Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair) novel Chapter 2

Barrett sighed in frustration. “Why put yourself through this? There was a royal edict for this marriage. Even when Aurora moves in, you’ll be in separate wings. She won’t compete with you for control of the household. She doesn’t care about those things.” 

“Do you really think I’m attached to managing this household?” Carissa countered. 

Running this mansion was no easy task. Just the monthly medicine for Barrett’s mother cost dozens of silver coins. Then, there was food, clothing, and social obligations—all these things required money. 

This household was practically a hollow shell. Over the past year, Carissa had used much of her dowry to keep things running. 

And this was her reward. 

“Enough, I won’t argue with you. I just needed to inform you. Whether you agree or not changes nothing,” said Barrett, his patience wearing thin. 

As Carissa watched him leave in a huff, she felt even more bitter. 

“My lady, my lord was too much!” said Lulu, Carissa’s maid, wiping her tears away. 

“Don’t call him that!” Carissa gave her a stern look. “We never consummated the marriage. He’s not your lord. Go fetch my dowry list.” 

“Why the dowry list?” Lulu asked, puzzled. 

Carissa tapped her on the forehead. “Silly girl, why would we stay in this house any longer?” 

Lulu held her forehead and gasped. “But your mother arranged this marriage, and your father wanted you to marry and have children.” 

Tears finally welled up in Carissa’s eyes at the mention of her parents. 

Her father had stayed loyal to her mother, never taking a concubine. They had six sons and one daughter. All her brothers followed her father to the battlefield. Three years ago, none returned from the Southern Frontier. 

Though she was a girl, Carissa came from a family of warriors and started training as a child. At the age of seven, she was sent to study under a master, where she also learned military strategy.