Her Graceful War Song

Viola used to shirk responsibility, no matter how catastrophic the situation. She would always distance herself, portraying herself as helpless or innocent. But this time, she didn’t refute Zoey’s words. She merely wiped away the tears that kept falling

Zoey looked at Viola and sighed.

Benjamin was a shell of his former self—no longer a man of status, no longer with a wife, spending his days locked away in his room. Bryan was a disappointment, failing at both martial arts and academics. He wasn’t someone they could rely on.

Charlotte’s side of the family had washed their hands off them, and really didn’t care anymore. She even ordered the construction of a wall to divide Valor Estate in two.

Barrett was the only one in this family who was able to do anything. In addition to his special training, he still came back to care for Viola. As the man of the house, he looked over the finances and realized just how dire their situation was.

The family was truly impoverished.

Four hours later, Tara personally brought two hundred silver coins to Zoey. She arrived in a hurry, out of breath, clearly having just come back from outside the estate.

From Poppy, Zoey had learned many things. Amelia had once asked Rebecca to pawn her jewelry, but she had refused and even yelled at Amelia for it. Now, due to her own illness and the need for medication, she had finally complied and agreed to pawn it.

Zoey was naturally willing to make the trip, but she knew it would be fruitless. She took Tara along, having the latter wear a veil and serve as a witness.

Upon arriving at Arcane Sanctum, Zoey introduced herself and requested to purchase Snowdrop Pills.

Since she was a new customer, a physician came over to ask, “Which of your household members is suffering from a heart ailment? The Snowdrop Pills require a diagnosis by our head physician, Sebastian, before a prescription can be issued. Please wait a moment while I fetch him to accompany you to Silverstone Estate.”

“Oh, is it really that complicated? If the diagnosis shows it’s not a heart condition, I can’t buy the Snowdrop Pills?” Zoey asked.

“That’s correct. The supply of Snowdrop Pills is limited, so we must ensure they go to those who truly need them,” the physician explained.

Zoey nodded. “Alright, I’ll come back tomorrow.”

After thanking the shop assistant, Zoey and Tara stepped out of Arcane Sanctum. The same shop assistant, Paul, suddenly rushed out after them, calling out to Zoey.

“Madam Zoey, I know you want to buy Snowdrop Pills for the Warren family’s matriarch–It’s possible, but we’ll only sell it to Madam Amelia,” he said, pretending not to know that Amelia had hanged herself. “If the Warren family wants to make a purchase, please have Madam Amelia come herself.”

Sighing heavily, Tara’s hand trembled as tears streamed down her face.

“Thank you,” said Zoey, turning and climbing into the carriage.

Tara followed, stepping up onto the footboard with a heavy heart. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

After returning to Valor Estate, Tara accurately conveyed the message from Arcane Sanctum’s shop assistant-Amelia had to come in person to buy the medicine. Otherwise, they would need to find a heart patient who required Snowdrop Pills.

There were indeed people in the capital who needed Showdrop Pills, but they wouldn’t be willing to help a cruel mother–in–law who had driven her daughter–in–law to death. Anyone who got involved would be subjected to the same scorn.

The Warren family was currently being criticized harshly. Even the Hell Monarch’s proposal to open an embroidery workshop for women cast out of their homes wasn’t enough to divert the public’s anger.

Most of the criticisms directed at the Hell Monarch came from men, but the outrage against Valor Estate and Rebecca was a national phenomenon. It was on a completely different scale. People would occasionally debate the Hell Monarch’s actions, but the insults aimed at the Warren family and Rebecca were pure and unfiltered curses.

It got worse when news broke that Rebecca needed Snowdrop Pills, but Arcane Sanctum would only sell them to Amelia. The townsfolk erupted in talks of karma. Servants who overheard dared not report back. for fear that Rebecca would fly into a rage, and they simply left.

After listening to Tara’s report, Rebecca remained silent for a long time. Zoey wondered if the older woman felt any regret at that moment, and suspected she did. Someone like her would only understand regret when their own life was in jeopardy.

Unfortunately, regret was the most useless emotion. It often came too late to change anything.

Zoey had said she would stay at Valor Estate to offer some support, but aside from caring for Viola, she merely watched coldly from the sidelines. She wasn’t a compassionate person, and only sought to act in a way that was true to her conscience.

She knew she could buy Snowdrop Pills through Carissa. But if she did, Amelia would never forgive Zoey- even in death.