Her Graceful War Song

It had been a month since I arrived at Victory Pass, and I began to wonder what I ought to do with myself.

Though I was Barrett's wife in name, in truth, we had very little to do with each other. He spent most of his time at the camp, only returning now and then. As such, I had plenty of time on my hands and thought I might start a little trade.

Victory Pass was not quite as I had imagined. I thought a border town like this would surely be cold and short on supplies. But to my surprise, one could buy almost anything here-save for things like the finest jewels and luxurious brocade.

That was not to say they couldn't be found at all. When merchant caravans brought such treasures, they were quickly stored away and sent on to Orivenia, where they would be sold to nobles and the wealthy.

The common folk in Victory Pass bought ornaments for their prettiness rather than their worth, and no one really cared whether they were costly or not.

I had been thinking about what sort of business I might start. Whatever it was, I would need to purchase a shop first, would I not? So, I set out with my manservant and maid, wandering through streets and alleys in search of a suitable place.

When I came to Victory Pass, Zoey had given me a purse of silver coins. Luna and Violet had also added some, and I had my own savings as well. It was more than enough to buy one or two shops here.

My maid was a 14-year-old local girl called Lumi. When she was seven, she had been sold to be a child bride. But the boy in that household had fallen gravely ill, and the family had no choice but to sell her again to afford medicine. She had gone through a hard life.

I swore, as we wandered through the streets, that I truly meant to buy a shop and begin some trade. But when we passed Apricot Lane, my eyes came to rest upon an abandoned house.

It was a large place, much larger than where I was currently staying. But the courtyard was overgrown, and the gate was rotting and missing one side. From where I stood at the entrance, I could see tall grass growing wild within.

My manservant, Thane, was also a local. He told me that this building had once been a school. When the war broke out, no one had time to study they were too busy trying to survive-so the school had been left to ruin.

Later, when a new school was built with money from the court, it was placed elsewhere. Meanwhile, this old one, being too worn, was abandoned for good.

I told Thane and Lumi that I wished to buy the place and open a women's academy.

I said it calmly, but the moment the words left my lips, I startled even myself.

Starting a school was often a safe and profitable venture-but an academy for women? That was another matter entirely. Though many women's academies had opened across the kingdom, there were still very few families truly willing to send their daughters to study.

Even with Victory Pass thriving from border trade, most people here were set on earning money and saw no use in educating their daughters.

And truth be told, most girls from ordinary families had little need for learning. Once married, they only needed to know how to honour their in-laws, serve their husbands, bear children, and, if the family owned a small business, perhaps manage simple accounts.

I had heard that Victory Pass once followed the trend and opened a women's academy. However, only a few ever enrolled, and it eventually shut its doors.

So, if I wished to open a women's academy here, it would be terribly difficult. I might pour in all my silver and still not succeed.

Just as I was about to give up the idea, I suddenly remembered

something Carissa once said, which Zoey had told me about. When. Carissa first began her own

workshop, everyone said it would be too hard, that she would be mocked and misunderstood.

But she had said, "Yes, it will be hard. But it must be done."

It had to be done.

Yes, I believed so too.

Once the decision was made, it seemed my life's purpose was finally set.

Buying the old, abandoned house was no trouble at all. With Barrett's help in handling the arrangements, I was able to purchase it at an excellent price and began repairs straightaway.

Barrett never asked me why I wanted to open a women's academy, Perhaps it was because he knew it was something Carissa had done. If she did it, it must be right believe that was what he thought in his heart.

It was quite difficult to find students. I couldn't offer everything for free—my money only went so far.

At first, only three girls came. A few months later, the number grew to five. Even

so, I gave it my whole heart and did my best to teach them well.noveldrama

Life became fuller. Most importantly, my heart felt at peace.

Or nearly at peace.

Looking back, I had made many mistakes in the first half of my life. I had hurt people with both my actions and my sharp words. While in the capital, I apologized to many of them, especially my family.

The only one to whom I never gave a true and heartfelt apology was... Thomas.

I owed him that much. I longed to make it right.

That was why my heart had not yet found full peace.