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.

ignited a fire in

much they cherished something once it was lost, but by then, it was

wrong, but he also felt Carissa had never truly

He pulled his arm away

I won't say it anymore. I know you're ambitious, honey. It

allowed her to hold his arm, but his heart felt cold and

once been

who had been married before. His other rightful

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

once had such a promising future. But through all his efforts,

because he had taken Aurora as

such a steep price? The bitterness gnawed at him.

reached Amelia, even 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

would only prepare a dowry for Serena and leave the rest