Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Samuel returned to the manor on Hibiscus Lane and immediately went to rinse his mouth, spitting out the blood. He couldn't let Ruby worry.

In Hibiscus Lane, there were only two shop servants-one in the kitchen, and the other likely attending to Ruby.

Samuel used the cold water in the dining room to rinse his mouth, feeling a sharp pain throbbing in his head. The left side of his mouth felt as though it were splitting open, and he had to endure the pain for a while before he could force back his tears. Leona was so ruthless. She had her husband beaten time and again.

Samuel had been blinded by her gentle and mild demeanor, not realizing how jealous she truly was.

Her cousin, the Hell Monarch's princess consort, was just like her-they were one and the same.

He had been beaten, and both his grandmother and father would surely know. So, he had an excuse to leave in anger. If he were asked to return again, he wouldn't go back so easily.

"Bill, bring me that handkerchief..." he called out, before remembering that Bill had not come with him from Gracehold Estate.

Bill's bond papers were with his mother, and she had forbidden him from coming.

Years of living in luxury and privilege had made him feel that his current situation was unbearably shabby and pitiful.

recalled his early days as a top scholar and then marrying a duchess and becoming her consort. Although he was just starting his career, everyone said his future was limitless. Yet, the

the table. Ruby had her back to him, dressed neatly with hairpins in her hair. She wore the apricot-yellow embroidered pleated dress from when

Samuel called out, embracing her from behind and

to have frozen over with a

suddenly felt empty. He stared blankly. "But to me, Celeste and

stood up, her eyes as cold as ice.

sank.

you to return

and his expression froze. "What are

like shards of ice. "I'm saying that

he stammered, his lips trembling. He grabbed Celeste's arm desperately. "Did someone from Gracehold Estate come? Did someone from the duchess' side

worry about what they say or do. I won't leave you. I absolutely won't abandon

one who doesn't want you. Look at yourself now. You've lost your official position and your title as heir. You'll never inherit the title again. All you have is the fame of a top scholar, which is worthless now.

reputation for

wife. You're so desperate to find a mentor, but even they wouldn't want you because of

become so cold