No matter how much the others protested, Barrett remained resolute, his face expressionless.


    "No one from our family is allowed to approach Carissa,"


    Seeing his stubbornness, Reba sighed. "It''s not that I want to seek her out, but our family needs a way out. Look at Aurora''s behavior! Forget how she has disgraced our family and drawn unwanted attention to us-she''s cruel and malicious, and she even harmed your father!


    "If your father had been slightly weaker, he might have died at her hands! And where is she now? After injuring someone, she retreated to her maternal home. Fine! Let her hide there! It would be best if she never returned!"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "It would be good if you could unterally divorce her, but it was your who sought the king''s permission to marry her."


    Reba suddenly paused, looking sharply at Barrett. "If she has attacked your father and disrespected your mother, could we report. this to the king and request a divorce?"


    Barrett''s frustration was palpable. "Stop making a scene! I''d rather the king forget about me for a few years and remember me onlyter. At this critical juncture, seeking a divorce would only end my career." Reba was stunned. "A few years? If the king neglects you for that long, what future do you have? Military careers depend on youth! How could things be so dire? This is just a matter of not managing. Aurora properly. You''ve received your due rewards, and were able to attend the celebration in the pce. That indicates the king still wants to use you."


    Barrett sat in silence, exhausted, not wanting to speak. Since


    returning from the battlefield, he hadn''t had a single peaceful night''s sleep or a decent meal. He couldn''t tell his family that during the Victory Pass battle, Aurora had ughtered vigers and humiliated Westhaven''s crown prince in every possible way.


    These were secrets he kept buried deep, never to be revealed.


    Seeing her son in such a state, Reba felt a mix of panic and anger. It was all Aurora''s fault. She had brought disgrace on their wedding day, and now, tarnished their achievements on the


    Southern Frontier.


    Reba sighed deeply. "How could you have chosen her? She''s nowhere near Carissa''s level."


    Barrett pursed his lips, and remained silent. He was filled with regret -he wished he could undo his choices.


    Two military achievements should have been enough to promote him and secure his position as a rising military star.


    The first time, he had used it to marry Aurora.


    The second time he tried to achieve something, Aurora''s actions had dragged him down.


    Perhaps he would never see another opportunity like this again in his life. Even if another war came, it wouldn''t be about reiming territory; it would likely involve suppressing bandits. How many such campaigns would it take before he had another chance at promotion?


    His life seemed doomed by a fleeting moment of infatuation.


    Now, all he wished for was for his family to remain free of trouble, to fade from everyone''s view over the next few years so people would eventually forget everything.


    IS DONUS


    That was why Barrett repeatedly instructed everyone not to seek out Carissa. His ties with her were severed; it was best for both of them. to remain apart. Reba was deeply disheartened, feeling it was unfair that her outstanding son was paired with someone like Aurora. ?


    Carissa and the others had spent the whole day out, returning to Northwatch Estate with numerous bags and packages.


    Travis, ignoring advice, insisted on buying some cosmetics. Violet then set up a bet on whether he would face thirtyshes or be put in confinement for a month. Everyone predicted he would face theshes, but Carissa ced ten silver coins on confinement.


    After all, he was a war hero. His master would surely give the court some consideration. It wouldn''t be appropriate to simply beat Travis up on a whim. The next day, after a brief visit to the military camp and saying their farewells, they departed.


    The deputy minister of the Ministry of Defense felt it was a pity. Such young and valiant generals would have been a tremendous asset to the court.


    What a shame!


    Once they left, Carissa put away her bright smile and summoned Frederick and two senior maids to the study for a discussion.


    It was rted to the king''s edict. Within three months, she needed to find a suitable marriage match, or she would be summoned to the pce.


    +15 +IS BONUS


    Carissa couldn''t understand why Salvador had issued such an edict.