Melody of Strength 496
Rafael left the city that night, taking Dylan and Jacob with him. At the same time, a carrier pigeon flew back to the Pathfinders Guild, carrying a letter requesting help from Everett.
After Rafael left, Violet pulled Carissa into the next room to sleep together, under the excuse that she was worried Carissa would feel lonely after getting used to having someone beside her.
Carissa knocked on her head. “I’m not lonely at all. You’re just bored, aren’t you? Why don’t you go play with Rod?”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
“I’m not going to him. He’s all high and mighty now ever since becoming a drill instructor for the household soldiers. He walks around like a peacock,” Violet said, lying on the bed with her chin propped up on her hands.
“And I’m not bored or lonely. I just wanted to chat with you. In a couple of days, we’ll have something fun to watch–Serena’s going to be taken into the Marquis of Ironridge’s family as a concubine.”
Carissa folded her arms behind her head. “I know, but I’ve been thinking about something else lately.”
“What are you thinking about? Wondering if Jessica will die of anger?” Violet turned her head, grinning mischievously.
“No. Why are you so focused on their family drama?”
“It’s not just theirs. I’m also keeping an eye on the Earl of Gracehold’s family,” Violet said, kicking her legs up playfully. “Samuel and Ruby were living the good life a few days ago. I wonder if they’ll cry themselves. to death after Samuel gets stripped of his heir status.
Carissa smiled faintly. “Who knows?”
“Cari, you don’t smile as cheerfully as you used to,” Violet said, poking her finger between Carissa’s brows “You should lighten up! There’s gossip to follow, jokes to laugh at, and unfortunate people to kick when they’re down.”
Carissa turned to look at her. “Let me ask you something. Imagine this: during the war, you were already married and presumed dead after a battle. But in reality, you were captured. When you finally came back, you discovered that your husband had remarried. How would you feel–heartbroken or angry?”
Violet thought for a moment. “I can’t put myself in that situation. I don’t have a husband. You do, though. Why don’t you imagine it for yourself? You’ll understand how it feels.”
Carissa’s voice turned soft and distant. “I’ve already thought about it. If Rafael thought I died in battle and remarried after a few years, I would be heartbroken, but I think I could understand. After all, no one can wait for someone forever. It’s too much to ask.”
“Is this what’s been bothering you? No wonder you’ve looked so down,” Violet said, rolling over onto her back before turning to look at Carissa again. “Why are you even thinking about this? Are you just torturing yourself, or is something actually going on?”
“I’m not sure, but I can tell you about it. You know how to keep a secret,” Carissa replied.
She then told Violet her suspicions about Septimus possibly being Thomas. After finishing, she
emphasized, “It’s just a suspicion. We’ll only know for sure once we rescue him.”
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Violet listened, and then said, “After Thomas died, the Farrell family was generous enough to release Viola back to her family. I heard they even gave her two shops as compensation, along with Thomas’s pension. If Thomas is really still alive, it’s not entirely Viola’s fault. But if she decided to return to her family, why did she take his pension and the shops the Farrell family gave her?”
She paused to think for a moment.
“If it were me,” she said, “I wouldn’t have taken them. After all, the Farrell family isn’t some wealthy noble house. They’re not exactly swimming in money. So many of their sons died on the battlefield, and they have so many widows and orphans to take care of. From a moral standpoint, Viola shouldn’t have taken the two shops or Thomas’s pension. Taking back her dowry would’ve been enough.”
“Yeah, and now she’s using that pension and those two shops in her marriage to Barrett. If Thomas really does come back, he’ll probably feel pretty hurt.”
“It’s a tough situation involving loyalty and personal happiness,” Carissa said with a sigh, her mood growing heavy as well. “If it is Thomas, and he didn’t let Viola know he was alive because of his loyalty. then Viola remarrying is understandable. It’s a sad reality.”
That was just how it was, but the whole situation was overwhelmingly sad.