Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Barrett advanced and grabbed Aurora's wrist. "Let's go. We're going to Jadehill Estate."

Aurora pulled her hand away forcefully. "I'm not going!"

Barrett's expression darkened as he stood in the courtyard. "If you don't come willingly, I'll drag you there! You can either walk, or I'll tie you up and make you carry thorn branches on your back."

Carrying thorn branches on one's back was a traditional act of penance, where an individual who had committed a serious offense would bear thorny branches as a symbolic gesture of remorse and submission. The practice was a way to visibly demonstrate their sincere repentance and willingness to atone for their wrongs.

"You wouldn't dare!" Aurora's anger flared, her voice trembling with indignation. "All I did was say a few words-what crime have I committed that's so unforgivable I need to beg for forgiveness with thorn branches on my back?"

Barrett gritted his teeth in frustration. "You know what you've done! Your crimes are so severe, carrying those thorn branches would be a mercy! You deserve to be executed!"

He glanced at the maids nearby and roared, "Get out!"

Terrified, the maids scrambled to leave.

Aurora stared at him with reddened eyes. "You don't treat me with even a fraction of the kindness you once did! You clearly loathe me. If that's the case, why did you marry me?" Barrett was on the brink of breaking down. He shouted at Aurora in frustration, "I was a fool! I was blind! I mistook you for someone honorable and courageous, but you're not!"

refused to accept that you were marrying another wife, you revealed your true colors. Your affection for me was nothing but a passing fancy! You're

words had struck the

today. And as for the person you broke the limbs of

nonsense! I didn't hurt anyone yesterday." As Aurora spoke, she suddenly recalled what had happened on the previous

flared. "Don't

yel

ret

estate with dung yesterday-you were the one who caught him and broke his limbs. He's already reported the incident

case against me, accusing me of poor household management and allowing my servants to harm civilians. Besides you, who else in the household is so violent?" Aurora's face turned pale with anger. "It wasn't me! I didn't even step out of the courtyard yesterday! If you don't believe

cold stare. "Why

hand dismissively. "Impossible! Viola is gentle and virtuous.

sank with cold despair. "So, in your eyes, only I am capable of such cruelty, while Viola is a saint. Barrett, oh,

have given such orders. He was

done something like this. We both know what you're capable of. You dare to act cruelly, but can't face the consequences. You have no one to blame but

seething with rage, shouted, "Bring Viola to Forsaken Hall and have her recount everything that happened