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"Carrisa Sinclair, you're the only woman I'll ever love in my life. I will never take a concubine!"
Carissa Sinclair stared at the hypocritical man before her, his heartfelt promises still echoing in her ears.
At the time of her husband's departure for battle, she used her dowry to support the household and care for her in-laws.
In the end, however, she was met with betrayal; Barrett Warren used his military achievements to request the king's permission to take another legitimate wife, placing her on equal footing with him.
She was the Marquis of Northwatch's daughter, and she herself was also highly skilled in martial arts.
After her family was destroyed, she had no choice but to marry a good husband as her mother had wished, learning to be obedient and manage household affairs to put her mother at ease.
But the man before her was no virtuous partner.
Barrett's handsome face bore a hint of apology, yet his words were resolute, "Carissa, the king has issued a royal edict for this marriage. Aurora will be joining our household. There's no question about it."
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! All her sincere efforts over the past year turned out to be feeding a dog.
"Carissa, 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 curled her lips in a faint smile; beneath her seemingly teary eyes gleamed a sharp, fierce determination, "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?"
Barrett sighed in frustration. "Why put yourself through this? There was a royal edict for this marriage. Even when Aurora moves in, you'll be in separate wings. She won't compete with you for control of the household. She doesn't care about those things."
"Do you really think I'm attached to managing this household?" Carissa countered.
Running this mansion was no easy task. Just the monthly medicine for Barrett's mother cost dozens of silver coins. Then, there was food, clothing, and social obligations—all these things required money.
This household was practically a hollow shell. Over the past year, Carissa had used much of her dowry to keep things running.
And this was her reward.
"Enough, I won't argue with you. I just needed to inform you. Whether you agree or not changes nothing," said Barrett, his patience wearing thin.
Carissa watched him leave in a huff, feeling even more the irony in her heart.
"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."
"Help me get ready; we're going to the royal palace."
"What do we need to go to the royal palace for... Oh! Are you asking the king to revoke the decree?" Lulu asked innocently, tilting her head.
Carissa tapped her on the forehead. "Silly girl, is it worth it for us to continue wasting our youth on someone like that?"
Lulu covered her forehead and exclaimed, "Then why are we going to the palace?"
"Of course, to seek a decree for divorce."
Barrett Warren could leverage his achievements to request a marriage from the king, and she, Carissa Sinclair, could also use the military merits of the Marquis' family of Northwatch to request an edict for an amicable divorce.
Since her husband's heart no longer belongs to her, why should she cling on?
As for the substantial dowry she had given over the years, there's no reason to let this heartless family benefit from it for free.
She will reclaim every single cent.
With clear brows and resolute expression, Carissa Sinclair's gentle face radiated unwavering determination......
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