Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Let me tell you about the day the Saunders family crossed a line even I, Violet Spencer, couldn't ignore.

It was beyond outrageous!

The Saunders family held nothing more than a minor earl's title, yet Maya dared act so arrogantly! In all my years alive, I had encountered plenty of ill-mannered women, but never had I encountered one among the powerful and influential.

When I heard that they had dragged Courtney out and slapped her, calling her shameless for having feelings for a young man, I wanted to storm into Averton Estate, break down their door, and give them a taste of their own medicine.

Cari was angry too, but she reminded me that we couldn't just go rushing in without thinking. The most important thing was to check on Courtney and Viola- who knew if they might do something rash?

I had to admit, Cari had been in court long enough to know how to handle these things. She could stay calm when it mattered most.

I rushed straight to the Prince family's residence. As I feared, I found that

Courtney had slit her wrist. And when I heard Viola had sent away all her maids, I knew it was only going to get worse.

Sure enough, Viola was determined to hang herself up like winter provisions. I lost my temper and slapped her right across the face.

I've had a good temper these past few years, but seeing her like that, I couldn't hold back. All those years spent at the workshop and she never learned a thing. Not how to be strong, nor how to stand up for herself.

stormed over to

Cari there, accompanied by some soldiers from the

We had agreed I would be the one to storm in and deliver

a prisoner. I took a closer look-wasn't that Merrick's brother and heir

of course, Maya herself. It was

back and kept quiet for a moment, trying to figure out what was going on. Cari hadn't warned me she would be here, and now I was caught in a bit of a mess-fuming but unsure

family was bowing and scraping, begging Cari for mercy. And from there, I began to understand just

the act.

patrolling nearby and "happened" to come across the

vel

the concubine, and assaulting the merchant's servants. If those

pleas for mercy had gone on for at least as long as 15 minutes, but Cari remained unyielding, her expression

she gave me a look. We had known each other for

voice cutting through the

Perfect timing. I've come to settle

notice me for the first time, their eyes shifting toward me

bewilderment. What debt could I possibly