Her Graceful War Song

The next day, Elise and Selene wandered around Victory Pass, enjoying

themselves. Cindy had arranged for someone to guide them, but Elise declined, saying she preferred to explore at her own pace.

Victory Pass was now a town where two kingdoms met. Their cultures blended together, offering so many new things to see that the two young women were almost dazzled. Some snacks from Orivenia could even be found in Victory Pass. While wandering, Elise came across an embroidery workshop called Skye Embroidery and found it rather curious. She had seen embroidery workshops all over, but only the one in the capital went by the name Skye Embroidery. How was it that this town had one too?

Curious, she asked Cindy about it when she returned. Cindy explained that this Skye Embroidery was a different one, founded by Viola as a way to raise funds. Unlike the one in the capital, this one was simply an embroidery workshop; women could either work there or at home, bringing their finished pieces to sell.

In Victory Pass, there were also women who had been cast aside by their families. But usually, their families would take them back in as the rules here weren't as strict as in the capital. Only women who truly had nowhere else to go would end up at the workshop, but even then, not many stayed there.

So, the Skye Embroidery in Victory Pass served more as a place for women to earn some income, since the people of Orivenia liked to buy the handmade embroidery to sell in their homeland.noveldrama

Elise had naturally heard of Viola, but hadn't paid much attention to her. Elise had been away in Meadow Ridge for so long and didn't know that Viola had come to Victory Pass. Maybe she had heard about it but hadn't thought much of it.

"She must be making a fair amount of money, though, helping others sell their goods," Elise said thoughtfully.

"Well, not exactly," Cindy replied. "I've asked around. She makes only a small profit, just enough to cover the cost of renting the workshop. The majority of the money goes to the women who do the embroidery."

"She's really doing a good thing, then," Elise said.

Cindy nodded. "Yes, I've heard about her too. It's rare, really. She's turned over a new leaf, is genuinely trying to do good, and even takes care of many things herself."

Elise knew all about Viola's past, and also knew that Barrett had once been married to Carissa.

When Elise was younger, she was always curious about the past and loved to ask Lulu about her parents' earlier days. Lulu wasn't always careful with her words, and had once let slip that Carissa had been married to Barrett. From then on, Elise made it her mission to learn all the details of that part of their history.

One day, she had asked her mother if she still resented Barrett.

Carissa had only sighed and said, "It's all in the past. Who has room in their heart to cling to so many bygone grievances? Resentment hardly matters now. After all, my heart belongs to your father."

Since her mother wasn't angry, neither was Elise. She had no real fondness for Barrett, though.

Once, when he came to Sullivan Estate in Victory Pass, Elise had seen him. She thought he looked much older than her father, his age showing plainly, and he couldn't compare to Rafael at all.

Barrett had noticed Elise too, his gaze lingering for a moment as he recognized her as Carissa and Rafael's daughter. She resembled them both, and for a brief moment, memories from the past had rushed through his mind.

But soon, he pushed them aside. What was lost was lost. The most important thing now was to appreciate what he had in front of him.

That year, Elise spent the New Year in Victory Pass and didn't set out for Southmere Eastmarch until April. It was her territory, and as the Duchess of Southmere, she felt it was time to visit.

When the royal edict bestowing her the title had arrived, she had learned that the regional transport officer in Port Liantra had already begun. construction on her official

vel.not

residence. It was being built at the court's expense, with the Ministry of Housing overseeing the project. So, the progress should be fast.

Elise and Selene were still riding the same way they had when they first set out-letting the horses wander as they pleased. Their destination was still Port Liantra, but for now, they simply followed wherever the horses chose to go. With so many mountains and rivers in the world, they had to see some of them for themselves.

It was nearly the end of the year by the time the two of them, unhurried and at ease, finally made it to Rosevale.

Winter was bitterly cold, and

Rosevale offered little relief. Still, travelers on the road had said it would be much warmer in Port、 Liantra But with their leisurely pace, they knew they wouldn't reach it before the upcoming New Year, so they decided to spend the holiday in Rosevale instead.

The region was known for its famous natural wonder - an unusual mountain formation called Twilight Crest. Despite the cold, they climbed up to take a look. When they saw it, Selene's cheeks flushed bright red, while Elise was shocked and full of curiosity.

"Sure, women might look like this, but do men really look like that? They better not be that ugly," said Elise.

Selene smacked her lightly, her ears turning scarlet. "Don't talk nonsense! Is this something we should even be discussing? We shouldn't have come here at all."

"Why not?" Elise tilted her head back, her gaze fixed on the towering rocks. "Eventually, we'll have to find men to marry. Might as well take a peek now."

"Come on, let's go." Selene couldn't hide her embarrassment, so she quickly tugged Elise back down the mountain.

But Elise still looked back, marveling at the size. "Wow, it's huge!"