Her Graceful War Song

It was relatively easy to trace the matter back to Eleanor's estate.

With so many people bought off by Eleanor, there were bound to be a few with weak nerves who, after being questioned by the officials a few times, would reveal everything they knew.

When the investigation reached Eleanor's palace, Anthony ordered a temporary halt. He decided to visit Northwatch Estate in person to see Carissa.

When Carissa got married, the event was conducted with great discretion. There were no lavish feasts, and the Marquis of Highcrest's family only sent three ladies to present gifts. No one attended the wedding.

Carissa and Anthony had seldom met. She had left home at a young age and rarely stayed in the capital. After returning from Meadow Ridge, the Marquis of Highcrest's female relatives occasionally visited Carissa's sister-in-law. Anthony had come once or twice, but Carissa, still learning etiquette at the time, had only appeared briefly to offer a polite greeting while concealing her face.

The last time Anthony had been seen by Carissa was during the massacre of her family. She had returned to her family home from the Warren family and found him sitting on the bloodstained stone steps, holding a severed and mutilated head. His eyes were dark and haunting, like the sky before a storm.

When Carissa heard he was coming personally, her hand trembled while she was doing embroidery, and she accidentally pricked her finger. As she watched the blood well up, it felt like a dark, menacing presence. Everything around her seemed to turn red.

She hadn't expected him to come personally; she had assumed someone else would be sent to inquire.

Carissa composed herself and said softly, "I'll change into another dress and come out right away."

After steadying herself for a while, she rose to change her clothes.

Since the massacre, she had no contact with her sister-in-law's family. At times when she attended events while she had been with the Warren family, she would deliberately avoid them.

The relationships were like gunpowder buried deep within, where seeing each otherContent property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

1/3

FOR HONDA

only ignited painful memories and wounds that could not be suppressed.

Carissa changed into a plain dress, her hands trembling slightly within the wide sleeves.

She could never forget the sight of Anthony holding Ryan's mangled head as he sat on the ground. The memory was too painful and overwhelming.

As she reached the main hall, she took several deep breaths. However, her eyes betrayed her, as they were already reddened with unshed tears.

With each step forward, it felt as though her feet were weighed down by lead, making it almost impossible to move.

She could hear Frederick greeting Anthony Anthony's voice was deep and authoritative, but his responses were curt and minimal.

After several attempts to compose herself, she finally appeared at the door of the main hall and slowly stepped inside. Instead of looking directly at Anthony, she lowered her gaze and offered a polite greeting, "Greetings, Lord Klein."

Anthony rose, and returned the gesture with a respectful nod. "Lady Sinclair, how are you?"

The formal address felt awkward between them, their eyes betraying their

discomfort.

"I'm well enough," Carissa replied, her voice trembling slightly. "Please, have a seat."

Anthony also gestured for her to sit. "Please take a seat as well."

They both settled into their chairs. Frederick withdrew to the doorway, where he squinted against the glaring sunlight, his eyes stinging.

No attendants or servants approached them; the two sat in the main hall, momentarily silent.

Both of them were trying hard to calm their churning emotions and the overwhelming sense of bloodshed in front of them. This might be something that neither of them-and their families-would ever be able to forget.

It was Anthony who broke the silence first. "At the victory celebration in the palace that day, I saw you and almost didn't recognize you."

Carissa recalled the day of the parade and the subsequent palace celebration. She hadn't changed her clothes and was covered in grime then.

She managed a faint smile, but tears fell onto the back of her hand as she looked down. Her voice sounded unnatural as she said, "I'm sorry for that."

Anthony took a deep breath, his throat tight with emotion. "Your father and brothers

..Everyone in the Duke of Northwatch's family would be proud of you."