At Grace Mansion, the lanterns in the corridors cast intricate shadows on the window frames, resembling beasts looming on the walls. Carissa Sinclair sat on a chair, her hands folded in her lap, her slender body hidden beneath plain clothes. She looked at the man before her—her husband, whom she had waited for a year.

Barrett Warren, still wearing his slightly worn battle armor, stood under the dim light, looking commanding and handsome. His face showed a mix of determination and regret.

"Carissa," Barrett said, "the king has issued a royal edict. Aurora will be joining our household. There's no question about it."

Carissa's eyes clouded with confusion. "The queen dowager calls General Yates a model for all women in the kingdom. Would she willingly be a concubine?"

Barrett's eyes flashed with annoyance. "No, she won't be a concubine. She'll be my legal wife, your equal."

"Calling her that doesn't change anything," Carissa replied indifferently. "Ultimately, she's a concubine in disguise."

Barrett frowned. "What does it matter? Aurora and I developed feelings on the battlefield. We earned this marriage through our achievements. I don't need your approval."

Carissa smiled mockingly. "Developed feelings, huh? Do you remember what you said to me before you left for war?"

On their wedding night, a year ago, Barrett had left to lead reinforcements. Before leaving, he had lifted her veil and promised, "Carissa Sinclair, you're the only woman I'll ever love. 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 wife until I met Aurora." (Rory changed to Aurora for consistency)

His eyes softened, filled with deep affection as he spoke of the woman he loved. He turned back to Carissa. "She's unlike any woman I've ever met. I love her deeply. I hope you'll agree to this."

A lump formed in Carissa's throat. Despite feeling disgust and unwillingness, she 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 recently."

They agreed? Carissa thought. How ironic! Everything she had done this past year had been for nothing.

"Is she currently in the mansion?" Carissa asked, raising an eyebrow.

Barrett spoke of Aurora Yates softly. "Yes, she's talking to my mother. She's made her very happy. Even her health seems to be improving."

"Improving?" Carissa felt a whirlwind of emotions. "When you went to war, your mother was seriously ill. I hired the best physician. I managed the estate's affairs by day and stayed up nights at her bedside. Her improvement was because of me."

Carissa wasn't seeking praise; she was stating facts.

"But seeing Aurora has made my mother feel even better," Barrett said earnestly. "I know this is unfair, but for the greater good, please support Aurora and me."

Carissa pressed her lips together, blinking back tears, her gaze sharpening. "Invite General Yates. I have a few things to ask her."

"There's no need," Barrett refused instantly. "Carissa, she's different. She's a general, above household squabbles. She wouldn't want to meet you."

Carissa retorted, "What kind of women do I know? What kind of woman am I to you? Have you forgotten? I'm the daughter of a noble family. My father and six brothers died on the Southern Frontier three years ago—"

"That's all in the past," Barrett interrupted. "But you're a delicate woman suited for 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?"

The striking beauty mark under Carissa's eye was more evident in the light.

She said calmly, "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. 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 the mansion was difficult. Just Barrett's mother's monthly medicine cost dozens of silver coins. Then there was food, clothing, and social obligations—all requiring money. The household was practically bankrupt. Carissa had used much of her dowry to keep it running. And this was her reward.

"Enough," Barrett said, his patience exhausted. "I won't argue. I informed you. Your agreement changes nothing."

As Carissa watched him leave angrily, she felt bitter.

"My lady, my lord was terrible!" Lulu, Carissa's maid, cried.

"Don't call him that!" Carissa said sternly. "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 forehead. "Silly girl, why would we stay in this house any longer?"

Lulu gasped. "But your mother arranged this marriage, and your father wanted you to marry and have children."

Tears welled up in Carissa's eyes at the mention of her parents. Her father had been loyal to her mother, never taking a concubine. They had six sons and one daughter. All her brothers had followed her father to the battlefield. Three years ago, none returned from the Southern Frontier.

Though a girl, Carissa came from a family of warriors and had trained as a child. At seven, she was sent to study under a master, learning military strategy. At fifteen, she learned of her father and brothers' deaths a year earlier.

Her blind mother, weeping constantly, had held Carissa close, saying, "You must live like the noble girls in the kingdom. Find a good husband, marry, have children, and lead a peaceful life. You're the only child I have left."

Carissa felt a profound, gut-wrenching pain. Determined to please her mother, she spent a year mastering the traditional values and duties of a noblewoman. She also learned accounting and household management.

Carissa, the Marquis of Northwatch's daughter, was known for her beauty. Suitors flooded their doorstep. Her mother chose Barrett because he swore he would never take another wife.

Six months ago, tragedy struck. All residents of Northwatch Estate were massacred—children and servants included. Each victim suffered numerous knife wounds; their bodies were brutally dismembered. Carissa's youngest nephew, born after her third brother's death, was only two and a half.

Authorities captured assailants, later identified as spies from Westhaven. The massacre suggested personal vengeance, not mere espionage.

Upon receiving the news, Carissa rushed home to find her grandmother and mother's gruesomely dismembered bodies. Blood stained every corner.

Carissa was the lone survivor. Restoring her family's glory seemed impossible to outsiders, who saw her as delicate and fragile. Aurora, however, was different. She had earned military merit, becoming the first female general. Even the queen dowager praised her. With Aurora's support, Barrett's future would be more secure; that's why the Warren family readily agreed to the marriage.