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.

he wasn't entirely dismissive of others. He just thought that Carissa, as a once-divorced woman, was easy to

aback by his arrogance and immediately reported Samuel's

entrance, his demeanor polite but his words icy, "Either

all brandishing whips. By the time

Jacob's report, Violet felt quite regretful. She had two slaps she wanted

made Carissa worry that he

so later, Travis' two senior

had arrived, Travis asked, "You

"We rented them."

guild members were dressed similarly, in thin cotton jackets with short, coarse fabric in

were around

quite aged,

skin from daily

led his senior guild members to meet Carissa. As soon as Carissa saw them, she recognized

suit, offering her

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