Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Serena covered her face, and threw herself into Rebecca's arms. "Mom, Barrett hit me!"

Rebecca patted her back, comforting her, and looked at Barrett with disappointment.

"You hit her just because she said a few words? As her brother, how could you not see how that would hurt her? Even if her intentions weren't purely for your sake, in the end, you still stood to benefit from her actions," she said.

"Mom, I hit her because she spoke disrespectfully of her sister-in-law," Barrett said angrily.

Viola's heart swelled with emotion. Seeing how fiercely Barrett defended her made all her sacrifices feel worthwhile.

Rebecca glanced at Viola and said, "Enough. All of you leave for now. I'll talk to her myself."

Feeling suffocated by the toxic atmosphere, Barrett turned and strode out of the room, still fuming.

Viola noticed his frustration, and hurried after him. She took his arm and said, "Honey, after seeing how you defended me tonight, I swear I'll do everything to protect your future." Barrett stiffened.

A wave of sorrow quietly rose within him.

truth was, he hadn't slapped Serena to protect Viola. He had lost control the moment his sister called Carissa trash. That one word had ignited a fire in his mind, driving him to slap Serena without thinking. When he had shouted, "How dare you talk

a person only realized how much they cherished something once it was lost, but by then, it was too

maybe frustration. He had been wrong, but he also felt Carissa had never truly loved him. If she had, she wouldn't have

He pulled his arm away from

I won't say it

to hold his arm, but

had once

legitimate wife was a woman who had been married before. His other rightful wife, a former captive of Sandorian soldiers, was known for her cold and ruthless nature, which sent

Pass, his wife had been the legitimate daughter of the then-Marquis of Northwatch, the most favored

all his efforts, he

because he had

why had he paid such a steep price? The bitterness gnawed at him. He was utterly unwilling

though she was "recovering" in her chambers. She didn't say a word about it, nor did she inquire or comment. She knew Serena was an ungrateful woman. No matter who Serena married, she

would only prepare