Her Graceful War Song

The shop assistants at Arcane Sanctum were familiar with Amelia, and Paul recounted what had happened yesterday.

“She must have pawned some jewelry to come here. When she arrived, she looked dazed and was clutching a pawn ticket. I took a quick glance, and it was from a pawnshop called Treasure Exchange.

“Right away, she asked to buy seven or eight Evergreen Pills. I suggested she only needed two–one for childbirth and one for postpartum recovery. There’s really no need for more at other times,” he said, based on his observations.

“You could tell she had been crying, right?”

“Absolutely. She hadn’t even dried her tears when she walked in.”

“Thank you,” Carissa said, not wanting to pry further.

She then had the staff member lead her to Treasure Exchange.

As she was dressed in official uniform, the shopkeeper produced the items that Amelia had pawned when asked about them. Carissa recognized them as gifts she had once given Amelia.

“She said she would redeem them, so they’re not permanently pawned,” the shopkeeper informed Carissa.

This meant that at the time of pawning, Amelia still had some hope of getting her jewelry back. It was only after returning home to face scolding and slaps, even threats of being kicked out, that she decided

to leave.

Amelia was timid and scared of the dark, so leaving home in the middle of the night suggested she had suffered a significant blow. There was a real possibility she might consider ending it all.

But where would she go? The capital city was vast, and since no missing person report had been filed, it was unlikely the Capital Guard or Garrison Unit would conduct a widespread search.

Carissa dispatched someone to check Amelia’s natal family’s residence to see if she had gone there. The report came back quickly–the locks on the front gate were rusted, indicating no one had been there for a

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Inquiries at the city gates also revealed that no woman had left the city alone that morning.

This meant Amelia was still somewhere in the capital. Given that she could only walk, she couldn’t have gone very far. If she was still wandering around the city or hiding in some alley to escape the cold, it was possible to find her.

Michael and the guards from Hell Monarch Estate searched everywhere. They checked every major and minor inn but found no trace of Amelia. Even the discreet inquiries at Valor Estate confirmed she hadn’t

returned

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the wind picked up, the night promised to be even colder. Deciding not to waste any more time, Carissa sent out additional people to search for Amelia, with Violet joining the efforts as well.

After a moment’s thought, Carissa ordered someone to summon Barrett to the Capital Guard. headquarters. When he arrived, he was unsure why he had been called. All he knew was that Carissa had

requested his presence, leaving him feeling both anxious and vaguely hopeful.

Without beating around the bush, Carissa confronted him directly, asking. “Your sister–in–law is missing. Are you aware of this?”

Barrett blinked in confusion. “Missing? What do you mean?”

He had attended court that day and hadn’t heard anything about Amelia’s disappearance. Given the family disputes brewing at home, he had planned to stay late at the palace before returning to the estate.

“Exactly what it sounds like. Early this morning, the Northwatch Estate gatekeeper found her sitting. outside next to the stone lion. When asked what she was doing, she left. She hasn’t returned to Valor Estate since.”

Barrett frowned, perplexed.

What was the big deal? Amelia was an adult. She could come and go as she pleased. Why was it strange for her to be out?

“It’s only just now getting dark. She’ll likely come back later,” he said dismissively. “I don’t understand why you’re worried, Commander Sinclair. Is… there really any reason to panic?”

Carissa shot him a sharp glance. “Clearly, you don’t know your sister–in–law very well. Does she usually stay out late?”

Barrett hesitated. “I… I’m not really aware of her habits.

“Then, you should head back and take some men with you to search for her. She doesn’t have many relatives in the capital, so she won’t have anywhere else to go.” Carissa instructed, her tone leaving little room for debate.

Barrett felt bewildered. “But it’s really unnecessary! Even if she’s out during the day, she’ll naturally come home at night. With my mom’s condition worsening, she’s been at her bedside every evening. There’s no way she wouldn’t come back. Where could she possibly go?”

Carissa’s expression hardened. “I said to find her, so get going.”

Feeling the weight of her authority and sensing her irritation, Barrett instinctively replied, “Understood!”

After a brief pause, he looked intently at Carissa. “Even if I think it’s unwarranted, I appreciate your concern for the people of my family. Thank you.

Carissa’s brow furrowed tighter. “It’s not about them. It’s because Amelia was seen at Northwatch Estate this morning. I’m afraid something has happened to her.”

“Impossible! That can’t be true,” Barrett insisted confidently.

Just then, Michael rushed in, clearly agitated. “Commander Sinclair! We found her, but I’m afraid you’ll need to go check it out in person.”