phin

of severance high, his face twisted with a cruel, desperate e

ndure, just as she had countless times before

embling in mine. I was about to

paper, but her green eyes, once as gentle as wate

facing Carlisle alone. Her back was ramrod straight, as if in

unprecedented coldness. "Eighteen years ago, when I married you with half the assets of

by her unfamiliar a

my origins, treating me like a 'Dragonless' commoner. They ha

d eye every single time, even condoning their

telling someone else's story, but

dren." Her voice finally trembled, but it was not

onor." She let out a soft laugh, a sound more heartbrea

ugly. He seemed to want to argue,

d, "You don't need to apply for that writ. Because it is I, Eleano

. He was completely stunned, the scroll slipping f

?" he stammered, as if he

r. "In the name of the Dragon God, I will submit an application to

ribable sorrow and pride washing over me.

ll and thorough accounting and compensation for the Sinclair family's u

ansaction. Including, but not limited to, every coin you and your family spent on l

ly must repay in full. Until t

e lightning, mine were t

He staggered back two steps, as if all

ow could they possibly repay eighteen years of enormous expenses? This meant they

unfamiliarity, fear, and a hint of...

glance. She turned to me, and to Mr

wheels began to turn again, leav

lly let go of all her strength, lea

ring, "It's over, Mother.

this day on, we

ened it. It was from Gideon. He arrogantly assumed I was just throwing a massive tantrum to make him jealous. He wrote that he still

eeded a new, powerful backer to ensure that the Si