Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 853 After Amelia's death, Viola had no choice but to continue managing the household.

The accounts were in dire straits. Viola was reluctant to dip into her personal savings, so she decided to take a step back and visit Charlotte. She placed the family's account ledger on the table and suggested that the older woman take over.

Charlotte was still grieving Amelia's death. Her anger flared at Viola's actions, and the older woman immediately flung the account ledger back at her.

She stormed into Rebecca's room, declaring, “I demand a separation of the family!" "Isn't there already enough gossip about us? What do you think people will say if we split the family now?" Rebecca snapped, fuming.

"It's your sins that brought this upon us! Why should I suffer alongside you? We're separating the family! When the men chtonight, we'll sit down together and discuss how to divide things up." "You're being utterly unreasonable! How can we separate now? The money's gone, the properties are gone. - what do we have left to divide?" "I'll build a wall to separate us and make a separate entrance for my residence!" Charlotte snarled, her resolute tone making it clear she was not going to negotiate or back down.

"You've lost your mind! Your branch of the family has no resources, no connections! How do you think you'll fare after a separation?" Rebecca shot back.

"Anything is better than being pointed at and insulted because of you! I'm done with this. The shops and land your family sold were public property. I don't care how you do it-you must return the portion that belongs to us." With that, Charlotte stormed out in a huff, leaving Rebecca seething.

"I'm going to die from anger! What's Viola thinking? She's supposed to manage the household, yet she runs off to Charlotte's side of the family?! And that wretched Amelia-she's dead, yet she still won't let anyone have peace!" She ordered Viola to cand scolded her in person, telling her not to stir up trouble and to manage the household properly. If there wasn't enough money, she should cover the shortfall herself, and once funds were avail le, they could pay her back.

The anger didn't dissipate. It merely shifted from Rebecca to Viola.

Viola felt a sharp pang of anger in her heart. How dare Rebecca ask her to cover the household expenses out of her own pocket? The nerve of her! However, not covering them was not an option. Amelia's funeral had cost a small fortune, nearly draining their monthly funds.

Now, the household needed money for various expenses-the servants' monthly allowances had to be disbursed, the winter clothing bills needed to be settled, and preparations for the New Year celebrations were piling up. Viola was overwhelmed with a multitude of tasks, her stomach in knots as she lamented her misfortune. She was pouring both money and effort into this place; it felt like she was losing everything. Following the royal edict mandating his participation in special training, Barrett spent his days training with Violet. The training grounds were located at the Capital Guard headquarters, but Violet couldn't be there all the time. She reserved her lessons for her three personal apprentices and only conducted large group classes when enough students gathered.

As a result, Barrett, the newly appointed Crown Guard Commander, often found himself polishing weapons under Violet's orders.

Amelia's suicide hit Barrett hard-he knew his wife was involved in it. If it weren't for Viola's domineering attitude, his late sister-in-law might not have taken such a drastic step. So, he preferred to be at the training grounds polishing weapons rather than face her at home.

The second snowfall lasted for two days, falling in fits and starts. Valor Estate's charcoal supply was running low, leaving the days and nights uncomfortably cold. Rebecca required a steady supply of charcoal to endure the winter, so Viola gritted her teeth and used her own money to buy several cartloads Despite Viola's efforts, Rebecca still caught a chill and fell ill. Her weakened condition triggered old ailments, necessitating another round of Snowdrop Pills.

Viola pulled out ten silver coins and sent someone to purchase the pills, but this time, the staff at Arcane Sanctum refused to sellany to them. ve They had previously made an exception because Amelia had knelt in the freezing cold, impressing Sebastian with her devotion. Now that Amelia was gone, there would be no more Snowdrop Pills for the Warren family. Several people from Valor Estate took turns disguising themselves to buy the pills, but none succeeded.

Feeling a rising sense of urgency, Barrett considered asking his contacts in the Capital Guard for help, unaware that purchasing Snowdrop Pills required a prior diagnosis. Sebastian insisted that one must truly be in need before one could buy the pills. As Rebecca's condition worsened, she felt terrible every day.

She sent for Viola and said, "You... You should do as Amelia did and go to Arcane Sanctum to kneel for the medicine." Utterly shocked, Viola immediately shouted, "Are you out of your mind? You wantto beg for medicine while I'm pregnant?" "You're so disrespectful!"

Rebecca gasped for breath, her eyes filled with an unfathomable rage. She picked up a cup next to the bed and hurled it at Viola's head with all her might.