Seeing Barrett remain silent, Aurora grew anxious.
+15 BONUS
Ignoring her injuries, she said angrily, “They did hurt me, but they definitely didn’t violate me! I’m telling you the absolute truth. If you don’t believe me, you can ask them yourself!”
Barrett’s expression darkened. “What’s the point in asking? Isn’t it humiliating enough already?”
Aurora felt a chill at his words, and was deeply hurt. “You don’t believe me?”
Barrett smiled sadly.
“Believe you? Have you ever told me a single truth? Every time I asked you about Victory Pass, you always said it was because you spread rumors that the Hell Monarch was heading there as reinforcement. So Liam retreated and went back to sign a treaty with you. You even hid something so important from me. How can I trust you again?”
“I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t like it… Aurora appeared very agitated and almost frantic. “You kept saying you didn’t want to harm the civilians of both kingdoms, but I clearly saw the enemy hiding in the civilians‘ homes. Since we attacked Fawnrun, we had to gain something from it. I only killed some civilians, but how many of our soldiers did the people of Westhaven kill?” Barrett took several deep breaths to calm himself. “What was our purpose in entering Fawnrun?”
“To burn the supply depot,” Aurora answered without hesitation.
“I went to burn the supply depot and left you in charge of reinforcements, but you chased after that young general. Did you ever consider what might happen if Westhaven soldiers arrived while we were burning the supply depot, and you failed to notify me in time?”
“But in reality, I did accomplish something!” Aurora shook her head, feeling a sharp pain in her heart.
She didn’t want to argue anymore.
“Forget it. We have different views. You don’t agree with me, and I don’t agree with you. Continuing this argument will only harm our relationship. Why should we damage our marriage over a few Westhaven civilians? Let’s not discuss it any further, okay?”
Barrett was filled with disappointment. Despite everything he had said, she still regarded the lives of a few Westhaven civilians as insignificant. It was as if they were merely ants in her eyes.
He had nothing more to say.
Before turning to leave, he smiled bitterly and said slowly, “It’s laughable. I abandoned Carissa for you, and I truly regret it.”
Aurora gasped, looking at him in disbelief. “What did you say? You regret it?”
Barrett turned, and walked out slowly. The night outside was illuminated by the campfire, and it was snowing again. But no matter how cold the weather was, it couldn’t compare to the coldness in his
heart.
Meanwhile, Carissa sat in the command tent.
+15 BONUS
Hot coffee was served, along with a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup. The noodles were served without any additional toppings, not even a simple egg.
Yet, it was the best food Carissa had eaten since going to the battlefield, She had never thought chicken noodle soup could taste so good before.
Seeing her enjoy the meal, Rafael couldn’t help but ask, “Is one bowl enough?”
“No. Is there more?” she asked, looking up while eating.
“There isn’t.”
Carissa was speechless at his answer.
If that was the case, wasn’t that a pointless question?
Rafael smiled, watching her with a gaze that seemed to appraise her. With how she was devouring the food, she seemed far from the refined young lady she was supposed to be.
After she finished eating, he informed her that he and Liam had already exchanged letters before the battle.
“His goal was Aurora and the soldiers who participated in the massacre. I knew about this a long time ago. I even tried to arrange for her to stay in the rear, but she insisted on leading the attack herself.
“You’ve certainly done your duty in trying to protect Aurora,” she commented.
“She was too determined to die,” he said, his handsome features tightening.
He handed her a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, then continued, “Aurora has no understanding of her limits. Liam didn’t kill her outright because he thought she would be too ashamed to live. Do you think she’d choose to end her own life?”
Carissa took the handkerchief. The embroidery was crooked and poorly done, but it was clean. It was surprising the marshal would keep such an unattractive handkerchief.
In the military, people didn’t pay much attention to such details. Carissa used the handkerchief to wipe her lips, and said, “It’s hard to say. Given the humiliation she’s endured..
She decided not to mention the more vulgar aspects of what Aurora went through, as she still wanted to enjoy the soup.
“And with so many people having seen her in such a state, it won’t stay hidden in the army. If the army knows, the people in the capital will find out too. It’ll just depend on whether she can endure it.”
