After a brief chat, Carissa asked, "Can the earring be repaired?"


    "My mother-inw has already sent it to The Golden Tower for examination. It should be repairable," Ka replied.


    "Such a valuable item should be kept safely; wearing it out carries risks," Carissa said, noticing how much Ka cared about the earring and understanding its significance to her.


    "I usually don''t wear it," Ka said with a smile, though her eyes were misted with tears. "But it was Alexander''s first day at the academy yesterday. I thought if I wore it, it would feel like myte husband was with me, sending our child to the academy together."


    Her voice trembled slightly, "That was one of the things we vowed to do together when we got married. I know it''s silly. But if I don''t lie to myself sometimes, it''s hard to get through the day."


    Carissa''s eyes were filled withpassion, half for Ka and half for herself.


    "You''re strong, Your Grace. Unlike me, I know you wouldn''t do something silly like lying to yourself."


    Ka''s voice was tinged with sadness, but she seemed eager to talk to someone.


    Perhaps it was because she hadn''t confided in anyone for a long time. Or maybe because Ka''s husband had served under the Duke of Northwatch and perished with him and his six sons on the Southern Frontier battlefield.


    "I have no grand ambitions in life, and my talents are unremarkable. My character is reserved and Ick decisiveness. My husband, on the other hand, was a hero in his youth. He was exceptionally handsome and came from an illustrious family. He could have married any woman he wanted. Yet, he chose me, an ordinary person.


    "I married him when I was seventeen. I''m twenty-five now, and we''ve been married for eight years. We were often apart, which is why we couldn''t have our own children. Fortunately, we have Alexander now. Although he''s not biologically ours, I believe myte husband would have liked him.


    "I have no other hopes for this life. I only wish for Alexander to grow up to be as upright and noble as his father. And I hope that someday, I can take him to the ce where his father fell, so he can pay his respects and offer a prayer."


    As she spoke, Ka looked at Carissa with tear-filled yet resolute eyes.


    "If that day everes, I hope you can have someone guide us to where he rests, Your Grace."


    Carissa gently replied, "Of course. When Alexander is older, I will send someone to lead you there. However, once you reach the Southern Frontier, you can ask the locals. They have erected a monument in the honor of those who have fallen, and there are continuous offerings."


    Ka smiled through her tears. "That''s good to hear. I can rest easy now, truly."


    Seeing her tears, Carissa felt unsure of how tofort her.


    "Don''t cry. He wouldn''t want to see you in pain."


    "Yes, he would be heartbroken. He told me once that seeing me cry hurt him too," Ka said, wiping her tears away with a sad smile. "The memories are so vivid in my mind Every night, when I toss and turn, I find myself reying every word he said over and over in my mind. But that''s enough. The memories he left me are enough to carry me through the rest of my life." This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Carissa and Violet exchanged a nce, both feeling a pang of sorrow in their hearts.


    Kaposed herself. "I''m sorry for my loss ofposure. I didn''t mean to cause difort for you, Your Grace, Ms. Spencer."


    "It helps to talk about it, doesn''t it?" Violet said, her voice unusually gentle.


    "Yes, it helps a lot," Ka replied, her eyes and nose reddened from crying.


    It seemed like all her emotions had finally found a release, bringing her a sense of calm.


    After Ka left, Violet hugged


    Carissa, her nose tingling as she choked up. "Cari, I wasn''t there for you during your hardest times, and it e


    breaks my heart. How did you


    manage? I can''t even bear to think about it."


    Amused at this unexpected disy


    of emotion, Carissaughed through teary eyes. "But I got through it


    home


    Don''t cry, or I won''t be able to


    either."


    Violet quickly let go, fanning her eyes and tilting her head back to push down the tears. "No. No crying. Neither of us should cry."


    "Who''s crying?" Helen entered the room and saw both Violet and Carissa with red-rimmed eyes. "Wait, didn''t we have guests? Why are you both in tears?" She muttered, "And why didn''t the gueste to pay respects to me? How rude."


    Violet and Carissa burst intoughter. Helen''s pouty expression was just too much to handle, leaving neither of them able to keep a straight face.