Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair) novel Chapter 1628

Before my separation, I, Leona Sanford, used to lead a life that was nothing but a joke.

Since I was young, my parents taught me to keep a low profile, never seek attention, stay out of other people's business, and guard my reputation carefully. I was never to invite trouble upon myself.

Everyone said my parents were generous, modest, and noble in character.

I believed it was true.

After all, my father was a dignified prince, while my mother came from the noble Sullivan family. Even with such high ranks, they never troubled others or lost their temper. Even when treated unfairly, they simply smiled and bore it.

But as I grew older and learned to see things clearly, I realized the people's so-called praise was really mockery. To them, my parents were cowards.

The frightening part was that I had grown up with such teachings, never even realizing how timid I had become. I had mistaken my own weakness for gentleness, and that mistake stayed with me even after I married Samuel.

I thought my parents were simply kind—perhaps cautious to protect their good name and avoid conflict. But when I, a proud duchess, was mistreated by my husband's family, it became clear to me that my family's weakness had long been known to others.

Samuel was a handsome and charming scholar, one of the top graduates of the national examinations. I fell in love with him at first sight. When he rode through the streets on horseback, I threw a scented pouch at him. It was something everyone did, so I never thought he would notice me. When the marriage was arranged between our families, I was overjoyed, lost in the happy dreams of becoming a bride.

My parents kept the world's troubles from me, so I had no idea what my cousin was going through. Only later did I learn that Cari had sent me wedding gifts, but my mother refused to accept them, saying they were unlucky.

I was very upset. Cari had always been kind to me, and when she was in trouble, I had failed to help her. Now, my mother had even rejected her goodwill—it was a clear insult.

When I asked my mother why she had done that, she wept and said it was all for my own good.

"If unlucky people send gifts, their bad fortune might harm your marriage. What will you do if that happens? A woman's marriage is her happiness for her whole life," she said.

I had been blinded by love when I married Samuel; it had been a mistake. But how could my own parents treat me like that?

In the end, Cari helped me get a divorce edict, and Samuel's name was erased from the official records. He was even sentenced to exile.

No one could understand how terrifying it was to feel trapped at the bottom of such an abyss.

People said children must never hate their parents. But I truly hated them deeply. At my worst, I secretly swore I would never call them my parents again, no matter what the future held.