Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair)

On the fourth day since the assassins appeared in Valor Estate, Carissa was summoned to the palace. Before this, no one from the Royal Citadel had come to question her, nor had the garrison unit appeared.

Carissa wasn't surprised. After all, the Royal Citadel and the garrison unit would have used the information they got from the Warren family to conduct their investigation. They needed to gather a coherent account before reporting to the king. Only then would the king

summon her to the palace for questioning.

As Carissa made her way to the palace, Barrett finally forced himself out of bed and headed straight for Aurora's room.

He had been bedridden for several days, recovering from his injuries. He had also been stewing with anger for days. Although his wounds were superficial, he had received over a dozen sword wounds and had no choice but to remain in bed to recover. If he didn't, he risked permanent damage. If that happened, he would lose all his value and might even be unable to serve as a member of the Capital Guard.

Aurora had also been confined to bed for a few days. As her injuries were less severe, she could have gotten up earlier, but she didn't want to move. Everyone in the residence regarded her with hostility-even the servants looked at her with fear and disgust. She still received three meals a day and the necessary medication she needed. No one dared stop them. She and Barrett were married by the king's edict, and the Warren family didn't dare ask him to divorce her.

After what happened, Aurora realized that Barrett had completely lost any affection for her. All remnants of their past feelings were gone.

So, when he stormed in angrily, she was already mentally prepared.

Barrett yanked her off the bed, his face dark with gloom and fury. He roared, "Why did you use me to shield yourself from their attacks? Did you want me to die in the face of danger? Is this your idea of considering our future?"

Aurora looked at him coldly. "I did it because the assassins didn't intend to kill you. Did you think I really wanted you to die for me? The assassins were targeting me that night, but they showed mercy towards you. Have you wondered why?"

Barrett threw her roughly back onto the bed, his anger boiling over. "Don't try to deceive me with your excuses. I'm sick of your lies. Even if the assassins didn't want to kill me, I couldn't have avoided their blows. When you pulled me in front of you, you grabbed my arms so tightly that I couldn't even defend myself. Aurora, you're so cruel!"

"I'm cruel? You're an idiot!" Aurora propped herself up on the bed, her face twisted with anger as she glared at her husband. "Have you ever wondered why the assassins were only after me and didn't try to kill you?

"How did Carissa swoop in to save you at the perfect moment? Just as those swords were about to strike you, her spear came flying in. How could a person's weapon arrive before the person themselves? It only proves one thing: she had been there all along."

"What are you trying to say now?" Barrett asked as stood in front of the bed, looking at the woman who had utterly disappointed him.

"I'm saying you're brainless! Carissa clearly sent those assassins! She wanted to kill me! That's why the assassins spared you!" Aurora shouted. "That's bullshit!"

Enraged, Barrett raised his hand as if to slap her, but his hand froze in mid-air for a moment before he pulled it back.

He said coldly, "If it were Carissa, why didn't she just kill those assassins outright? Why leave them alive for my uncle to take back to the Royal Citadel? It was you who killed those assassins because you feared they might be from Westhaven. You were afraid that the authorities would find out about what happened in Fawnrun City!

"Aurora, don't try to act so righteous. You're clearly guilty. You know the crimes you committed in Fawnrun City were heinous. Your indiscriminate killing makes you no better than a beast."

Aurora laughed harshly. After her laughter subsided, she wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Foolish-you're truly foolish, Barrett. Carissa's scheme worked. Yes, I am guilty. I was worried that those assassins were from Westhaven. But the moment I saw their masks lifted, I knew it was all a trap set by Carissa.

"She has always hated your whole

family. But instead of getting

revenge, she wanted all of you to be grateful to her. Look at you now-you've fallen for it. You even think she has feelings for you. Oh, Barrett, how could you be so stupid?"