Rebecca was furious, and her face twisted into an ugly expression.Though a hundred gold coins were a substantial amount, their journey to the battlefield wasn’t driven by the prospect of rewards. Knowing that Barrett had been on the verge of promotion but was demoted due to taking the fall for Aurora, Rebecca was particularly upset. Adding to her frustration was the fact that Aurora’s failed command during the siege had resulted in both reward and punishment, leaving Barrett with only a hundred gold coins. The news nearly gave her a stroke.Her health, already fragile, deteriorated further from repeated bouts of anger, leading her to faint during the night. She had to call for a doctor, who administered acupuncture to revive her. But now, with the need to buy medicine again, she had already exhausted her funds. The money for the tea party had been borrowed, and with only a hundred gold coins received, there was barely enough to cover debts, let alone purchase much-needed medic
Serena was terrified by Aurora’s fierce gaze. She stumbled backward and fell onto the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face. “Mom, she hit me!” she cried. Seeing her beloved daughter being struck, Rebecca could barely contain her anger. “Barrett, you need to keep your wife in check!”Barrett stood before Aurora, his face drawn with fatigue and inner turmoil. “How could you hit her? She spoke out of turn, but you could have reprimanded her instead.”Aurora’s expression was a mix of disappointment and bitterness. “So what if I hit her? She’s been spreading lies about me! Why aren’t you criticizing her?”“I wasn't the one who said those things! It’s what everyone else is saying! If you have the guts, go deal with them!” Serena sobbed, her eyes burning with resentment. “You’re too scared to confront outsiders, so you’re just taking your frustration out on me! Do you think you're so great for doing that?”Aurora’s voice was sharp and unyielding. “What others say is their
“How absurd!”Charlotte slammed her fist on the table. Her face, illuminated by the dim light of the courtyard, reflected her fury.Benjamin and Amelia, chastised by her outburst, lowered their heads and remained silent, too afraid to speak.“How dare you ask me to go to Northwatch Estate?! How can I show my face there? Am I to tell them that Barrett regrets his decision because he married a venomous woman who beat her father-in-law? "A household in disarray, and now, she’s expected to come back and clean up the mess, use her dowry to pay for her mother-in-law’s medical expenses, and provide seasonal clothes for her younger sister-in-law?“Shame on you for even suggesting it! When you wanted Barrett to divorce her, did you show any compassion? You even tried to claim her dowry! If it weren’t for the king granting the divorce edict, wouldn't you have also claimed her estate and shops? "If you have the nerve, go ahead and ask her! I won’t! Even if my face were as thick as a city
No matter how much the others protested, Barrett remained resolute, his face expressionless. “No one from our family is allowed to approach Carissa.”Seeing his stubbornness, Rebecca sighed. “It’s not that I want to seek her out, but our family needs a way out. Look at Aurora's behavior! Forget how she has disgraced our family and drawn unwanted attention to us—she's cruel and malicious, and she even harmed your father! "If your father had been slightly weaker, he might have died at her hands! And where is she now? After injuring someone, she retreated to her maternal home. Fine! Let her hide there! It would be best if she never returned!”"It would be good if you could unilaterally divorce her, but it was you who sought the king's permission to marry her."Rebecca suddenly paused, looking sharply at Barrett. “If she has attacked your father and disrespected your mother, could we report this to the king and request a divorce?”Barrett’s frustration was palpable. “Stop making a
Frederick, having managed the outer household for many years and being well-acquainted with the intricacies of court life, quickly assessed the situation."My lady, one thing is certain: the king likely doesn’t actually want you to enter the palace. Otherwise, he could have simply issued an edict making you a concubine. You wouldn’t have had any choice but to comply.""I know that," Carissa replied, a hint of frustration lacing her voice. "But he’s given me three months to find a suitor, almost as if he's pressuring me into marriage. What does my single status have to do with him? I’ve reviewed the royal edict concerning my father’s posthumous title multiple times. While other details are insignificant, what stands out is that if I marry, my husband could inherit a title. Does he want someone to inherit my father’s title through marriage?"Frederick considered this, and said, "I recall the edict mentioning the possibility of selecting suitable relatives from collateral branches to b
In the following days, the threshold of Northwatch Estate was nearly worn flat.Once rarely visited by the wives of noble families and officials, the estate now saw a steady stream of visitors. It wasn’t because Salvador had issued an edict, but because Carissa had returned in triumph. Though only she remained of the Duke of Northwatch's family, it was clear she was capable of upholding its prestige.During her divorce, the wives of officials had often discussed Carissa in private gatherings. She had become a topic of their idle chatter. Now, the conversations about her were no longer casual gossip but carried a respectful undertone.For Carissa, entertaining guests wasn’t a challenge. Before she married into the Warren family, Melanie had arranged for her to receive a year’s worth of training. Socializing was just a matter of playing the part—smiling, chatting, nodding, and following along with the conversation.Everyone enjoyed themselves, laughing and chatting, and when it was
Heather and Leona stayed for an hour before leaving. Carissa accompanied them to the gates of the estate, maintaining a demeanor of complete friendliness and lack of resentment.Lulu, feeling upset on her behalf, said, “My lady, you sent gifts to the princess, but the princess’s mother had them returned. Clearly, she looked down on you at that time. Why are you being so kind to them today?”Sitting in front of the vanity, Carissa instructed Lulu to remove her hairpins. “Isn’t socializing just a matter of putting on a smile and exchanging pleasantries? Aunt Heather has always been kind to me. I was indeed thoughtless before—sending gifts to my cousin while I was the one who had divorced.”“But you didn’t personally go. Besides, you were granted a divorce by the king. It wasn't like your husband unilaterally divorced you. Why were the gifts returned?”“Lulu, don’t dwell on these things. It’s exhausting to be so petty about everything.” Carissa glanced at her weary reflection in the
Rebecca arrived with Benjamin, Amelia, and Serena in tow.As soon as she alighted from the carriage, she twisted her ankle and fell. She sat right in front of Northwatch Estate, and began to wail uncontrollably.“Carissa, I’ve always treated you like my own daughter! You’ve never suffered any hardship when you were married to our family! I’ve never imposed any rules on you! Your divorce was granted by the king at your request. How could you hold such a grudge against me? You know I need Sebastian’s medicine to survive, but you refuse to let him come and treat me! Are you trying to kill me?”Serena joined in the crying. “That's right, Carissa!” she said. “You shouldn’t forget the kindness we showed you! When your family was wiped out, Mom was worried you would be depressed. She stayed by your side day and night, even sleeping with you to help you through those hard times. How can you be so heartless now?”Rebecca clutched her chest, sobbing in a heartbroken manner. Despite that, s