Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1178

Carissa stepped into the room, her cold, piercing gaze sweeping over them. The three girls immediately lowered their heads, too intimidated to meet her eyes.

Seeing her arrive, Rosalind let out a relieved breath, as though a savior had finally appeared.

Carissa's voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"What are you waiting for? Do you want me to increase the punishment, or would you prefer to leave Gracewood Women's Academy? If you're not here to study, then don't take up space. There are plenty of others who would be eager to learn."

Hailey and Cassidy flinched at her words. They quickly pulled on Jocelyn's sleeve, their eyes urging her to leave before things got worse. What had started as 20 strikes was now 30, and if they lingered any longer, it could easily climb to 40 or 50.

However, Jocelyn wasn't one to back down so easily. As a pampered daughter of the prestigious Quinton family, she had never endured such humiliation. After a long pause, she finally stifled her defiant glare.

Before Carissa could say the dreaded 40, Jocelyn turned on her heel and stormed off, dragging the others with her.

Once outside the door, Jocelyn's face flushed with anger, her hands trembling. If it weren't for Kylie's orders, she would have never stayed in this wretched place.

Women only needed to know how to read and write, and that was enough. All this studying was pointless! It would be far better to learn how to manage a household or command servants. At least that would be useful after marriage.

-

Rosalind rose and greeted Carissa properly. "Greetings, Your Grace."

Carissa smiled. "I imagine having such students must give you a headache."

"It's only a few of them, so it's not too bad," Rosalind responded with a light smile.

She gestured for Carissa to sit as she began tidying up the lesson plans spread across the table.

"If they were just being rowdy, it wouldn't be so troublesome. What concerns me is the possibility that someone doesn't want the academy to succeed."

Her eyes narrowed with suspicion as she asked, "Who do you think it might be, Your Grace?"

Carissa had a rough idea, though she wasn't certain. She offered a comforting smile. "There are many who don't want to see the academy thrive. Rather than waste our energy guessing, it's better we focus on doing what we do best."

-

Meanwhile, Athena showed no mercy. She had sent someone to inquire with Carissa and confirmed that the punishment would be 30 strikes across the palm. When the time came, the maidservant struck hard.

Since the students used their right hands to write, it was the left hand that bore the brunt of the punishment. The heavy ruler struck with each blow, the pain intensifying as it went on. The girls held on at first, but soon their resolve broke, and they cried pitifully.

Athena paid no attention. She sat calmly sipping coffee, only speaking once the punishment was over. She had the girls treated with medicine, gave them a few words of rebuke, and sent them home.

That evening, Jocelyn returned home, crying uncontrollably. She demanded that Vera take her to the palace to speak with Kylie, to have her punish the others and get revenge for her.

Vera was already frustrated with the matter of Jocelyn's marriage, and she couldn't stand her daughter's tantrum.

Annoyed, she snapped, "Enough! You're doing this for the queen's sake, aren't you? She'll remember your loyalty. Once you marry General Farrell, you'll be free to leave the academy."

"I don't want to marry that old man!" Jocelyn's rage flared, ignoring the pain in her hand. She jumped to her feet, her eyes swollen from crying but filled now with hatred. "How dare he? Does he actually think he can take a young girl like me? Who does he think he is? I'll never marry a lecher like that!"