Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

In the sitting room, Barrett and Viola sat facing each other. The latter dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief, avoiding her husband's disappointed gaze.

She choked on her words as she tried to explain, "I was overwhelmed with anger that day. I had just returned from my family's home and saw the Hell Monarch's princess consort's carriage leaving our estate. "Dear, I was just so upset. I suspected that the people who threw dung at our estate were sent by her. I had no proof, so I only said a few words to her. I didn't expect her to insult me in return. When I got back to the estate and saw one of the culprits had been caught, my anger led me to order that his arm be broken. I didn't know the servants would be so harsh and also break his leg."

Barrett seized on one detail from her words, asking, "Carissa came by Valor Estate yesterday?"

"She definitely didn't enter the estate," Viola responded. "But as soon as she left our alley, the person who threw dung was caught. If there had been evidence, I would have exposed her on the spot. Unfortunately, there wasn't."

"You argued with her? What did she say?" Barrett gripped the armrests of his chair tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Viola hesitated for a moment. Had he not heard her clearly?

"Dear, I didn't argue with her; she insulted me."

Barrett remained still, his demeanor cold. "She doesn't easily argue with people. She doesn't even easily speak with others."

Viola suddenly lifted her head in surprise, looking at her husband as if seeing him for the first time. "What did you say?"

Barrett's expression remained frosty. "So, what did you say to her? What did she say in return? Did she mention why she came to Valor Estate?"

sank upon

she replied, "She insulted both of us, saying I picked up the garbage she discarded. I couldn't take it and argued with her a bit. But that person who threw dung at our estate

of dark gray swirling within them. "She

she said exactly that. I argued with her in frustration, and her people even

her hands on his knees. "Dear, this reaction of yours-could it be that you have

Viola

king for a divorce edict. How could a woman

Viola harbored a

had treated Viola well, with the exception of Aurora. Barrett had shown her warmth and care, making her

demeanor

question everything.

gently shook his head. "She

didn't answer her

he have

she could tolerate Aurora, but she couldn't bear the thought of her husband harboring

sudden anxiety gripped Viola. Was her tolerance for Aurora due to her knowledge of her husband's disdain for that woman? If he didn't dislike Aurora, then surely, she would