Her Graceful War Song

Ivy said, “Although my mentor doesn’t want to treat Madam Rebecca, he still keeps an eye on Madam Amelia since she comes in for Snowdrop Pills. Every time she comes to buy medicine, he instructs the shop assistants to ask about her situation. Madam Amelia has become familiar with them and tends to vent a bit.

“Yesterday, she didn’t say much, but they noticed she had been crying. In the past, she would talk about how she handles everything at home and takes care of her mother–in–law. Madam Viola manages the accounts, but Madam Amelia only gets a little money trickling through her fingers. When Madam Amelia can’t cover the household expenses, she has to sell or pawn her own things. It sounds like she’s really been feeling the pressure.”

When they arrived at Lily’s room, Frederick was still there. The two of them were catching up while Lutu sat nearby.

Lily’s complexion was not good, and upon hearing thern talk about Amelia, she sighed and said, “Madam Amelia is too weak. She lacks a backbone and can’t stand up for herself. Her family situation is complicated. Her dad’s a minor official out of town, and being sent away is just another way of saying he’s been demoted.

“The Warren family isn’t much better, but she has no support from her natal family. A biological father cant easily become a stepfather once he marries another woman, you know? So, no matter how difficult things are at Valor Estate, she has to endure. After all, there are children involved.”

“It sounds like she’s used to suffering in silence, Violet said.

Lily shook her head. “Enduring suffering isn’t about getting used to it. When someone has to bear it, there will come a day when they can’t take it anymore. I don’t know what’s happening in the Warren family, but if she can’t manage there, she has no other options–only a dead end. She can’t rely on her family.”

Lily sighed again. “That’s why she came to Lady Carissa, asking for Snowdrop Pills for Madam Rebecca. If she hadn’t, she risked being kicked out. Lady Carissa understood her predicament, which is why she suggested that Madam Amelia go to Arcane Sanctum to kneel for a bit. That way, Madam Amelia could at least gain a reputation for being dutiful, making it harder for the Warren family to simply throw her out.”

Ivy chimed in, “You know, I’ve seen plenty of people like her. They can endure more than anyone else and swallow every grievance. But once they reach their limit, they can react more violently than anyone would

expect.”

Frederick sighed. “So, since she was just sitting outside the estate, does that mean she’s really at her wit’s end? Ugh, we can’t ignore this. Lady Carissa just started her official duties, and now this happens…. Well, Madam Amelia probably didn’t mean any harm. She must be desperate. Let’s focus on bringing her back first.”

Violet added, “Jacob sent people out to look for her. The Warren family hasn’t reported anything, so that is all we can do for now.” Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

If the Warren family had filed a report, the Royal Citadel, the Capital Guard, and the Garrison Unit could have been mobilized to help search. But as it stood, only the people from Hell Monarch Estate were looking for her. It made Violet wonder if the Warren family had sent anyone out as well.

Before heading to the Capital Guard headquarters, Violet asked Claire to gather any information about

any unusual movements from the people at Valor Estate.

Violet waited at the Capital Guard headquarters until after lunch for Carissa’s return. Thankfully, Carissa’s early morning training at Meadow Ridge under a strict instructor had prepared her for the grueling early court sessions. But still, she realized it had been quite a while since those days, it would take her some time to readjust.

As soon as she spotted Violet, Carissa rushed over and sat beside her, resting her head on her friend’s shoulder as she yawned repeatedly. I’m so tired! Did you come to invite me to lunch? Because I can’t eat a thing–I just want to sleep.”

“Poor thing! You don’t have to keep this job, you know? Morning court sessions are held every day, which means you’ll be waking up early the entire week from now on!” Violet replied.

“Yeah.” Carissa kept her eyes closed. “At least I get one day off after every five.”

“The last time we had a break, we didn’t even get a chance to go out shopping or eat together,” Violet lamented:

After her brief pity party, she shifted the topic to more serious matters, saying, “By the way, you know Amelia from the Warren family? The gatekeeper found her sitting by the stone lion at Northwatch Estate’s entrance this morning. She had clearly been there for quite a while. After the gates were opened, she just walked away, and Frederick couldn’t catch her.”

Carissa opened her eyes. “Amelia? What was she doing sitting outside Northwatch Estate?”

“I have no idea. She probably sat there for a long time, which means she must have arrived before dawn. Oh, and Ivy mentioned that Amelia cried when she went to Arcane Sanctum to buy medicine yesterday. I wonder if she faced some sort of hardship at home,” Violet explained.