Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

After returning to the estate, Carissa discussed the matter of hiring his senior guild members with Travis.

Travis's first question was: "How much are you offering?"

Carissa knew she wouldn't easily persuade him without a substantial financial incentive. Only by offering more money could she possibly get his master to relent.

She replied, "I'd like them to stay until the child is safely born and reaches their Lunar Blessing Ceremony, which will be a few months. If you send two people, I'll offer a total of one thousand silver coins. How does that sound?"

Travis raked a hand through his hair, considering the offer. "It sounds acceptable, but I must immediately write a letter. Does His Highness have someone specifically for delivering letters? We must ensure the letter reaches my master as quickly as possible."

Carissa smiled. "Please make sure to write the letter as quickly as possible, then."

One thousand silver coins was indeed a significant amount.

Travis' master forbade her apprentices from leaving the mountain because working as female bodyguards for high-ranking families only paid a meager two silver coins per month, and they had to endure mistreatment.

Now, protecting a duchess would not involve such mistreatment, nor would it require other tasks-just ensuring she wasn't harmed and overseeing her pregnancy. For just a few months of work, two people would earn one thousand silver coins. Surely, his master would be tempted.

The day after the letter was sent, Samuel indeed arrived at Hell Monarch Estate with two attendants. He specifically asked to see Carissa.

left for work, which showed he wasn't entirely dismissive of

his arrogance and immediately

entrance, his demeanor polite but his words icy, "Either leave immediately or face

whips. By the time Carissa arrived, Samuel had already left

regretful. She had two slaps she wanted to deliver

appeared again, which made Carissa worry that he might direct

or so later, Travis' two senior

had arrived, Travis asked, "You came by

"We rented them."

dressed similarly, in thin cotton jackets with short,

were around twenty

quite aged,

from

them, she recognized them immediately and promptly saluted

quickly followed suit, offering her greetings as

in a basket, and Alana was found with nothing but a stone lock in her possession. Therefore, Leah's birth name