Her Graceful War Song

None of the women in Gracehold Estate said anything. The air was filled with a heavy silence and sorrow in the aftermath of such a tragedy. No family could bear a situation like this without feeling the weight of grief. Abigail's words to Samuel resonated with Dorothy. Since her grandson's promising future was now ruined, she opposed the idea of a divorce. However, she struggled to find her voice when faced with Carissa's cold demeanor. Earlier, Dorothy had complained about Carissa interfering with their family's affairs. Ultimately, it had been Carissa's decision to summon Sebastian that had saved Leona's life at a critical moment.

Dorothy turned to Heather and softly said, "A divorce isn't good for anyone, Your Grace. Please persuade Leona not to let the Hell Monarch's princess consort dictate their fate and ruin their marriage."

Heather glanced at her niece and was about to speak, but Carissa's icy voice cut her off, "If you utter even a single word urging Leona to stay, I'll make this matter public. Once Princess Meredith hears about it, she'll certainly have her father-in-law petition the court, and the Earl of Gracehold's family will face repercussions that can't be undone."

With the Earl of Gracehold's family already under scrutiny, the young men of the household had been cautious. But now, because of Samuel's reckless actions, the future of everyone in the household was in jeopardy. So, the women of the household rose to speak for Leona.

"Leona barely had any good days after she married into our family. She was pregnant for nine months, and she spent three of them confined to bed, only to endure this unbearable suffering afterward. She's returned from the brink of death; Samuel shouldn't be allowed to harm her again."

"That's right. We should heed Lady Carissa's advice. Let them part ways. If Samuel wishes to pursue his courtesan or some other concubine's daughter, no one will stop him. We only hope he won't bring further ruin upon our family."

"We should let Leona leave Gracehold Estate. How can she survive in a place that brought her so much sorrow?"

Words of justice were only spoken when it threatened one's own interests.

Heather swallowed the words she initially wanted to say and wiped away her tears, instead saying, "But what will happen to Leona? In the end, she's still choosing to part ways with Samuel."

Heather resented Samuel, yet she secretly wished for him and Leona to continue their lives together.

After only a few sharp words

directed at Samuel, she turned to Carissa and sadly said, "It wasn't that I didn't want to accept the wedding gifts you offered to Leona back then, but look at what happened. Despite me not accepting the gifts you sent, we're now in this

predicament.

"Had I accepted them, who knows what fate would have befallen us? I'm not blaming you, but after your mom passed away, there were hardly any sensible people left in your household. Your mom trained Frederick for many years, yet he still didn't understand the rules well."

Heather kept bringing up the issue of Carissa giving Leona gifts for her dowry. She claimed not to blame her niece, but every word dripped with accusation.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Carissa wasn't about to let Heather's remarks slide this time.

In a calm and almost icy tone, she said, "You're @ght, Lady Heather. It's the people in my household who

lack understanding. How could a et

household on the brink of ruin have any luck? Here's what we'll do tally up all the gifts my mom has ever

sent you and return everything.

"I'll have Lily and Frederick account for what you've given my mom over the years, and we'll return those. Once we've settled this, there'll be no hard feelings between our families, and you won't have to worry about the gifts bringing your family bad luck.

"As for Leona's dowry, I ultimately never gave her anything. The gifts remain unopened and are sitting in my estate's annex. It was good that you refused them when you did, or the blame would fall on me if anything happened to your family."

Heather's expression froze. "What...

Child, is that truly what you think I

meant? I'm not blaming you. I'm only saying that the people in your

household don't know how to handle

matters. Your mom and I were

sisters bound by blood! Why do we need to draw such a cleartine between us?"

"Let's not argue about it any longer. You can sort everything out when you return home. I'll send someone to deliver and collect what's owed tomorrow," Carissa concluded, then turned her back on her aunt. She couldn't be bothered to listen to anything else the older woman had to say.