Her Graceful War Song

Inside Northwatch Estate, Carissa held her mother's hand tightly and wouldn't let go. Even as Melanie scolded her daughter for being stubborn, she only smiled and cried without saying a word in reply.

Seeing her behavior, Melanie grew worried.

"Are you ill?" she asked, touching Carissa's forehead.

She turned to one of the servants and instructed, "Go quickly and fetch Sebastian."

Carissa's sisters-in-law gathered around, each one speaking with concern.

The servant soon brought Sebastian. When Carissa saw him, she couldn't help but cry again. She still remembered how deeply saddened she had been when the physician passed away, and how she had taken care of his funeral herself.

Now, she knew she wasn't in a dream. She had truly come back to life-back to a time before she married Barrett. Thinking about the many things she could change this time made her laugh and cry all at once.

Melanie and the other ladies thought Carissa might have lost her mind.

After examining her, Sebastian said, "Perhaps she hasn't accepted the fact that the Marquis of Northwatch and his sons have passed away, so her mind is confused for now. Since she doesn't want to marry, I think it's best to follow her wishes and not force her. This will prevent her condition from getting worse."

Melanie held Carissa close, tears rolling down her cheeks. The older woman knew her health was poor; she couldn't say how much longer she had to live. She only wished to find Carissa a good match soon, so she might rest assured knowing that her daughter would be taken care of.

But with Carissa's condition, it would be wrong to marry her off hastily. Besides, the girl herself kept saying she wouldn't marry, so Melanie agreed.

During the time Carissa spent "recovering", she lived as if in a sweet dream. She stayed by her mother's side every day, looked after her nephews and nieces, and talked with her sisters-in-law. Only then did she feel happiness.noveldrama

Though her father and brothers were gone, they had died bravely for their kingdom. However, the fall of the Sinclair family was different. If Carissa had not gotten married and left home all those years ago, her family might not have been annihilated.

That pain and regret had never left her heart. This time, she decided that no matter what, she would stay by their side and avoid the disaster that had once come to pass.

She planned to form a group of strong bodyguards. Finding bodyguards was easy enough, but finding ones skilled in fighting was not. Still, she could write to Adrian and ask him to help find some. In the martial arts world, some guilds that fell on hard times were willing to sell their skills to noble families, as long as the price was right.

After about a month, the team of bodyguards was put together. Anyone who came with a letter from Adrian had already been carefully chosen. Their character and

skills were all checked and approved before they were sent here.

The last to arrive was Travis. He didn't even carry a weapon, just a simple stick at his waist.

Carissa stared at him for a long while. So, this was what Travis looked like when he was young. Though he had served at Hell Monarch Estate all his life, from his youth to old age, she had long forgotten what he looked like when he was young.

Travis touched his cheek and chuckled. "Is my face dirty?"

"No." Carissa snapped out of her thoughts, then smiled and looked him over. "It's just your clothes don't fit anymore."

The Lunar Guild had lived through hard times, and the clothes of the apprentices were always patched, and mended. The set Travis wore now was no different, covered in patches. Back on the mountain, his garments had been clean. But after days of travel, it was only natural that dust had settled on them.

"My mentor says I've grown too fast and plans to make me new clothes next year," Travis said with a happy smile, his eyes full of eager hope for the new set.

"I'll ask Lily to make you a few sets," Carissa offered with a smile.

Travis snorted. "A few sets? That would cost too much money. One set is enough. I even brought a spare."

In the past life, Travis was always frugal, careful with clothes and food. Violet said he grew stingier as he got older.

"But wait... If I wear patched clothes, won't I embarrass you and the marquis' family? Then, make me two sets," he said after a moment of thought.

Carissa took his arm and led him to the small garden. "You won't be guarding the estate. You'll come with me to Victory Pass."