Her Graceful War Song

By the time they returned to Victory Pass, Barrett was running a high fever. Even on the road, he had barely been holding on. The pain gnawed at him endlessly, and in a rare moment of clarity, he had even begged Bun to finish him off, just to put an end to the torment.

Once back, the army physician took over Barrett's care. The wound was cleaned, the rotting flesh scraped away. It was a process that brought fresh waves of agony.

The days that followed passed in a haze. Barely able to keep anything down, Barrett grew thinner by the day.

Meanwhile, Aurora's body was not sent back to the capital, but buried there at Victory Pass. As for her deeds-both good and bad-Dominic would report everything to Salvador in due time.

Ultimately, Westhaven's army withdrew. Without supplies, Leroy's men couldn't keep up the fight even if they wanted to.

According to Starhaven's scouts, Liam had returned to Westhaven's camp. It seemed he had set out to find Arthur at the border but fell into an ambush and was injured. That gave Leroy the opening he needed.

It was all part of Leroy's plan. If he and his men hadn't had a solid strategy, they wouldn't have sent so many troops to Victory Pass or secretly transported supplies. And because Leroy had launched a full-scale assault and invaded Starhaven's territory, Starhaven had the upper hand in the peace talks.

Carissa didn't take part in the negotiations. Instead, she went to pick up Lulu and returned to the capital with Violet and the others.noveldrama

She soon arrived home, weary from the journey. Seeing Northwatch Estate still standing tall in the morning sun, and the old gatekeeper stepping out with a warm smile, a wave of relief washed over her. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought hard to hold them back.

Someone went inside to tell her family she was back, and Ryan came running out first. His face lit up with delight as he grabbed her hands and chattered excitedly.

"Aunt Carissa! Where did you go? Why were you gone for so long?"

Carissa gently patted his head and smiled. "I went to visit your great-grandfather, and stayed there for quite a while."

"Was it fun? Can I go with you next time?" Ryan asked eagerly.

"It was really fun. If you want, I'll take you next time." Carissa nudged him forward. "Come on, let's go inside."

She first told the servants to prepare some guest rooms so Violet and the others could rest comfortably. Then, she went to see her mother.

Carissa had a bad feeling she was about to get scolded. Her sisters-in-law stood in the hallway, giving her looks that said everything without a word. She greeted them first, then entered the main hall. Melanie was sitting on a wooden chair, her eyes slightly red but her expression cold and fierce.

"Kneel," Melanie said slowly, her eyes fixed on her daughter.

Carissa was momentarily stunned, then her face lit up with joy. "Mom, can you see again?"

"Kneel!" Melanie repeated, her eyes locked onto Carissa's face.

After a careful glance to make sure her daughter wasn't hurt, her voice grew even sterner as she said, "You're completely out of control You used your grandfather as an excuse to go to Victory Pass then snuck off to the battlefield behind his back. If it weren't for Wade's letter, were you planning to keep this from me forever?"

So, Wade had sold Carissa out.

She dropped to her knees without protest, her voice sincere as she apologized, "I

was wrong, Mom. Please punish me. I won't dare do such a thing again."

When Melanie had first received the letter, anger had not been her foremost emotion-it was fear. She had spent sleepless nights worrying. Now, Seeing Carissa safe and sound before her, that worry had eased, but she still had to scold her.

"If you ever dare do such a thing again, I'll send you straight back to Meadow Ridge and have Sage Everett watch over you himself. You won't be allowed to take a single step beyond its gates."

"Yes, I understand," said Carissa softly.

"Go kneel in front of your father's memorial plaque for three days," Melanie said calmly as she took a cup of tea from a maid.

She turned to Lulu, who stood hesitantly at the doorway, not daring to come in. "And you. You knew and said nothing. You'll be punished as well."

Lulu's heart sank, and she dropped to her knees. "Yes, ma'am!"

Before going to the family chapel where Hector's memorial plaque was, Carissa shuffled forward and wrapped her arms around Melanie. She rested her head on her mother's lap as she choked back a sob.

"Mom, I missed you so much."

Melanie sighed, her heart already softening beyond reason. "Go and kneel for two hours. No less."

She knew Carissa had rushed all the

way home and was exhausted from

the journey. Even asking her to kneel for two hours felt cruel. But if

Melanie didn't punish her at all, what would her nieces and nephews think? That there were no

consequences for disobedience?

In the days that followed, Carissa was on her best behavior. If Melanie told her to

go east, she wouldn't dare take a single step west. If Melanie told her to eat

bread, she wouldn't even think about asking for something else.