Carissa glanced at the list. "Alright," she murmured. The list itself cast a melancholy shadow over her. Her mother had provided a substantial dowry, fearing hardship for her in her husband's home.

"My lady, where shall we go? Are we returning to Northwatch Estate, or to Meadow Ridge?" Lulu asked, distressed.

Images of the bloodstained estate and her family's tragic deaths flooded Carissa's mind, piercing her heart with pain.

"Anywhere is better than staying here," Carissa declared.

"Leaving will give them exactly what they want," someone countered.

"So be it," Carissa replied calmly. "If I stay, I'll spend my life watching their affection, suffering. Lulu, I must live well to bring my parents and brothers peace in the afterlife."

Lulu wept bitterly. Born and raised at Northwatch Estate, she had lost everyone in the massacre, the haunting images still vivid. Returning was unthinkable.

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

Carissa's eyes hardened. "There is. I could confront the king, leveraging my family's achievements to force him to revoke his edict. If he refuses, I'll kill myself in protest."

Terror seized Lulu. "My lady, you can't!" she cried.

Carissa's expression softened, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Do you think I'm that foolish? If I reach the king, I'll only request an edict for an amicable divorce." Barrett had married Aurora by royal edict; Carissa deserved the same, not to be cast out. The wealth from Northwatch Estate was more than sufficient for her to live comfortably. She would not degrade herself.

Just then, a voice called from outside, "Madam Carissa, the matriarch requests your presence!"

"It's Jade, Madam Rebecca's maid. Madam Rebecca wishes to speak with you," Lulu whispered.

Carissa straightened, her expression serious. "Then let's go."

The evening sun bled across the sky, the autumn wind biting. The late king had granted the Warren family's current residence, Valor Estate, to Barrett's grandfather. Once prestigious, it had fallen into disrepair. Most Warren men were warriors; few were civil servants. Barrett's father, Jonathan, had a poor official career, and his uncle, Gregory, held only a minor post in the Royal Citadel. Barrett and his elder brother, Benjamin, had achieved some military success, but before their recent victory, they were only fourth-ranked majors. Both families still lived together at Valor Estate; splitting would hasten its decline.

Accompanied by Lulu, Carissa arrived at Rebecca's room. Rebecca appeared improved, sitting up in bed. She smiled warmly at Carissa.

"You're here," she said.

Benjamin, his wife Amelia Morgan, Barrett's sister Serena, the children of the concubines, and Barrett's aunt Charlotte Lewis (whose expression was cold and disdainful) were also present.

"Hello, Mother. Aunt Charlotte, Benjamin, Amelia," Carissa greeted them politely.

"Carissa, come here," Rebecca gestured, indicating the space beside her bed.

The older woman took Carissa's hand affectionately. "Now that Barrett is back, you have someone to rely on. This year has been hard, especially with your family's loss. You're the last of the marquis' family. Fortunately, that's behind you now." Rebecca's words subtly emphasized Carissa's dependence on the Warren family.

Carissa withdrew her hand. "Mother, I heard you met General Yates today."

Rebecca's smile faltered. "Yes, I did. She's rather rough around the edges and not as attractive as you."

Carissa met her mother-in-law's gaze steadily. "So, you disapprove?"