Her Majestic Battle Cry

Chapter 1160

Carissa and the others had been waiting for Isaac and Violet’s return. When they heard that they had gone to Silverstone Estate and laid everything out, Carissa couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The situation with the Earl of Silverstone’s family was complicated right now.

“Don’t worry, we didn’t reconcile or formally acknowledge each other,” Isaac reassured Carissa with a light pat on the shoulder and a brief smile. “At first, it was moving, but then it just seemed…insincere.”

On the way back, he found himself reflecting more and more on the scene with Evelyn. The more he thought about her words, the clearer everything became.

Compared to Caspian’s sincere display of emotion, every word Evelyn spoke had felt like it was meant for herself, not for him. It also explained why she never asked how he had been or cared about his well–being–she was only concerned with whether he and Zoey believed her story, not with him as a person.

Carissa frowned, confused, and looked at Violet for clarification. However, Violet simply shook her head, just as uncertain.

“Go ahead and sleep. It’s late,” Isaac said, walking away with his hands behind his back. His light–hearted demeanor made it clear that he wasn’t weighed down by the events, which seemed to put everyone else at ease as well.

Violet stayed behind to fill them in. Caspian and Evelyn had both been very emotional, crying uncontrollably. As for Isaac’s comment about feeling insincerity, she wasn’t sure what he meant either.

Carissa learned that Zoey had also been present, so she said, “I’ll ask Madam Zoey about it next time.”

Carissa hadn’t brought it up with Zoey before because Isaac hadn’t said anything. Now that it was out in the open, nothing was stopping her from asking.

The following day, Zoey herself came to visit before Carissa had the chance to go to her. She got straight to the point and presented two matters.

The first was that she needed Carissa’s help in persuading Isaac to take ownership of some of the assets of the Earl of Silverstone’s family–essentially buying them.

The second was to make sure Isaac didn’t believe Evelyn’s words. He shouldn’t reconcile with the family, and he shouldn’t engage with her at all.

Zoey didn’t try to hide anything–she laid it all out, giving the reasoning behind each request.

She knew that right now, Carissa was the only one she could truly trust. Thus, she told Carissa everything she knew about the situation at the Southern Frontier.

“There’s someone who frequently meets with Celeste. They meet at the back gate of the novelbin

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Redstone Manor. There’s no exchange of letters, only messages relayed verbally. I suspect that even though Celeste managed to escape blame for her involvement with Eleanor, she’s now involved with the people behind Eleanor.

“Rest assured, Your Grace, I’ve sent only trustworthy men. On the surface, they appear to be Oliver’s trusted advisors, but they’re actually people I trained. They answer only to me.” Carissa looked at Zoey, whose anxious explanation seemed to hang in the air, and quickly reassured her, “I trust you, Madam Zoey.”

Information from the Southern Frontier often made its way to Hell Monarch Estate. However, secretive private dealings like this could only be uncovered by those with connections within the marshal’s household. It required trained eyes to notice such things.

“I was originally worried Oliver wouldn’t be able to handle the situation at the Southern Frontier, so I sent my people along with him. Seven or eight of them went, all under my command. The truth is, he’s been useless–he’s accomplished nothing at the Southern Frontier. He hasn’t even participated in any military drills. He just shouts orders on the field and then goes home,” Zoey said, her concern clear.

“I know all this, Madam Zoey,” Carissa replied calmly. “Right now, with no war, his lack of action doesn’t matter much. It’s better for him to do nothing than to cause trouble.”

To be blunt, he was giving random orders and messing with the soldiers, which was unproductive. It would be better if he stayed in Redstone Manor and lounged around with Celeste.

Timothy and Louis were stationed there. When there was no battle, they could focus on training the troops and building up fortifications.

Zoey couldn’t help but ask, “Your Grace, who is the traitor, exactly?”

Carissa shook her head. “I only know part of it. There’s still much that isn’t clear, but it will soon be. Don’t ask too many questions. It’s better for you not to know anything at all.”

Zoey nodded. “Then, do you think I’m worrying for nothing?”

Carissa paused before answering, “You can never be too prepared. Follow your instincts. Isaac is reliable.”

Having fought a lone battle for so long, this moment was supposed to bring Zoey a sense of recognition and support. Instead, it only made her heart heavier.

It meant her worst fears could very well come true.

Once the Starlight Harvest Festival passed, the weather grew colder.

Barrett arrived at the Southern Frontier. Given his current status, he wasn’t allowed to meet with the marshal directly. Instead, he sought out Timothy. With a document from the

Ministry of Defense in hand, Timothy officially took him under his wing. The older man didn’t say much and simply instructed Barrett to stay out of trouble.