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

wasn't that they couldn't see the value in Barrett, but the fact that he had slammed into a wall over Aurora-what kind of rumors

continuous complaints, Barrett's precarious position finally crumbled. Salvador issued an edict to remove him

ripple of promotions. Kevin was elevated to fill his role, and Galen, in turn, took

Mansion, Viola sat in stunned silence in a side hall. Minutes passed, then hours, yet

as though she wanted to speak, but

had shaken her to her core. It left her heartbroken, though not

Barrett was the one she respected the least. But there had been

willing to harm himself so drastically for Aurora, she understood one thing with chilling clarity-this man was beyond saving. He was no longer someone she could even consider keeping in her life. But what

one, she divorced, there was little chance she would marry again. Even if she did, she wouldn't be able to find a good match. As she had once said about Serena what was left for

third daughter of the Earl of Silverston's family. How could she

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

into Barrett's room. She needed to tell

didn't look angry or upset. Instead, he sighed as though a weight had

want to leave," he said calmly, "then leave. Take whatever valuables are left here. They're

composure broke, and she let out a choked sob. "You're that eager

voice steady and detached. "You've suffered enough