Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1161

Unexpectedly, Oliver learned that Barrett had arrived at the Southern Frontier and personally appointed him as a household soldier in Redstone Manor.

Redstone Manor's household soldiers were mainly responsible for handling all of Oliver's travel arrangements and ensuring his safety. This was especially important because enemy assassins often tried to infiltrate and target the marshal. While such threats had never materialized during Oliver's tenure, there had been quite a few attempts during Hector and Rafael's time.

Oliver had already learned from Evelyn that Barrett had divorced Viola. Regardless of how Oliver felt about his sister, Barrett's actions were an affront to him. Given his current position, Barrett's treatment of his sister was nothing less than a challenge to his authority.

Thus, he summoned Barrett and immediately set the latter to menial tasks—fetching water, chopping wood, sweeping the courtyard, and even serving food in the kitchen.

Barrett obeyed the orders wordlessly. He had been humbled to such an extent that his dignity no longer held any meaning.

In just a few days, Barrett had explored Redstone Manor from top to bottom. He realized that it was vastly different from the place he had known before. Apart from the outer shell of the residence, everything inside had changed.

The servants who had once been exclusively male were now joined by many maids and female attendants. There was also a lady of the house, whom Barrett had seen a few times. She was pregnant, perhaps five or six months along.

Given the comings and goings at the residence, the lady would always cover her face with a thin veil when she appeared. Her eyes, visible through the veil, were captivating, almost hypnotic. Barrett never sought to inquire about her identity, but others were always quick to gossip.

The people in the manor said she was Oliver's wife. Since her arrival, all the previous concubines and mistresses had been dismissed. The concubines who had come with Oliver to the Southern Frontier had mysteriously died, though no one knew why.

Barrett sometimes overheard the servants whispering, claiming that Oliver doted on the lady to such an extent that he gave her anything she wanted—if she asked for the moon and stars, he would have them brought down for her.

Barrett also noticed that the lady's belongings were beyond luxurious. Silks and satin, pearls and jewels—her every possession was extravagant. Now that the Southern Frontier was no longer at war, all manner of tonics were delivered to her. She consumed two bowls of royal jelly soup every day, one in the morning and one at night.

Her baths were prepared with goat's milk and petals, an indulgence she partook in every day without fail. Goat's milk and flowers were easy to find in the Southern Frontier, but to bathe in them daily was an extravagance beyond measure.

Barrett couldn't help but feel that Oliver's annual salary, already stretched thin to support his household, couldn't possibly cover such lavish expenses.

Oliver would never consider dipping into the military funds, right?