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"Carissa, the king has issued a decree allowing Aurora to marry into our general's house. I hope you can accept and respect this fact."
The person who said this is Carissa Sinclair's husband, Barrett Warren. A year ago, on the night of their wedding, Barrett set out to lead his army into battle. Now, after finally returning victorious, he brings Carissa this kind of "good news."
Carissa's eyes clouded with confusion. "The queen dowager has said that General Yates is a model for all women in the kingdom. Would she be willing to be a concubine?"
Barrett's eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance. "No, she won't be a concubine. She'll be my legal wife and equal to you."
Carissa smiled mockingly. "Equal to me, huh? Do you remember what you said to me before you left for war?"
On the wedding night a year ago, he personally lifted Carissa's veil and promised affectionately: "Carrisa Sinclair, you're the only woman I'll ever love in my life. I will never take a concubine!"
Feeling awkward, Barrett turned away. "Forget what I said. When I married you, I didn't understand love. I thought you were a suitable match for a wife until I met Rory."
Talking about the woman he loved, his eyes softened and filled with deep affection. He turned back to Carissa and added, "She's unlike any woman I've ever met. I love her deeply. I hope you'll agree to this."
Carissa felt a lump in her throat.
Despite feeling a mix of disgust and unwillingness, she still asked, "What about your parents? Do they agree?"
"They do. It was a royal edict. Besides, Aurora is straightforward, cheerful, and lovable. She visited my mother a while ago."
They agreed? Hah... How ironic!
When Barrett left, the general's mansion had already fallen into decline. All the expenses were supported by the dowry Carissa had brought.
Barrett's mother, Rebecca, was suffering from a strange illness, and she had invited a reclusive divine doctor to treat her.
Each month, dozens of silver coins were spent on exorbitant medical fees, not to mention Carissa's constant care by Rebecca's bedside.
In the end, she got such a reward.
So, the kindness that this family shows is merely because they are relying on Carissa's dowry.
If Barrett's betrayal was like a sharp sword, then Rebecca's hypocrisy was like thousands of silver needles, piercing deeply into Carissa's heart.
Carissa pressed her lips into a thin line as she blinked away the tears in her eyes and sharpened her gaze. "Invite General Yates over. I have a few things to ask her."
"There's no need for that. Carissa, she's different from any woman you know. She's a general, and she's above the usual household squabbles. She wouldn't want to meet you," Barrett refused instantly.
Carissa retorted, "What kind of women do I know? What kind of woman am I to you? Have you forgotten? I'm also the daughter of a noble family. My father and my six brothers died on the Southern Frontier three years ago-"
"That's them," Barrett interrupted. "But you're a delicate woman suited for the comforts of home. Aurora has no respect for such women. She's straightforward and unrestrained. If she meets you, she might say things you won't like. Why put yourself through that?"
As Carissa looked up, the striking beauty mark under the corner of her eye became more evident in the light.
She calmly said, "It's fine. If she says anything unpleasant, I'll ignore it. Understanding the bigger picture and acting with dignity are essential virtues for any matriarch. Don't you trust me?"
"Never mind. I don't want to argue with you. I just needed to inform you. Whether you agree or not changes nothing,"said Barrett, his patience wearing thin.
As Carissa watched him leave in a huff, she felt even more bitter.
"My lady, my lord was too much!" said Lulu, Carissa's maid, wiping her tears away.
"Don't call him that!" Carissa gave her a stern look. "We never consummated the marriage. He's not your lord. Go fetch my dowry list."
"Why the dowry list?" Lulu asked, puzzled.
Carissa tapped her on the forehead. "Silly girl, why would we stay in this house any longer?"
Lulu held her forehead and gasped. "But your mother arranged this marriage, and your father wanted you to marry and have children."
Tears finally welled up in Carissa's eyes at the mention of her parents.
Carissa actually came from a family of warriors, and she had been training in martial arts since she was young, showing great talent. However, when she was 15, her father and several brothers died on the battlefield. Since then, her usually open-minded mother advised Carissa to hide her skills and, like other noble girls, find a husband to live a stable life.
But now it seems she has betrayed her mother's expectations.
Lulu brought over the dowry list and explained, "This year alone, you've spent over six thousand silver coins to support the household. However, the shops, houses, and estates remain untouched. All the bank savings, along with the property deeds and land titles your mother left, are locked up in the chest."
Carissa glanced at the list, narrowed her eyes, and sneered, "No wonder they covet my dowry so much." The dowry her mother provided was quite substantial; she hadn't paid much attention to it before. Now she realized how much effort her mother had put in for her.
"Then, my lady, what shall we do now?"
Carissa's eyes grew cold. "I could confront the king and use my family's achievements to force him to reverse his edict. If he refuses, I'll kill myself in protest."
Lulu was terrified and immediately protested, "My lady, you can't!"
Carissa's expression softened, and a sly smile appeared on her face. "Do you think I'm that foolish? If I manage to reach the king, I'll only request an edict for an amicable divorce."
Barrett was able to marry Aurora because of a royal edict. So, Carissa should also be issued an official edict to leave. She shouldn't have to sneak away like she was being cast out.
In addition, the law states that if a woman is divorced, her husband has the right to keep all her dowry.
Right now, Barrett doesn't dare to divorce her, mindful of his reputation, but who knows what will happen in the future?
Carissa no longer wanted to believe in this hypocritical man, nor did she want to live under the same roof with him.
She once hoped to build a life with Barrett, so naturally she would not be stingy with her dowry.
However, circumstances had changed.
She intended to leave the general's residence with dignity and take every last coin of her dowry back home!
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