Chapter 136

Carissa, stationed far away at the Southern Frontier, remained unaware of the events unfolding in the capital. The war was long over, but a full troop withdrawal remained impossible. The severe cold hampered marching, and much of the Southern Frontier lay in ruins after years of conflict, requiring soldiers to aid in the reconstruction.

Since the war's end, rumors of Aurora's capture and disgrace had spread throughout the army. Despite her denials, many soldiers had witnessed her condition that day in the wooden hut. The truth could not be hidden.

Aurora had sought testimony from Zeke and others, but their ordeal of brutal beatings and mutilation left them unable to definitively state whether she had been violated or not. Furthermore, Zeke, furious with his cousin, refused to speak to her. Other soldiers, once grateful for Aurora's rewards, now harbored hatred due to their shared capture and suffering.

Remarkably resilient, Aurora remained undeterred by judgment. Once her injuries healed, she returned to her duties with admirable mental fortitude. Liam had expected suicide; he had underestimated Aurora's strength. He would have been furious to know she hadn't killed herself—after all, their crown prince had committed suicide in disgrace, while Aurora shamelessly lived on.

Gossip persisted, often voiced in her presence. Initially, Aurora defended herself, insisting on her purity and focusing on the beatings and disfigurement. However, exhausted by futile attempts and Barrett's continued coldness, she ceased her explanations.

Instead, she mockingly confronted Carissa: "I heard you reached the mountain base but didn't rescue me. You hoped I'd die. You're truly cruel. Do you think I'll kill myself? I won't. I'll live better than any of you. If you want me dead, it won't be easy."

Carissa smiled faintly. "You're mistaken. Killing you would be quite easy. I could drag you up the mountain at night, throw you from the cliff, and let wild dogs devour your remains, leaving only bones."

Aurora's expression changed.

Carissa continued coldly, "Or perhaps, I could slip poison into your coffee. I could make you wish for death but be unable to obtain it."

Aurora lunged at her. "You would dare?!"

Carissa caught her wrist, threw her to the ground, and sneered, "I remember your arrogance when you first spoke to me. Where is that now?"

Infuriated and red-faced, Aurora was helpless against Carissa.

"Focus on recovery," Carissa sneered. "Your military punishment awaits."

Aurora rose, her eyes cold and defiant. "Do you think I'm afraid? Carissa, even if you achieve great things, I still defeated you. I'm Barrett's wife now, not you."

Her pride returned, as if mentioning Barrett would pain Carissa. But Carissa only scoffed, sarcastically saying, "Congratulations."

This instantly shattered Aurora's composure.

"You're jealous; you just refuse to admit it."

"Yes, of course," Carissa said mockingly. "I'm so jealous you've become Mrs. Warren, mistress of Valor Estate, and you'll spend sleepless nights attending to that troublesome old woman."

Carissa laughed and walked away.

Meanwhile, Carissa worked with Violet and others to rebuild the Southern Frontier. The exhausting days gradually helped her suppress her heartache. She occasionally shared drinks with Rafael and others, discussing the future of the Southern Frontier.

Rafael was no longer the scruffy figure he once was. Quite handsome, he lived up to his former title as Starhaven's most attractive man.