Chapter 24
Barrett was stunned. “But how can I keep her dowry? As a fourth-ranking general and a man, how can I take the dowry of a discarded wife?”
Aurora thought for a moment, then turned to him with a gentle gaze.
“Your mother will need expensive medicine for a long time. Considering our recent efforts and the edict for our marriage, we won’t have any other rewards. Though we’re both fourth-ranking generals, our annual salaries are limited. Even if they all go towards the family fund, it may not be enough. And besides…”
She found it embarrassing to say this but hurried on, “Even if we continue to accumulate military achievements in the future, it won’t happen overnight. Military officials always face challenges. We can’t let your mother’s condition worsen. So, either we return Carissa’s dowry in full or bear the shame of being neglectful towards your mother.”
Barrett hadn’t expected Aurora to say this. He couldn’t quite tell if he felt disappointed or resigned. But upon closer consideration, Aurora had a point. She was also worried about him being burdened with the label of neglecting his mother, which could hinder their future. Thinking of this, he felt a slight warmth in his heart.
“Aurora, don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
Aurora was wholeheartedly supportive of him. He couldn’t let her bear the blame with him.
Upon hearing his words, Aurora didn’t know how to respond further and simply said, “Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
Those words gave Barrett great strength. Unable to contain his emotions, he embraced his lover. “Aurora, I promise you won’t suffer because of me.”
Aurora rested her head on his shoulder, her soft sigh barely audible. Judging by what he said, it seemed like he agreed to keep Carissa’s dowry.
Keeping the dowry wasn’t out of greed. Carissa’s deceitful tactics, especially her threat to a sick old woman by withholding her medicine, demanded some form of retribution. There was an unspoken rule in the world—both kindness and enmity must be repaid. Carissa’s actions warranted teaching her a lesson. After all, those who suffer losses would remember it for a long time.
Early the next morning, the people of Valor Estate began handling the divorce proceedings. Both the Warren and Sinclair families were well-respected, so the divorce couldn’t be settled with the mere signing of a piece of paper. Witnesses were required, and the wrongdoing of the person being divorced had to be confirmed according to the listed criteria. Given the stature of both the Warren and Sinclair families, an event as significant as a divorce couldn’t be handled casually.
There were no longer any male descendants on Hector’s side of the Sinclair family. Over the past few decades, many from his side of the family had either died in battle or passed away young. Hector’s father had three sons, all of whom had died in war, while Hector himself had fathered six sons and one daughter. Though Hector and his sons were all generals who had fallen in the battle to reclaim the Southern Frontier, five of those young generals had already married and had children. Sadly, all of them fell victim to an assassination half a year ago. So now, only Carissa remained of this lineage.
On the other hand, it was a man from the branch descended from Hector’s great-grandfather who now oversaw the affairs of the Sinclair family. Though he was not the family head, he still held a high rank. His name was Theodore, and he was Carissa’s great-granduncle. She respectfully referred to him as Granduncle Theodore. Theodore and his entire family resided in the capital, where they engaged in trade and managed reasonably successful businesses.
When the people at Northwatch Estate were wiped out, it was Theodore who had brought his family members to help settle matters. Since Carissa was being divorced today, the Warren family had invited him over. Already ninety years old, Theodore was accompanied by his grandson, Solomon, who was in his fifties.
When news of the king bestowing a marriage edict for Barrett and Aurora reached the ears of the Sinclair family, some people were angry and felt it was unfair to Carissa. But there were some who found it amusing. After all, the Marquis of Northwatch’s family had been illustrious once upon a time, which made many jealous of its success.
When Theodore arrived with Solomon by his side, the old man was practically trembling with anger. Disregarding Barrett’s newfound status as one of the court’s new favorite generals, he coldly declared, “Such incidents of men taking in concubines are not uncommon throughout history. But marrying a new wife and divorcing the old one is rarely seen. If the Warren family doesn’t give us a proper explanation today, I will take this matter to the king. I may be nearly at death’s door, but I fear nothing. As long as I am alive, no one is allowed to mistreat our family members like this!”