Melody of Strength novel

Barrett’s eyes were cold as he said softly, “I truly wish you could tell me that you didn’t do those things in Fawnrun City.”

Aurora smirked coldly. “Is it because of what happened in Fawnrun City that you despise me? No, you despise me because I was captured on the mountain outside Simonton City, because I was disfigured. You think I’m no longer pure, but I can assure you, I am.”

Barrett shook his head. “No, it’s not the events on the mountain outside Simonton City that trouble me. I only feel pity for you in that regard. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken a beating on your behalf. What I can’t accept are the things you did in Fawnrun City.”

“Stop deceiving yourself, alright?” Aurora continued to smirk. “Do you really think that what I did in Fawnrun City was wrong?”

“Don’t you think you were in the wrong?” Barrett took a deep breath. “Even now, you still don’t see your mistakes?”

Aurora didn’t wear a veil, and the light revealed the full extent of her emotions. Her eyes burned with fiery ambition.

“Barrett, you’re not the only one who wants to make a name for yourself. I do too. I am the first female general of this era. No matter what great feats Carissa achieved at the Southern Frontier, she can’t replace me! I worked hard for my achievements in Fawnrun City. If I hadn’t done those things, how could I have solidified my status?”

She removed the hairpin from her hair, lifting the lamp wick slightly to cast a harsher light on her disfigured half–face.

“Do you think those great generals never committed cruel acts? To survive on the battlefield, no one is soft–hearted. General Sinclair became the Marquis of Northwatch at a young age. Do you really believe he relied solely on his bravery in battle? No, the darkness hidden behind those achievements is something you and I will never fully understand. Only someone as foolish as you would think of sacrificing your life for military achievements! Even if you fought to the death, you would never become

someone like General Prince.”

Barrett shook his head. “I don’t believe that.”

Aurora placed the hairpin back into her hair. “You don’t need to be so stubborn. You know very well why General Prince could replace the Hell Monarch to command the Hell Monarch Army. Was it because of his abilities? No, it was because of his title, the merits accumulated by his ancestors, and the privileges he enjoys.

“I only hoped that we could be promoted and that we could also enjoy such blessings for our descendants. As long as we become nobles, our children will have the chance to become people like Carissa and General Prince, individuals who can attain everything without needing to exert much effort.”

Barrett looked into her eyes, and saw both ambition and bitterness. He felt once again that he didn’t truly understand Aurora.

He said to her, “You once told me how women’s positions are so low. You saw countless women stuck in domestic roles, wasting their lives, and it made you feel sorry for them. You said you wanted to succeed to help improve their status, and make sure they’re not easily mistreated.”

Aurora countered, “Is there a conflict? I want to succeed and benefit my descendants, and I also hope that my success can improve the status of women. There’s no contradiction. I can’t just sacrifice myself for others without gaining anything. Am I wrong for wanting both?”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

She leaned forward and pressed, “Tell me, am I wrong for thinking this way? Am I?!”

Barrett hesitated for a moment, then instinctively shook his head. “No, you’re not wrong.”

“If I’m not wrong, is it reasonable for you to distance yourself from me because of what happened in Fawnrun City? Ultimately, it’s because I was captured and disfigured. You think I’m tainted.”

Barrett pulled himself free from her line of thinking. “Wanting to succeed doesn’t make it right to kill civilians.”

Aurora’s eyes grew cold. “Those were Westhaven people, not Starhaven citizens.”