Chapter 65
News that Barrett and Aurora were heading to the Southern Frontier stirred both excitement and concern in Rebecca. She knew that going to battle meant both fortune and peril—victory would bring great achievements, while defeat could cost their lives.
After reflecting on it, Rebecca trusted her son and Aurora. After all, Aurora had played a crucial role in the Victory Pass battle. She was capable. As generals, they would only need to command the troops; the soldiers would do the actual fighting. With this thought, Rebecca’s joy overshadowed her worry. She made preparations for their departure.
A few days after Barrett and Aurora left the capital with their troops, the Starhaven spies stationed in Sandoria finally returned with reports. The confidential messages exactly matched the news from Rafael at the Southern Frontier and the information Carissa had provided over half a month ago.
The young and handsome king angrily tore up the reports. Over half a month had been lost! If he had heeded Carissa’s warnings earlier, dispatched reinforcements, and arranged supplies, Starhaven’s chances of success would have been much higher.
Although Aurora claimed she could arrive before the Westhaven forces reached the Southern Frontier, Salvador knew that was impossible given the distance and marching speed. After all, he had once been on the battlefield himself. He couldn’t help but feel deep frustration.
“How could I have thought that Carissa was simply consumed by personal grudges and petty revenge against Barrett? She clearly brought urgent military intelligence, but I didn’t believe her!”
Derek carefully refilled Salvador’s tea and said softly, “It’s also because Lady Sinclair forged a letter from Kyle that led you to doubt her, Your Majesty.”
Salvador shook his head.
“Without the forgery of Kyle’s letter, I wouldn’t have trusted her unsubstantiated claims even more. After all, Starhaven and Westhaven had just signed a non-aggression peace treaty. Since Aurora was the one who secured that agreement, I thought Carissa’s intention was to undermine Aurora’s achievements.”
He smiled bitterly.
“I underestimated her and used a petty mindset to judge someone as noble as her. She’s the Duke of Northwatch’s daughter, and she grew up training in the Pathfinders Guild. How could she be the kind not to easily let things go?”
Derek suddenly recalled something. “Your Majesty, when I went to Valor Estate to deliver your edict, I saw General Barrett and Lady Sinclair sparring. Lady Sinclair’s skills were indeed impressive; General Barrett couldn’t hold up for more than a few moves against her. Of course, I don’t know much about martial arts, so it’s possible General Barrett was holding back.”
Salvador had seen Barrett’s skills himself. Although Barrett wasn’t the best, he was still among the top young generals.
“Barrett must have let her win. Derek, go to Northwatch Estate and bring Lady Sinclair to the palace. With the unpredictable Westhaven forces, I suspect there might be issues with the Victory Pass battle that I’m unaware of.”
Derek went to Northwatch Estate personally. After removing the guards, he informed the servants that the king had summoned Carissa to the palace. As the king had summoned Carissa, the servants at the estate could no longer keep her absence a secret. So, they had no choice but to tell the truth and kneel in apology.
When Derek returned to the palace and reported what had happened, Salvador was shocked.
“Are you telling me that even when I had the royal guards watch her, she still managed to sneak out that night? She went to the Southern Frontier to deliver the message?”
Derek knelt.
“Please calm down, Your Majesty. According to the estate’s steward, she had to go herself because the situation was urgent. She had no other connections in the capital she could rely on except for you. According to one of the senior maids, Lady Sinclair traveled alone on horseback and was expected to reach the Southern Frontier in about five days. She must have reported to the Hell Monarch. After he confirmed the situation, he sent the urgent report back to the capital requesting reinforcements.”
After Derek finished speaking, he glanced at the king secretly before adding, “The steward also said that Lady Sinclair mentioned she would come back to personally apologize to Your Majesty when she returns.”