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!"

that you were marrying another wife, you revealed your true colors. Your affection for me was nothing

ashen, as if her words had

with you, but you must come with me to Jadehill Estate today. And as for the person you broke

suddenly recalled what had happened on

anger flared.

yel

ret

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

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 me, go ask the steward or anyone who was with

she fixed him with a cold stare. "Why don't you ask Viola? Maybe it

"Impossible! Viola is gentle

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

such orders. He was adamant that it must

of. You dare to act cruelly, but can't face the consequences. You have no one

seething with rage, shouted, "Bring Viola to Forsaken Hall and have her