Her Graceful War Song

I looked up to see Lucien Claude standing there. Without a word, he stepped

quickly between Samuel and me. With his back to me, I couldn't see his

expression.

However, his voice was firm and sharp when he instructed, "Step back."

Samuel clearly hadn't expected that.

He stumbled back and eyed Lucien coldly. "Who are you? I'm here for my wife. What business is it of yours?"noveldrama

Samuel calling me his wife made my stomach turn. The past rushed back all at once, filling me with bitterness and anger.

"I have no husband. I am no one's wife. Mind your words, or you'll ruin my reputation," I said coldly.

Samuel hurried to speak: "Leona, I know I was wrong. Punish me, scold me, whatever you like, but we—"

"You are not husband and wife," Lucien cut him off, having clearly seen my position on the matter.

He waved a hand toward the end of the lane. "Guards, come and see the young lord of the Earl of Gracehold's family back to his home."

At once, two men stepped forward and took Samuel by each arm.

Samuel grew agitated and shouted, "Who do you think you are?! I'm here to see my wife! This has nothing to do with you!"

"Who I am is no concern of yours," Lucien replied coolly. "Take him away!"

At his command, the men dragged Samuel off. To keep him from shouting, they stuffed a cloth into his mouth before hauling him to the carriage waiting just beyond the alley.

Once he was gone, Lucien turned back. He stepped back a few paces, gave a proper bow, and politely said, "Your Grace, forgive me for overstepping."

I dipped into a slight curtsey in return. "Were you merely passing by, Mr. Claude?"

"I was, yes," he confirmed, his expression sincere.

My mood already shaken from Samuel's appearance, I had no desire to press further.

I simply replied, "Thank you."

"You would be safer with a few maids accompanying you. There are always some who can't let things go," Lucien suggested.

These past few years, I often stayed overnight at the workshop, sometimes joining the young ladies in embroidery. Occasionally, when I returned home, I took a carriage without any maids or servants, only the coachman. Just now, the coachman had waited outside, and I sent him to buy a few things. Since I had already reached the estate gate,

I didn't think it mattered.

I hadn't expected Samuel to be waiting here.

"Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Claude," I said quietly, then turned and walked into the estate.

I didn't hear footsteps leaving behind me, so I turned and saw him still standing where I had left him, looking in my direction. Perhaps he hadn't expected me to turn back so suddenly, for his face flushed red before he quickly looked away. He gave a stiff bow, then turned and walked off in haste.

I found it rather strange. Why had he blushed?

When Cari heard that Samuel had come to see me, she went to Gracehold Estate herself.

According to Lulu, Samuel had knelt before Cari that day, weeping and full of regret. He said he finally understood how good I had been to him, and now wished to get back gether and be a married couple ore. He begged my cousin to help persuade me.

He even swore a dreadful oath in front of her, saying that if he ever dared to wrong me again, may he be struck by lightning and die a miserable death.

He echoed the old saying: "To realize one's mistake and correct it is the greatest virtue."

He had paid the price for his wrongs—exiled for years, enduring hardship. Now that he had repented, he ought to be forgiven.

Cari didn't waste time lecturing him. She simply looked him in the eye as she confronted him in front of the Earl of Gracehold's family.

"Whether you know your faults or not is your own concern. But if you dare show your face in front of Leona again, I'll break your legs myself," she said.

Samuel tried to argue, saying Cari had no right to decide for me, and that the reason I hadn't remarried all these years was because I was still waiting for him.

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Then, with no small amount of pride, he added, "Leona fell in love with me at first sight. She loved me deeply Now that I've come back, she's naturally overjoyed. She's just pretending to be proud, and m willing to apologize and give her that. Whatever quarrel we've had, it's between husband and wife. What business is it of yours? Though

you're the regent's princess consort, you're an outsider-"

Lulu said he didn't manage to finish that sentence, because Cari lashed out with her whip right then and there. The blow sent him to the ground, howling and wailing like a child. People from the Earl of Gracehold's household rushed out to beg for mercy, promising they would watch him closely and keep him from causing more trouble.

Cari shot a sharp glare in his direction and scoffed. "It seems that exile didn't teach you a single lesson. One strike and you're howling like you're dying. Good. Go ahead and keep causing trouble-see if I don't handle you myself."

She even gave her whip another flick, and Samuel fainted on the spot from sheer fright.

When I heard all this, I couldn't help but laugh, and yet, I also felt he was rather pitiful. After all these years of exile, it seemed he hadn't suffered much at all. The Earl of Gracehold's family likely couldn't bear to see him truly endure hardship. It wouldn't surprise me if they had sent money in secret to ensure he was well taken care of.