It was rtively 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 pce, 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 novish feasts, and the Marquis of Highcrest''s family only sent threedies 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 rtives asionally visited Carissa''s sister-inw. Anthony hade once or twice, but Carissa, still learning etiquette at the time, had only appeared briefly to offer a polite greeting while concealing her face.


    Thest 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 mutted head. His eyes were dark and haunting, like the sky before a storm.


    When Carissa heard he wasing personally, her hand trembled while she was doing embroidery, and she identally 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 toe personally; she had assumed someone else would be sent to inquire.


    Carissaposed herself and said softly, "I''ll change into another dress ande 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-inw''s family. At times when she attended events while she had been with the Warren family, she would deliberately avoid them.


    The rtionships were like gunpowder buried deep within, where seeing each other


    FOR HONDA


    only ignited painful memories and wounds that could not be suppressed.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Carissa changed into a in 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 topose 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 Sinir, how are you?"


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


    difort.


    "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 ring 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 pce that day, I saw you and almost didn''t recognize you."


    Carissa recalled the day of the parade and the subsequent pce 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."