Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 999

In the royal study, Salvador's brows twitched with barely contained fury as he glared at Barrett, who was kneeling before him. His voice was icily cold. "Resign? Have you really thought this through?"

Barrett lowered his head, his voice trembling. "Your Majesty, I am guilty. I have failed your expectations and the Sullivan family's. I am ashamed before both."

Salvador's anger flared, a headache pounding behind his eyes. "If you know how much I've placed my hopes in you, then you should focus on doing your job well, not throwing a tantrum and resigning!"

Barrett bowed his head lower. "Your Majesty, I am not throwing a tantrum. I have come to realize my incompetence and inability to live up to the role of deputy commander of the Nightsteel Guard. I ask for your mercy and understanding." Even Derek couldn't watch any longer.

To speak so much about guilt was to question the king's judgment. Was that what Barrett was implying?

Salvador's voice grew even colder, "Go reflect on your actions. Come back after a few days. Leave now."

Left with no choice, Barrett stood and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

As Barrett exited, Salvador's face darkened, his expression like storm clouds. "Derek, go speak to him. If he feels guilty toward General Sullivan, he should not be resigning at this critical moment."

Derek had wanted to speak up long before but had held back, knowing it wasn't his place unless the king said something. Now that Salvador had spoken, Derek could no longer stay silent. He quickly followed Barrett out of the study, catching up to him. "Deputy Commander Warren, wait!"

hunched in exhaustion. He paused and turned to face Derek.

said firmly, "Deputy Commander Warren, have you lost your mind? If you resign now, how does that reflect on the Sullivan family and the other officers? You're a court official-if word gets out, people will think you were dismissed

resignation has nothing to do with

generals supposed to do? Should they also submit letters of apology and resign? Whose command were you following when you went to Fawnrun City?" Barrett's eyelids fluttered, a

Derek snapped. "If not for yourself, then for others. Stop living like a burden and dragging everyone else down with

spoke so harshly, but dealing with someone so frustrating had pushed him to his limit. Some

moment before finally saying, "Thank you for your advice,

to reflect, so go home and do just that. Return in a

nodded and turned

clenched around an Eternal Knot. The pain in his chest tightened as he thought back to

ordered to the front lines at Victory Pass immediately after

she bid him farewell was like

"I truly regret it."

steps were slow and heavy, as if he had a huge weight on his

cherish you. I would keep

-

Michael accompanied Lucille to deliver some honey cakes to Violet. He had also brought a portion for Rafael