed like a withered tree, pitifully thin and lacking any vitality. Her cheeks sunken, she lay in bed as if she were

all, her eyes staring blankly

closer and whispered repeatedly, "This is Carissa, your

you recognize her?"

a blank expression, her mouth forming a word that was muffled and unclear. But Carissa could hear it distinctly-Avis said it

contracted to be so thin?" Carissa asked, tears streaming

from Prince Yuvan a few days ago,

is that she has a grave illness, bore