Chapter 968

Aurora pursed her lips. She did have some money saved. No matter who managed the household, her portion was non-negotiable. As for the bride price, she'd kept some for herself—there was no way she would have given it all to the Warrens! The small dowry she'd received wouldn't have been enough to live on, and she would never have agreed to the marriage without some savings.

However, the money she had saved was meant for the future.

"You can take it if you need it, but you must borrow only what's necessary," she said. "After I escape, I'll be alone and without support. I can't be left without money. You can't expect me to wander the streets and starve."

Barrett steered the conversation toward money, knowing it was best to discuss that first. Otherwise, pressing for too much information would seem forceful and arouse Aurora's suspicions.

"How much do you have? I'll look at it, leave you some, and use the rest to hire people. If it's not enough, I'll borrow from Viola," he suggested.

Aurora pondered. She knew relying on Viola for a large sum might not work. Though Viola was from a noble family, she was stingy and frugal.

"I have two to three thousand silver coins, but you can only take one thousand," she said.

Barrett tried to negotiate for two thousand, and they eventually settled on fifteen hundred.

With the money settled, Barrett naturally needed to know Aurora's plan. She had to tell him, or he wouldn't take the risk. This was a matter of his future, maybe even his life. If he didn't feel secure, he couldn't agree.

Aurora watched him for a long moment before asking, "Barrett, you're not trying to sell me out, are you?"

Barrett's thoughts hadn't fully shifted from the bargaining. He wasn't the sharpest, and his emotional responses were often slow. After all the bargaining, it almost seemed like he truly believed he was planning for her.

So, when he heard her question, he looked up in surprise, his tone filled with anger and grievance. "What did you say? If you don't trust me, why would you entrust me with something so important? I'm putting my life and future on the line, and you still doubt me?"

Aurora might have understood Barrett, but the truth was, she didn't understand men. Lying seemed second nature to them, and they had a knack for it.

Chapter 968

Human nature is complex and ever-changing, including her own. When it came to Barrett, she always saw him through a simplistic lens, thinking she had him figured out. Her caution, sensitivity, and suspicion often blinded her to the truth, leaving her unable to see through the man she believed she understood so well.

On top of that, Barrett was her last hope. Deep down, she still believed he had feelings for her.

After a long silence, she said, "Don't worry. Remnants of Eleanor's faction are colluding with a female official at Grand Princess Lisandra's side. She can ensure nothing goes wrong."

Barrett looked at her in shock. "A female official at Grand Princess Lisandra's side? Are you saying Grand Princess Lisandra has joined forces with Eleanor's faction?!"

"No, not Grand Princess Lisandra, but a female official at her side," Aurora said. "When Mrs. Lester came to see me during your mother's funeral, she told me this. She insisted I hold onto Dominic because if he's captured by Westhaven, Victory Pass will fall."

"That doesn't add up," Barrett said thoughtfully. "If they told you Westhaven wants General Sullivan, then even if the Hell Monarch's people try to rescue him, it's unlikely to succeed."

"Naturally," Aurora replied. "Most troops will be focused on guarding Dominic. If the king agrees to Westhaven's request but the Hell Monarch's people try to rescue him, that would be going against military orders and violating the treaty made after the two kingdoms' negotiations."

Her eyes were filled with a chilling certainty, as though she could already foresee Carissa's fate.

"In that case, whether they succeed or fail, the king will punish them."

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "When the chaos hits, you'll have a better chance of saving me. The odds will be much more in your favor."

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