Barrett went out and bought a gold hairpin, and placed it in a box. Upon returning to the estate, he inquired about Serena and learned that she was in their mother's room. He went straight there.As expected, Serena was holding the jewelry box when he arrived. Seeing him, she immediately stood up, her expression wary. "Aren't you on duty tonight? Why are you back so soon?""This is for you." Barrett handed her the box and said coolly, "I bought it with my allowance."Serena looked at him with suspicion. "You bought a hairpin for me? Why?"She clutched her jewelry box tighter. For the past few days, she had been told to return the ruby tiara. Now, she was suddenly being given a hairpin?"It's to add to your dowry, and also because you've been taking such good care of our mom these past few days. Just accept it," Barrett said with a sigh, then turned to look at Rebecca on the bed. "Mom, how are you feeling today?"Rebecca was surprised by her son's actions. She replied, "Your sis
When Barrett returned to Valor Estate, the maid had managed to pull the two women apart. However, both Serena and Viola were in a terrible state—hair disheveled, clothes torn, and their faces marked with scratches and handprints. They looked like they had been in a street brawl.Rebecca sat on a chair, gasping for breath and glaring fiercely at Viola. "Serena is about to debut into society! How can she face anyone with her face so marred?"Viola was sitting on the floor, crying inconsolably. Her sobs filled with deep frustration and helplessness.Barrett strode in and helped Viola to her feet, then handed her a stack of banknotes. "The ruby tiara has been returned. Take this money back with you.""Are you out of your mind, Barrett?" Rebecca snapped, rising angrily. "Returning the jewelry we bought—what's left of our family's dignity?""Bring it back! I won't return it!" Serena had just caught her breath, and she rushed at him. She pounded his chest and displayed an unseemly tant
Barrett's eyes were cold as he said softly, "I truly wish you could tell me that you didn't do those things in Fawnrun City."Aurora smirked coldly. "Is it because of what happened in Fawnrun City that you despise me? No, you despise me because I was captured on the mountain outside Simonton City, because I was disfigured. You think I'm no longer pure, but I can assure you, I am."Barrett shook his head. "No, it's not the events on the mountain outside Simonton City that trouble me. I only feel pity for you in that regard. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken a beating on your behalf. What I can't accept are the things you did in Fawnrun City.""Stop deceiving yourself, alright?" Aurora continued to smirk. "Do you really think that what I did in Fawnrun City was wrong?""Don't you think you were in the wrong?" Barrett took a deep breath. "Even now, you still don't see your mistakes?"Aurora didn't wear a veil, and the light revealed the full extent of her emotions. Her eyes burned wit
Barrett said, "Even if they were Westhaven people, they were still civilians. We had an agreement not to harm civilians. It was a promise from the rulers to the people, and it benefited the citizens of both kingdoms. Did you never consider that the people of Victory Pass might also be at risk of slaughter?"Aurora snorted, her eyes filled with disdain. "As a former military general, you should know better, Barrett. You're not cut out for the battlefield. You're too soft and lack the resolve needed. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have achieved anything. Even in front of General Sullivan, you needed me to strongly advocate for sending troops to burn the supply depot in Fawnrun City. Without me, you wouldn't have even achieved that."You gained merit because I earned it first. I signed the treaty, and you, as the commanding general of the reinforcements, reaped the benefits of my accomplishments. Now, you have the audacity to blame me for achieving success? Don't you find yourself d
Barrett lifted the curtain and stepped outside the room with Aurora. They moved so silently that their footsteps were almost inaudible, and the surroundings were eerily quiet.After waiting for a moment, he opened the door and quickly hid behind it. Once he was certain there was no immediate danger, he cautiously peered outside.The sight that met his eyes was chilling.The lanterns in the corridor cast light on the stairs, where three bodies lay sprawled. These were the maids who had served Aurora. They had been killed with a single sword thrust to the throat, unable to even utter a cry.Blood trickled down the stone steps, staining them a deep crimson.Barrett's mind instantly flashed to the Duke of Northwatch's family's massacre.He gasped. "My parents…!"He was about to rush out when Aurora grabbed his arm.Aurora's face was ashen, her lips trembling slightly. "I think… I think they're after me."Barrett quickly understood. It was possible that spies from Westhaven were se
Before Viola could react, she saw the black-clad figures burst in, their swords dripping with blood. It was obvious they had killed people on their way here.Viola screamed and rushed to the door, banging on it with urgency. "Aurora, open the door! Open the door!"Yvonne and Julia shielded Viola, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. "Stay away..."The black-clad figures swung their swords, slicing through the air with deadly precision. Yvonne and Julia felt a cold sensation across their throats, and then blood splattered and gushed out.Their throats were cut, and they couldn't even utter a sound before collapsing.Viola was paralyzed with fear and sank to the ground. She covered her ears and cried, "Help! Help!"One of the black-clad figures advanced towards Viola with his sword raised. Just then, Barrett delivered a powerful kick, sending the assailant flying. He immediately took up a defensive stance beside Viola."Get inside and hide!" Barrett was facing imminent danger, a
The two of them fought desperately but were quickly overwhelmed, blood splattering everywhere.The assassins showed no desire to linger in battle. One dealt with Gregory and his sons, while the remaining three pressed their attack on Aurora, targeting her chest with their blades. In a panic, Aurora threw down her sword and pulled Barrett in front of her, using him as a shield."No!" Rebecca and Viola both screamed in shock at the sight.Never in Barrett's wildest dreams would he imagine that Aurora would do such a thing. He was injured, and Aurora held him tightly. As a result, he couldn't swing his sword in defense. He could only watch helplessly as the three assassins advanced, their swords poised to plunge into his heart.Everyone's blood ran cold, but no one could do anything. Rebecca couldn't even bear to watch, terrified of seeing her son die at the hands of the assassins.In the nick of time, a red spear flew through the air, expertly knocking aside the three swords. The
"You're insane!" Gregory was furious. "They're all bound! If we don't get the authorities to interrogate them to find out who sent them, we can't eliminate future threats!"Aurora looked up, her gaze locking with Carissa's in midair. Her eyes were a mix of complexity and malice as she gritted her teeth."You're a discarded woman the Warren family cast out. What right do you have to come back here?"Carissa observed Aurora's bloodied face, and her frown deepened. "Did you think they were Westhaven spies? What an idiot."Aurora's expression shifted slightly, her eyes filled with even more venom. Yes, she was worried that they could be Westhaven spies. If they were tortured by the Royal Citadel and the local authorities, they might reveal information about Fawnrun City. Right now, she was still hoping for the best since the king had yet to punish her.But if the matter was discovered through interrogation by the local authorities…Aurora couldn't afford to gamble on it.Carissa cou
By the time they reached the capital of Orivenia, it was the 13th of August. A full month had passed since they left Starhaven.The afternoon sun shone brightly, and Kendrick lay back in the carriage as they entered the city.Since entering Orivenia's borders, they had endured seven assassination attempts. The last one had been particularly brutal, likely involving suicide soldiers. Many of the Mystic Army were injured, and even Violet had been grazed on the shoulder. Thankfully, it hadn't struck anything vital.Kendrick's fear was understandable. The attack had come when he was emerging from the washroom. The assassin's sword had pierced his chest, nearly plunging in completely. It was Carissa who noticed in time and swiftly turned, driving her spear into the assassin's chest before dragging him back with the hooked tip of her dagger, saving Kendrick's life.Though the injuries were minor, Kendrick reacted as if he had been mortally wounded. He howled in agony for half the night b
Kendrick had been shaken by the attack, and the royal physician had already been called to prepare a sedative to calm his nerves.When Carissa visited him, it was a pitiful sight. His face was as pale as paper, drained of all color. His lips trembled, and he shakily asked if the assassins were gone.She reassured him, saying they had gone, and only then did his trembling subside slightly.The people around him had already informed him that the assassins were driven off, but he hadn't believed them. He needed to hear it from Carissa to feel any sense of security.Carissa reminded him to rest and recuperate before she left.Meanwhile, Davis was busy comforting the others. As the Defense Minister, he had seen his fair share of chaos and remained calm. Also, he trusted Carissa and the Mystic Army. He didn't think there was much to fear—at worst, they had just risked losing a head.It was Meadow Ridge's members who gathered together, speculating that the black-clad figures they had en
At the break of dawn, the large procession set out for Orivenia.Carissa didn't feel much regret in leaving. After all, they would pass through Victory Pass on the way back, and she would have the chance to meet with her grandfather and his family again.Once they had left Victory Pass, the road grew rougher. Many sections were full of deep potholes or had been intentionally damaged, making it difficult for the carriages to move forward.However, Kendrick was determined not to ride a horse again. Even after days of rest, his legs were still sore from the relentless friction of the saddle. Walking was manageable, but sitting on horseback? That was pure agony.So, despite having earned his merit at Victory Pass for establishing an orphanage there, Kendrick insisted on traveling by carriage. When the wheels got stuck or the path became too treacherous, the Mystic Army soldiers dismounted and pushed the carriage forward, inching their way through the difficult terrain.Fortunately,
Wallace gave the order, and Barrett was tasked with the job of investigating. He led a group to search the area.Barrett was aware that Carissa had arrived at Victory Pass. He had been there to greet the group. However, he had stayed at a distance, watching from afar without approaching. From that distance, he hadn't been able to make out any faces, only a vague silhouette that seemed to resemble hers.He had thought his actions unnecessary. After all, what business did he have with her? The affairs of the capital were nothing for him to involve himself with.While the diplomatic envoy rested in Victory Pass, they spent their time discussing strategies and rehearsing their approach. Everyone understood that while this negotiation might seem easier compared to the last, it was by no means a simple task.Lisandra had long kept this matter at the forefront of her mind and would not easily yield to any compromises.The Sullivan family also feared that someone might infiltrate the envo
Spring Pavilion was full that day.The restaurant wasn't very big to begin with, and it usually had some customers. The black-clad men that lady brought had taken up all the remaining seats.Carissa, Violet, and Travis had to sit at a small table the owner had set up at the last minute, separate from the others.The man's voice, soft and apologetic, reached Carissa's ear. It was warm and pleasant. "These are my brothers-in-arms. We've been traveling since last night and haven't had a bite to eat. If it troubles you, I can have them wait outside and just pass them some bread each when we're done."Violet paused, surprised, but quickly shook her head. "No need for that. Please, let them stay. They can sit where they like and order what they wish."The man smiled kindly. "You are kind-hearted, miss. In that case, we'll order freely, and we'll take extra.""Alright… That's fine," Violet replied, casting a glance at the sea of black. The men were dressed in a way that suggested some
Carissa studied the man and woman carefully, feeling a sense of unease. She couldn't quite place their age. They looked to be in their thirties, yet there was an undeniable vitality about them, as if they were no older than twenty.Her gaze moved to their eyes, particularly the man's. His eyes were as deep and mysterious, yet they held the calculating sharpness of a seasoned old fox.Before Carissa could say anything, the man stepped forward and spoke. "This is where the orphanage is being built? Is the local government funding it?"Travis glanced at them, noting their perfectly spoken Starhaven dialect. They clearly weren't from Victory Pass, yet he saw no malice in their faces. He nodded. "Yes, it's a place to take in abandoned children," he replied. "It's being supported by the local government."The man nodded. "That's a good cause."Carissa stepped forward. "Are you from the capital?"The man regarded her but didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked, "Are you the He
Kendrick didn't wake until well into the afternoon the following day, his body heavy with exhaustion and hunger. When his eyes finally fluttered open, he felt as if his entire body had been shattered. Every muscle ached, and lifting even his arm seemed like a Herculean task.The weariness sank deep into his bones, and he had no energy to move. His attendant, a trusted servant by the name of Avery, stood at his bedside, awaiting his attention. He said quietly, "Your Highness, Lady Carissa has been waiting for you for half the day. She wishes to speak with you."Kendrick had initially planned to stay in bed, have all his meals brought to him, and then drift back to sleep. He was simply too tired to move. But when he heard that Carissa had waited so long, he immediately threw the covers off and commanded, "Prepare me, quickly."Over the course of the journey, Kendrick had come to understand just how formidable Carissa was. As a woman, she had never once complained about exhaustion
After lighting a candle for Edith, everyone returned to the backyard. They wiped away their tears, set aside their grief, and gathered around Carissa to ask about her married life. The most frequent question was about how well Rafael treated her.That was how families were. They knew she was capable, yet they couldn't help but yearn for her spouse to treat her with genuine love and care.Carissa had many cousins, all daughters of her uncles, but most had only met her a handful of times. Still, when they saw her, they were all overjoyed.Her cousins were all married, and many had returned to Victory Pass with their husbands and children. Having heard so much about Carissa, they couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and sympathy.Among them was Shayla Sullivan, the eldest daughter of Carissa's second aunt. She had married Chase Hudson, one of Dominic's subordinates. But within a year of marriage, Chase died in battle before their child had even been born.Now, the child was 12
After nearly twenty days of grueling travel, they finally arrived at Victory Pass on the third of August.The heat had been unbearable along the way, causing many in the party to fall ill. Fortunately, Carissa had come well-prepared with plenty of medicine. They had also brought along a royal physician, Dorian, who was able to manage the illnesses without any major issues.But Kendrick, having never endured such hardship, was exhausted beyond measure. By the tenth day of their journey, he could barely speak. His face and lips were pale, and the exhaustion was evident in every line of his features.When they finally reached the outskirts of Victory Pass and saw the Sullivan family and the troops come out to greet them, Kendrick collapsed. The sight of him fainting right there gave everyone a fright, and they quickly rushed to carry him back.However, Carissa barely noticed Kendrick's condition. As soon as she saw her family, she ran straight into her grandfather's arms, tears stream