Chapter 132
News of the successful reclamation of the Southern Frontier triumphantly reached the capital. Salvador was moved to tears upon reading the report. During the morning court session, all civil and military officials knelt and shouted, "Long live the king!" This monumental news spread like wildfire—first to the officials' families, then the entire capital, and soon, the whole country. The nation rejoiced!
A renowned storyteller, well-connected throughout the capital, gathered snippets of information from servants in officials' households and wove them into salable stories. Thus, everyone knew that the primary credit for reclaiming the Southern Frontier belonged to the Hell Monarch, Rafael. However, it was a female general who had consecutively breached Ilyrlan City and Simonton City, leading the Mystic Army to a crushing victory over the Sandorian forces.
The storyteller was adept at creating heroes. His passionate and dramatic retellings depicted this female general as a divine goddess of war, exaggerating the battles to appear more complex than they actually were. The female general, serving under the marshal's command, was portrayed as brave and strategically brilliant, outwitting enemy commanders despite facing great hardships. The more fantastical the story, the more readily the people believed it. In their ordinary lives, people craved exciting tales of heroism. So, whether in coffeehouses, taverns, on the streets, or at family gatherings, everyone discussed this female general.
However, the female general's true identity remained a mystery. But who else could it be? Naturally, it had to be Aurora. She had previously distinguished herself at Victory Pass and, along with Barrett, had led reinforcements to the battlefield, including the Mystic Army. Therefore, the female general leading the Mystic Army to victory was undoubtedly her.
The common people accepted these rumors as truth. Aristocratic families and officials of fifth rank and above, however, did not take the rumors seriously, dismissing them as mere speculation from coffeehouse and tavern patrons. They acknowledged a possible grain of truth, but believed most of it was exaggerated or distorted.
Ironically, the Warren family believed the rumors and celebrated Aurora's supposed achievements. Since Barrett and Aurora had departed for war, Rebecca had abstained from meat and prayed for their success. Now, with their apparent glory, her joy and excitement significantly improved her health.
She immediately ordered preparations for a grand ceremony at Radiance Temple to thank the gods. The Warren family paraded through the streets, carrying livestock and offerings, and celebrating with fireworks. This spectacle further convinced the townspeople that the female general in the stories was indeed Aurora.
Sitting in her carriage, Rebecca watched the cheering crowd, her vanity fully satisfied by their admiration and celebration. After the ceremony, she instructed Amelia to organize a lavish tea party, inviting the families of court officials to cultivate connections. This, she believed, would smooth the path for Barrett and Aurora upon their return to court and the assumption of official positions.
Rebecca believed Barrett and Aurora had again distinguished themselves and would soon become new court favorites, attracting many eager visitors and well-wishers. Therefore, she ordered the tea party to be grand and dignified. She even brought out a fine set of white porcelain tea wares from her dowry to entertain the noblewomen.
The household cooks lacked the skill to prepare the necessary pastries, so they were purchased from Serene Confections, a renowned—though expensive—pastry shop. The large number of guests resulted in a pastry bill exceeding three hundred silver coins. Serene Confections' staff personally delivered and arranged the pastries on exquisite plates.
In addition to pastries, premium caviar was purchased, ensuring each guest received a serving. According to Rebecca's guest list, this alone cost over a thousand silver coins.
Amelia silently lamented. The Warren family's finances were already in deficit, and now this extravagant tea party. Where would the money come from? She had no choice but to pawn the remaining valuable items in the estate, knowing that, at this rate, the estate would soon be emptied.