Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair)

Carissa knelt in the study with her head bowed.

Salvador remembered the Sinclair family. Knowing that Carissa was now the only one left stirred a feeling of pity in him.

"Rise and speak," he commanded.

Carissa bowed deeply with her hands clasped. "Your Majesty, I know it's presumptuous of me to seek an audience today. But I also wish to implore for your grace."

"I have already issued the edict. It's impossible to revoke it," Salvador said.

Carissa shook her head gently. "Your Majesty, I implore you to issue another edict. I want to divorce General Warren."

The young king was taken aback. "What? You want a divorce?"

Salvador thought she had come to ask him to rescind the marriage edict. He never expected a plea for a divorce.

Holding back tears, Carissa pleaded, "Your Majesty, General Warren and General Yates sought the marriage edict with their military achievements.

"Today is the death anniversary of my father and brothers. I wish to seek an edict to divorce my husband based on my late family's military merits. Please, Your Majesty, I'm begging you."

"Carissa, do you know what you'll face after the divorce?" Salvador asked, a complicated expression on his face.

Carissa hadn't heard Salvador call her by name in a long time.

When he was still the crown prince, he used to occasionally visit Northwatch Estate. He would always find some interesting little gifts to give her when he did. After Carissa later went to Meadow Ridge to study under her master, they never saw each other again.

"I do," she affirmed.

There was a hint of a smile on Carissa's stunning face. But no matter how one looked at it, the smile seemed tinged with irony.

"I'm sure you know the saying that a true gentleman appreciates and helps others to fulfill their aspirations, right? Even though I'm not a gentleman, I don't want to hinder General Warren and General Yates from being together," Carissa added.

"Carissa, there's no one left at Northwatch Estate. Are you really going to go back there? Have you thought about your future?" Salvador asked.

"I returned to the estate today to visit my family's memorial plaques. Seeing how the estate has fallen into disrepair made me want to live there again. I'll adopt a son for my father's sake, so there will still be someone to honor his memory," Carissa explained.

Salvador had thought she was being impulsive; he hadn't expected her to be so considerate.

"You're Barrett's legal wife. Aurora can't undermine your position. You really don't need a divorce."

Carissa looked up with tear-filled eyes that were firm with resolve. "Your Majesty, that's meaningless. I don't want to waste my life like this. I'm the only one left from the Marquis of Northwatch's' family. My father and brothers lived honorably and bravely throughout their lives. I don't want to settle for a life of mediocrity."

"I know you have feelings for Barrett. Are you willing to let go?" Salvador asked.

Feelings? Not really.

Carissa simply admired military men, and her mother had wanted her to marry and lead a stable life. That was why she had agreed to the marriage. Carissa smiled. At this moment, she looked like a strong woman who would be able to flourish even in the most challenging circumstances.

"If he can let go of me, then I can let go of him," she declared.

Beneath her delicate appearance, she possessed an unyielding backbone.

This stunned Salvador. He had never seen such a woman before.

He felt a pang of confusion, remembering the carefree little girl who used to smile all day long. Now, she was married and soon to be abandoned. To the world, divorce still meant abandonment. This was especially true in Carissa's situation, as Barrett had publicly sought the marriage edict. Being a woman was already difficult, and she would have it even harder.

How would she negotiate future marriages? There was no one left in her family to do it for her.

Thinking of this, Salvador recalled Hector's merits, especially how they had saved each other on the battlefield, and his heart softened towards Carissa.

"Alright, I agree. You may leave now. In a few days, the edict of divorce will be sent to the general's residence," Salvador said.

Carissa breathed a sigh of relief and bowed her head. "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

As Salvador watched her, he was suddenly reminded of when she was a little girl, and his heart softened further.

"Carissa, if anyone mistreats you in the future, come to the palace and see me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Carissa bowed once again.