Her Graceful War Song

Rebecca lounged on a luxurious chaise, her eyes like icy daggers.

“Kneel!” she commanded, her voice sharp and cold..

Amelia dropped to her knees without hesitation. In an instant, a slap landed on her cheek, accompanied by a vicious curse.

“Why didn’t you die out there? What are

got some nerve!” Rebecca shrieked. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

you doing back here? Threatening to take your own life? You’ve

Tara tried to intervene, “Madam Rebecca, please calm down! Madam Amelia knows she was wrong. Let’s not make things worse for your health.”

Without a word, Rebecca picked up a cup from the nearby table and hurled it at Amelia’s head.

“Now she knows she’s wrong? When she was causing all this chaos, did she even think about her mistakes? She’s brought disgrace to our family! Get out of my sight! Kneel at the courtyard gate until tomorrow! You don’t stand up until I say so!”

The cup shattered on the floor, Warm liquid mixed with the blood dripping from Amelia’s forehead.

At this sight of the blood. Tara sighed. “Quickly, Madam Amelia, go kneel outside. Don’t let Madam Rebecca see you here.”

Tara meant well, hoping to get Amelia out of the room to prevent further punishment.

Amelia remained silent, rising and walking outside to kheel at the gate of the courtyard.

Rebecca was stunned with anger. “Look at her attitude Just look at her!”

After a few attempts to calm Rebecca down, Tara hurried outside to Amelia with a soft cushion, hoping to make her more comfortable. It was a cold day, so Rebecca wouldn’t come out to check on her.

“What are you waiting for? Come here and tend to Madam Amelia’s wounds,” Tara instructed a maid.

Throughout it all, Amelia didn’t move. She remained like a marionette, allowing them to fuss over her. With her head lowered, her eyes were dull, feeling neither cold nor pain.

“Stay kneeling for now, Madam Amelia,” Tara said gently. “After dinner, I’ll plead your case with Madam Rebecca, so you can go back and rest.”

Noticing Amelia’s silence and understanding her distress, Tara observed something about her clothes. The fabric was decent, but not new. It struck Tara then that ever since Carissa left the Warren family, Amelia hadn’t bought any new clothes for herself and only wore old ones.

“It will all get better,” Tara said with a sigh before rising to head inside and tend to other matters.

harlotte had learned of Amelia’s bridge incident the night before, and had cried the entire night

When she got out of bed that morning, her head was heavy, causing her to nearly fall. A maid rushed over to support her back to bed and called for a physician, who diagnosed Charlotte with a chill and said her sadness had strained her liver. She needed to rest properly.

Throughout the day, Charlotte asked several times if Amelia had returned. The maid confirmed that she

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had but didn’t dare tell the whole truth, simply saying she was unwell and was resting.

Charlotte sighed. “The river water is so cold. How could she not get sick? Such foolishness! How could she be so reckless? If Carissa hadn’t gone after her, she might have died!”

Her voice was heavy with congestion and her nose was blocked, making it hard to breathe. The servants prepared some hot water to help clear her sinuses.

“Let her rest. Once I feel better tomorrow, I’ll go see her, Charlotte said, lying back down.

After the steam cleared her nose, her mind felt less foggy. Yet, she couldn’t shake a lingering unease. Thoughts of what happened last night sent shivers down her spine.

When Gregory returned, Charlotte grasped her husband’s hand, her tone serious as she spoke, “Even though we don’t usually involve ourselves in the first branch of the family’s affairs, someone nearly died this time. As his uncle, you should speak to Benjamin and remind him to treat his wife better. He shouldn’t keep throwing her at his mom’s mercy.”

Gregory valued his wife’s opinions. After dinner, he made a trip over to talk to Benjamin. The men typically discussed matters in the outer courtyard, so he was unaware that Amelia was kneeling in Rebecca’s courtyard.

Benjamin assured his uncle that once his mom calmed down, he would treat his wife well.

Gregory wasn’t satisfied with that answer. “Your devotion to your parents is commendable, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of right and wrong. What do you mean you’ll treat your wife better after your mom calms down? Why can’t you treat her well now?”

Benjamin smiled bitterly. “I know I was wrong, but you also understand how important reputation is in court. If word about my devotion gets out and reaches the king’s ears, my prospects for promotion will be bright.

Gregory furrowed his brow. “Stop thinking of these twisted ideas. What does your dad say?”

“My dad doesn’t interfere. As long as the household is peaceful, he is content,” Benjamin replied. Since his brother wasn’t taking action, Gregory felt he was meddling.

Still, he couldn’t help adding, “Since you’re a husband, you must take responsibility for your wife.”