She even defied Rebecca, the family matriarch!

“She’ll come around. She has no other choice,” Rebecca said coldly.

That was true. With Carissa’s family gone, she had no one to rely on but the Warrens. Besides, she was still Barrett’s rightful wife, and she hadn’t been mistreated.

Early the next morning, Carissa and Lulu returned to Northwatch Estate. The estate was bleak, covered in fallen leaves. After only six months of neglect, weeds taller than a person overgrew the courtyard. Stepping back onto the estate, Carissa’s heart ached fiercely.

Six months earlier, she had collapsed upon hearing of her family’s massacre. She had wept at the sight of her grandmother and mother’s lifeless, cold bodies. Blood stained every corner of the estate.

Memorial plaques for her ancestors and mother had been placed in the estate’s family chapel. Carissa and Lulu laid flowers on the plaques, their tears flowing ceaselessly. Carissa knelt before her parents’ memorials. Though her eyes were swollen from crying, her gaze was determined.

“Dad, Mom, if you can hear me, please forgive your daughter for what she is about to do. It’s not that I don’t want a peaceful life with a husband and children, but I cannot trust Barrett with my life. Rest assured, Lulu and I will live well.”

Lulu knelt beside her, sobbing uncontrollably.

Afterwards, they boarded a carriage for the palace, arriving by noon.

Under the scorching autumn sun, Carissa and Lulu stood like statues before the palace gates. They waited an hour, but no one came.

Lulu was distressed. “My lady, the king may not see you. He might think you’re here to oppose his marriage edict. You haven’t eaten since last night. Are you alright? Should I get you something?”

“I’m not hungry.” Carissa felt only her unwavering resolve to dissolve her marriage and return home.

“Please don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s not worth getting sick over. Let it go. You’re still the rightful wife and lady of the Warren family. Even if General Yates becomes his legal wife, she’ll be a glorified concubine at best. Maybe we should just endure it?” Lulu pleaded.

Carissa’s gaze was cold. “Lulu, if you’re going to speak like that, don’t speak at all.”

Lulu sighed, feeling lost. She had hoped Barrett’s return would bring Carissa peace, but the situation had worsened.

In the palace study, Derek Walker had already reported Carissa’s arrival to the king three times.

“Your Majesty, Mrs. Warren is still waiting outside the palace gates,” he repeated.

King Salvador Quinton set aside his document and rubbed his temples. “I can’t see her. The edict has been issued, and I can’t retract it. Tell her to go home.”

“The guards tried to persuade her, but she refused to leave. She’s been standing there for over an hour.”

Salvador felt a pang of guilt. “Barrett requested the marriage as a reward for his military service. I didn’t want to agree, but refusing would embarrass both him and General Yates. They’ve made significant contributions.”

“Considering military achievements, the Marquis of Northwatch and General Sullivan’s contributions surpass all others,” Derek countered.

Salvador remembered the Marquis of Northwatch, Hector Sinclair, who had mentored him when he was a crown prince. He remembered Carissa from those days—a delicate child with fair skin and endearing looks.

Salvador’s path to the throne had been bloody. He understood the struggles of military officers. When Barrett requested the marriage, he had hesitated but ultimately agreed. Aside from his brother, known as the Hell Monarch, the kingdom lacked capable generals. In the recent war with Westhaven, Dominic Sullivan’s third son had lost an arm, and his seventh son had been killed (though this was kept secret).

But Derek was right. Barrett and Aurora were far inferior to Hector in terms of military merit.

“Alright, let her in. If she agrees to this marriage, I’ll grant her anything she wants. A noble title, an official rank—whatever,” said Salvador.

Derek breathed a sigh of relief. “As always, Your Majesty, you are wise!”