Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1075

The next day, Carissa woke as if nothing had happened. She took up her riding crop and headed out the door, her demeanor calm and unbothered. Meanwhile, Barrett was nursing severe injuries and had taken a leave of absence.

After learning the full story, Salvador was livid.

"If he'd truly been loyal, he wouldn't have treated Carissa that way in the first place! And now, injuring himself over a criminal? Neglecting his duties? Disregarding the reputation of his family? He's neither loyal nor devoted. What use is he? A disgrace through and through."

Derek observed the situation and knew exactly why the king had been reluctant to abandon Barrett despite repeated offenses. One reason was out of respect for the late General Matthias Warren. Another was to use him to control the Mystic Army. Lastly, it was difficult to remove him right away without affecting the generals at Victory Pass.

But with the Westhaven forces retreating, Derek suspected the king's patience was running thin.

As expected, when court convened that day, the officials gathered outside with grievances. Derek had waited deliberately for the Oversight Minister, Irvin, and casually mentioned that Salvador had grown angry over Barrett's latest misconduct.

Ever the righteous man, Irvin pressed for details. Derek refrained from saying much, but Irvin was resourceful and had no trouble uncovering the truth. Within half a day, news reached him-Barrett had been distraught over Aurora's punishment by the Westhaven forces and had deliberately injured himself.

It was a disgrace Irvin couldn't tolerate. At the Oversight Department, he wasted no time railing against Barrett.

"How shameful!" Irvin bellowed. "As a son, he dishonors his family. As an official, he neglects his duties and squanders His Majesty's trust. If he's so intent on dying for that criminal, why doesn't he just do it and be done with it? At least he'd stop embarrassing the court!" Once he finished speaking, he immediately sat at his desk and started writing a formal complaint to Salvador.

a ripple effect. Many officials, outraged at how Barrett's behavior might embolden the Westhaven forces, joined in. For three

complaint, many officials quickly agreed. It wasn't that they couldn't see the value in Barrett, but the fact that he had slammed

complaints, Barrett's precarious position finally crumbled. Salvador issued an edict

in turn, took over

a side hall. Minutes passed, then hours, yet she

as though she

shaken her to her core. It left her heartbroken, though not for the reasons

truth, of the three men she had known in her life, Barrett was the one she respected the least. But there had been a time, long ago, when she

thing with chilling clarity-this man was beyond saving. He was no longer someone she could even consider keeping in her life.

wouldn't be able to find a good

She was the third daughter of the Earl of

staying married to a man who'd lost his position, a man who

her pride and her future, Finally, she rose and walked into Barrett's room. She needed to tell him the news. Part of

he didn't look angry or

leave," he said calmly, "then leave. Take whatever valuables are

out a choked sob. "You're that eager for

steady and detached. "You've suffered enough staying with me. I know you