Her Graceful War Song

One year after marriage, my husband brought a woman home.

They slept on my bed, while I stood outside.

He then publicly announced that he would marry her, which humiliated me in front of everyone.

I disagreed, but he said, "Your whole family is dead, no one will help you!"

I sat on a chair and wathed the man who I had spent a year waiting for.

My husband, Barrett Warren, firmly said, “the king has issued a royal edict for this marriag, There's no question about it.”

My eyes clouded with confusion. "The queen dowager has said that General Yates is a model for all women in the kingdom. Would she be willing to be a concubine?"

Barrett's eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance. "No, she won’t be a concubine. She’ll be my legal wife and equal to you."

I sneered, "Calling her that doesn't change anything. Ultimately, she’s really just a concubine."

Barrett frowned. "What does it matter? We earned this marriage through our achievements on the battlefield. I don’t need your approval."

I smiled mockingly. "Developed feelings? Do you remember what you said to me before you left for war?"

“You said I’m the love of your life, and you’ll never take a concubine!”

Barrett turned away. "Forget it. I didn’t understand love at that time. I just thought you were a suitable match for a wife."

He added, "Aurora is unlike any woman I’ve ever met. I love her deeply."

I suppressed disgust and reluctance, asked, "Do your parents agree?"

"Of course. It was a royal edict."

They agreed? How ironic! Everything I had done over the past year had all been for nothing.

"Is she currently in the mansion?" I asked, lifting my brow.

Barrett spoke of Aurora softly, "Yes, she’s talking to my mother. She’s made her very happy. Even her health seems to be improving."

"Improving? When you went to war, your mother was seriously ill. I brought in the best physician to treat her and take care of her day and night. This is the reason that her condition started to improve."

I wasn’t seeking praise. I was stating the facts of my exhausting year.

I blinked away the tears in my eyese. "Invite General Yates over. I have a few things to ask her."

"There's no need for that. Carissa, she’s different from any woman you know. She’s a general, and she's above the usual household squabbles. She wouldn’t want to meet you," Barrett refused instantly.

I retorted, "What kind of women do I know? What kind of woman am I to you? Have you forgotten? I'm also the daughter of a noble family. My father and my six brothers died on the Southern Frontier three years ago!"

"That’s them, but you’re just a delicate housewife." Barrett interrupted. "Aurora has no respect for women like you. If she meets you, she might say things you won’t like. Why put yourself through that?"

I calmly said, "It’s fine. If she says anything unpleasant, I’ll ignore it. Don't you trust me?"

Barrett sighed in frustration."Even when Aurora moves in, she won’t compete with you for the household power.”

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

Running this mansion was no easy task. Over the past year, I had used much of my dowry to keep things running.

And this was I reward.

“Enough. I informed you. Whether you agree or not changes nothing,” Barrett said and left in a huff.

“Go fetch my dowry list.” I asked my maid, Lulu.

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

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

I looked at the list and fell into grief.

Mom had given me such a substantial dowry, fearing I would suffer hardships in my husband’s family.

"My lady, where can we go?" Lulu asked, looking distressed.

My heart suddenly ached, "Anywhere is better than staying here."

"If you leave, you’ll be giving them exactly what they want."

"So be it. If I stay, I’ll spend my whole life suffering as I watch those two be affectionate. Lulu, I must live well to give my parents and brothers peace in the afterlife," I replied calmly.

"Is there no other way?" Lulu asked desperately.

My eyes grew cold. "There is. I could confront the king and use my family’s achievements to force him to reverse his edict. If he refuses, I’ll kill myself in protest."

Lulu was terrified and immediately protested, "My lady, you can't!"

My expression softened, "Do you think I’m that foolish? If I manage to reach the king, I’ll only request an edict for an amicable divorce."

Barrett was able to marry Aurora because of a royal edict.

So, I should also be issued an official edict to leave. I shouldn't have to sneak away like I was being cast out.