Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1384

Celeste's fists tightened, and there was a sharp glint in her eyes. "That's why I say the heavens are unfair. How could this happen?"

"You said it yourself—it's all about one's birth. Even the woman you call an old hag also comes from a noble family," Carissa replied calmly, her voice carrying a subtle sense of superiority.

Celeste hated that attitude more than anything, for it reminded her of Eleanor—the one who stood in the clouds while Celeste could only crawl in the dust below. Her anger flared, her chest rising and falling sharply.

"So what if she's of noble birth? She was still rejected by her own husband," Celeste taunted.

"Mr. Prince? She never cared for him at all," Carissa said dismissively. "It's only you who treats him like some precious gem."

"He's no gem to me, he's a waste of space," Celeste spat, her expression hardening.

Carissa smiled contemptuously. "What I know isn't quite like that. You even had a child with him. Knowing full well that desertion is a grave crime, you followed him without hesitation. I've seen enough people like you—people who say one thing and do another."

"That's nonsense!" Celeste yelled, her face turning scarlet with rage. But then, she composed herself and laughed bitterly. "Ha, so you want to trick me? Fine. Yes, I loved him. I couldn't stop myself from running away with him. So what?"

Carissa shrugged nonchalantly. "Alright, you caught me. But it doesn't really matter. I was just going through the motions. The scribe will write the confession we need, and I'll be able to file my report."

Celeste sucked in a sharp breath. "You're trying to frame me?"

Carissa's face darkened, her voice cold as ice as she said, "It's not framing—it's the truth. Mr. Prince embezzled military funds because you incited him to do so. He deserted his post, which was your idea too. After he fled, you ordered his men to steal his wealth and silence him. There's nothing here that isn't true."

Celeste's nostrils flared, her fury bubbling over. "Don't you dare twist the truth! I didn't make him do anything! He's the one who embezzled the military funds because he wanted to indulge in pleasures. He's the one who ran away from the battlefield out of fear for his life. After fleeing the Southern Frontier, he didn't honor his promises.

Carissa rose from her chair, pushing it aside.

She hadn't wanted to speak more, but when she saw Celeste's eyes burning with malice, she paused and said, "I wasn't the one who caused their suffering. Whether a cup of coffee or a bowl of soup brings them peace, that's for them to decide. And as for a good reputation… I don't think I need it."

Eyes steady, she paused, then added, "As for the suffering you mentioned, who in this world doesn't face hardships? It's a matter of degree and how one chooses to break free from it. Your body and your beauty are yours to use as you wish. Apart from the mother who gave you life, no one has the right to dictate that. And by the way, your mother defended you until her dying breath."

Having said that, she glanced at Celeste's pale face one last time before leaving with Michael.

There was no need for further questioning. They needed to send someone to Stonebridge County to search for Oliver. Celeste would be sentenced according to the law, but one thing was certain—killing one's own mom was a capital offense.

She resented the unfairness of fate, yet she always found comfort in the suffering of others. Did she not realize that what she called the unfairness of the heavens was often the harm people inflicted on one another?