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.

My husband brought a woman home and would marry her.

My mother-in-law asked me to use my dowry to pay for their wedding.

“No Way!” I refused firmly.

But they said, "Your whole family is dead, no one will help you!"

“Carissa, as a member of our family, it’s your duty to provide the money for your husband’s wedding. You don’t mind, do you?” My mother-in-law looked at me and smiled.

I shook my head slowly and said, "It wouldn't be appropriate for me to pay for this. The household should cover the expenses for the marriage."

Her expression immediately darkened. "Carissa, you're being unreasonable. We're all family. Besides, you are the lone survivor in your family. If anything happens, no one can back you up except us."

Tears finally welled up in my eyes at the mention of my family.

At the age of fourteen, my father and brothers died on the battlefield.

My mother, who had gone blind from crying too much, held me close and said, "You must live like the noble girls in the kingdom. Find a good husband, marry, have children, and lead a peaceful life. You’re the only child I have left.”

Then she chose Barrett because he had sworn he would never take another wife if he married me.

But six months ago, tragedy struck.

All the residents of Northwatch Estate were massacred.

No one was spared, not even the children or servants.

Each victim suffered numerous knife wounds, and their bodies were brutally dismembered.

When I received the news, I rushed home, only to find my grandmother’s and mother’s gruesomely dismembered bodies.

Blood stained every corner of the residence, and the dead were left in agonizing states.

I never thought this tragedy would become the reason for my husband’s family to threaten me! They should have been my biggest support!

Early the next morning, I and Lulu returned to Northwatch Estate.

The estate was bleak and covered in fallen leaves. After just half a year of neglect, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds.

Stepping back into the estate, my heart ached fiercely.

I knelt in the study with my head bowed.

"Rise and speak," he commanded.

I bowed deeply with my hands clasped. "Your Majesty, I know it's presumptuous of me to seek an audience today. But I also wish to implore for your grace."

"I have already issued the edict. It's impossible to revoke it," the king said.

I shook my head gently. "Your Majesty, I implore you to issue another edict. I want to divorce General Warren."

The young king was taken aback. "What? You want a divorce?"

Holding back tears, I pleaded, "Your Majesty, General Warren and General Yates sought the marriage edict with their military achievements.

"Today is the death anniversary of my father and brothers. I wish to seek an edict to divorce my husband based on my late family's military merits. Please, Your Majesty, I'm begging you."

"Carissa, do you know what you'll face after the divorce?" the king asked, a complicated expression on his face.

"I do," I affirmed.

"I'm sure you know the saying that a true gentleman appreciates and helps others to fulfill their aspirations, right? Even though I'm not a gentleman, I don't want to hinder General Warren and General Yates from being together," I added.

"Carissa, there's no one left at Northwatch Estate. Are you really going to go back there? Have you thought about your future?" the king asked.

"I returned to the estate today to visit my family's memorial plaques. Seeing how the estate has fallen into disrepair made me want to live there again. I'll adopt a son for my father's sake, so there will still be someone to honor his memory," I explained.

"You're Barrett's legal wife. Aurora can't undermine your position. You really don't need a divorce."

I looked up with tear-filled eyes that were firm with resolve. "Your Majesty, that's meaningless. I don't want to waste my life like this. I'm the only one left from the Marquis of Northwatch's' family. My father and brothers lived honorably and bravely throughout their lives. I don't want to settle for a life of mediocrity."

"I know you have feelings for Barrett. Are you willing to let go?" the king asked.

Feelings? Not really.

I simply admired military men, and my mother had wanted me to marry and lead a stable life. That was why I had agreed to the marriage.

I smiled. At this moment, I might look like a strong woman who would be able to flourish even in the most challenging circumstances.

"If he can let go of me, then I can let go of him," I declared.

This stunned the king. He stared at me for a long moment.

To the world, divorce still meant abandonment. This was especially true in my situation, as Barrett had publicly sought the marriage edict.

Being a woman was already difficult, and I would have it even harder.

"Alright, I agree. You may leave now. In a few days, the edict of divorce will be sent to the general's residence," the king said.

I breathed a sigh of relief and bowed my head. "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

"Carissa, if anyone mistreats you in the future, come to the palace and see me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" I bowed once again.