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Chapter 1033
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1034
In the side hall, Selma had prepared some coffee. Jessica gulped down an entire cup, her throat dry, her stomach growling. She was hungry and thirsty, but she dared not leave her room for fear the people outside would burst in and come for her.Seeing Jessica in such a state, Selma said, "I saw you working diligently just a couple of days ago. How about I make you a bowl of noodles?""Thank you," Jessica murmured softly, her voice thick with tears as she watched Selma leave.Her eyes were swollen, and the toll of exhaustion had taken its full effect. She looked like someone utterly defeated, stripped of all dignity."Everything I could give, I gave. I paid my debts," she muttered, her voice flat. "I still owe people so much money. I know I don't deserve any sympathy. I'm no good, but do you really think that as a so-called duchess in Ironridge Estate, I could do anything evil?"My mother-in-law hates me, my husband doesn't care for me, and I don't even have control over the househ
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1035
Violet couldn't help but think that Jessica truly was something else—bad, without a doubt, but also truly foolish.She probably inherited her foolishness, which Eleanor must have already accepted and moved on. Otherwise, why would Eleanor have kept everything from her daughter after all those years of planning?With that thought, Violet couldn't resist asking, "How much do you know about your mom's situation?""What's it to you?" Jessica instantly tensed, eyeing her warily. "Don't try to frame me. I don't know anything!"Seeing how defensive she was, Violet decided not to push further, instead asking about the maids in her former household. She seemed to think they were trustworthy and loyal to her."Even after I was divorced, I didn't take them with me. They won't be mistreated in Ironridge Estate, and Madam Margaret is lenient. There's no reason for them to suffer with me," said Jessica.Carissa raised an eyebrow. "You've never considered that Serena might try to harm you? How
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1036
Jessica thought back on all the years of tangled emotions and conflicts with Emma, who had since passed away. Death was like a light that had gone out, and in hindsight, most of the things that had angered Jessica seemed to be her own fault. She was always nitpicking and finding fault where there was none.After a long silence, she finally spoke softly, "Actually, she was a good person. She was devoted, kind-hearted, and gave birth to an heir for the marquis. She managed the household's affairs for many years. If she hadn't miscarried last year, her health wouldn't have deteriorated so quickly.""She miscarried last year?" Violet asked."Yes. Her health was always fragile. The physician advised her against getting pregnant again, but she unintentionally became pregnant. The child was frail and couldn't be saved. After the miscarriage, her body was severely weakened. If it hadn't been for that, she wouldn't have died so young," Jessica explained.Carissa remembered asking Luke about
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1037
Luke returned after speaking with Giles, confirming that Jessica had indeed mistreated the servants—beating and scolding them. When Luke brought up Emma, Giles broke down in tears. He said that Emma was well-liked at the estate and would have been a rightful wife if it hadn't been for Jessica.Claire had also returned, but hadn't uncovered any new information. She had tried asking the servants at Ironridge Estate, but they didn't say anything. This meant that, aside from the few servants who claimed they had been abused by Jessica and were seeking revenge, no one else had come forward.Clearly, the management of servants at Ironridge Estate and the confidentiality of the inner workings of the estate were handled exceptionally well. It seemed those few people were intentionally going out of their way to tarnish Jessica's reputation."By the way, while there were no new leads at Ironridge Estate, we did find out the reason the rumors were spreading so wildly. A few scholars wrote arti
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1038
Ignoring the late hour, Rafael sent someone to the Quinton family's residence with a notice of his visit the following day."Since he went against my senior guild member, he can forget about getting any sleep tonight," the prince quipped.Carissa's lips curled into a smile. "I'll go with you tomorrow to see Madam Marjorie.""Alright." Rafael pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. His voice was a little rough as he whispered, "It's April, and we still haven't had a chance to go for a spring outing. Marrying me must be such a hardship for you."Carissa rested her face against his chest, recalling the time he had tumbled down a mountain.She couldn't help but chuckle and tease him, "Do you still want to go skiing? I think the snow's probably all gone by now.""N-no, it's fine," Rafael stammered, flustered.He lowered his head and, with a possessive kiss, silenced her teasing.At that moment, Sydney came in with a late-night snack. She was greeted by the sight of Lulu ru
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1039
Able to easily distinguish between politeness and sincerity, Carissa could tell that Marjorie wasn't being dismissive."Madam Marjorie, the queen is your daughter. If Skye Embroidery is something the queen is spearheading, then that would be the best possible outcome," Carissa said.Marjorie paused for a moment, slightly startled. "Your Grace, if Skye Embroidery succeeds, it will certainly be remembered for generations. You've already started working on it, and although there will be obstacles, I believe it won't be too difficult for you."Carissa smiled. "It's easier said than done. In the end, it's a matter of changing mindsets."Marjorie nodded slightly, resuming her walk. "Indeed, it's difficult. But since you've already borne the criticism, why should you share any credit with Her Majesty?"Carissa chuckled lightly. "I believe claiming credit for this would be too shallow. The real accomplishment is ensuring that it benefits the people."There was a brief pause before Marjor
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1040
His tone deliberate, Rafael spoke slowly, "Having leverage in someone else's hands really does leave you at their mercy. I didn't make your situation public at first because a good piece of leverage should be used wisely. Now, the time has come. No more talking. If the articles aren't in Jacob's hands within two days, you'll have to write an article yourself to clear your name."There it was—a blatant threat.Malcolm's chest heaved with frustration, but he could only glare in silence.Rafael remained as composed as ever, as if he hadn't just made a bombshell of a statement. He sipped the fine coffee in his cup, showing no sign of haste. He was a man of high standards, and this coffee was quite good. Malcolm's household clearly had taste, though they also liked to flaunt their moral superiority.Such self-righteous people were often the easiest to handle, especially someone like Malcolm who was so concerned with his reputation yet careless about preserving his dignity.After taking
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1041
At the Quinton family's residence, Malcolm straightened his clothes and said, "You're being foolish, dear. How could you believe Carissa's deception? If Her Majesty really stepped in to support the workshop, wouldn't she be scorned by the civil officials?"Right now, the queen doesn't need to do anything—Prince Connor's position as the crown prince is already nearly secure. He is the legitimate eldest son. Who else could it be but him?"Marjorie remained seated, her expression calm as she asked, "If that's the case, then why did you target the workshop, my lord?"Since the matter with Casey, Marjorie had stopped addressing him affectionately. After so many years of marriage, there was a clear distance between them now.Malcolm pursed his lips, silent, though the darkness in his eyes deepened.Marjorie understood the reason, and when he remained silent, she added, "His Majesty is in his prime and there's no talk of choosing a crown prince. The palace is full of concubines, so the n
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1584
Snow fell softly in the dead of winter, blanketing Victory Pass in white. At that moment, the world seemed to have been made pure again.For years, I wore nothing but a tattered priest's robe. I carried a broken bowl and wandered from place to place, asking for food. I stopped only briefly at temples along the way to rest for a night or two and kneel before the statues to beg for forgiveness.I could have stayed at the first monastery I was sent to. Life there wasn't easy, but it wasn't so hard either. I had warm meals and shelter from the cold. But I knew if I stayed in comfort, I would never wash away my sins.Only by suffering, by staying on the road and bearing the cold, the hunger, the pain, could I find peace in my heart.And so, I came to Victory Pass.My sandals had long since fallen apart. Thick calluses had grown on my feet; I could walk barefoot over rocks and barely feel a thing. Even with every piece of clothing I owned layered over me, the winter cold still cut throug
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1583
It was during the Verdant Hunt that Connor fell out of favor with Dad, who scolded him harshly before we left the hunting grounds. Once we returned to the palace, Connor fell ill. Ryan and I were both terribly worried, but Mom was delighted.She held me close that evening, her smile sharper than usual. "After this, your father is sure to be tired of your brother."She told me I must work harder than ever, and to listen closely to the royal chancellor and my uncle."Study better than anyone. Earn their praise. And most importantly, outshine your brother," she said.My heart felt torn. Mom often spoke of the rewards that came with being crown prince, and I won't lie, I was tempted. However, those were all distant things.At the time, I was close to Connor, Ryan, and even our youngest brother, Cecil. We all got along so well. How could I possibly hate my older brother?Those thoughts tangled inside me, day after day. I lost focus. My studies slipped. I made mistakes during riding pra
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1582
Before I took the vows and entered the monastery, my name was Caden.From the time I was young, I often heard the same praise whispered around me: "This child is sharp beyond his years—clever, quick-witted, the finest of the three princes."I heard it so often that I came to believe it myself. At times, I even felt proud. But whenever I let that pride rise too high, Mom would bring me back to earth.She would look at me, her eyes soft but filled with something I couldn't quite name—pity, perhaps. And then, she would sigh and say, "What a pity you were born of my womb. If not, you might have risen above that foolish one. But fate favored him, not you."That "foolish one"—I knew well enough who she meant. I had heard her say it so many times in private, though never once in public.It puzzled me greatly as a child. Mom clearly disliked my eldest brother, Connor, more than anyone. Yet, whenever he came near, she would smile warmly and speak kindly. She would even flatter him, calling
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1581
Two childhood friends were now each giving their all on very different paths.Clarence had started with herbs, then medicine, and in time, healing became his entire world at Eldermere Keep. At first, it was merely something to pour his heart into, because he knew he would never be allowed to leave the mountain and open a medical hall of his own.But then Ryan came, and afterward, sent Clarence a letter.That letter changed everything.For the first time, Clarence began to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could go down the mountain after all. And once that hope took root, he threw himself into his studies with more energy than ever before. He barely slept, rarely left the apothecary, and sometimes forgot to eat.Because of the pain he had once endured, he focused his efforts on curing injuries and chronic pain. Of course, a good physician had to know more than one thing, so he studied every field without neglecting any.There was a fire inside him now. A quiet flame that had not bur
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1580
"Elise, must your mouth run on without end?" Carissa frowned at her daughter, who had been chattering away beside Ryan from the moment he stepped through the door.The little girl's face was flushed from the sun, her hair tangled into a messy nest that made it clear she had only just returned from playing outdoors. She hadn't stopped talking since Ryan came back from his travels, pestering him with questions about what he had seen and done.Elise turned to Carissa with wide eyes, looking up with a face so innocent it could soften stone. She truly had inherited the best features from both her parents."Mom, I haven't seen Ryan in such a long time. Every moment without him felt like an eternity. We've been apart for so long, so of course I have a lot to say to him."Carissa's frown deepened. "And who taught you to speak in such a ridiculous manner? An eternity—where did that come from?""Sage Isaac said it to Aunt Violet. He went back to Meadow Ridge for a few days and said it to her
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1579
Though Ryan had told Cecil he was going on a journey, he didn't stay long at Eldermere Keep. After just seven days, he left and made his way to the Pathfinders Guild.He had initially planned to return to the capital to seek out Claire, but soon reconsidered. Instead of troubling her, he thought it best to directly ask Winona to teach him the art of disguise.It was not difficult to learn, but to do it well—to the point where no one could tell—was another matter. Such skill could not be acquired in just a few months.The simpler form of disguise involved merely altering one's features with makeup and slight adjustments to the face. This was fine for ordinary situations, but could easily be seen through in more challenging circumstances, like on a rainy day for instance.Therefore, Ryan knew he couldn't settle for such a basic method.The more advanced form of disguise involved creating a mask as a false face. However, these masks had their own set of problems. They were thick, unco
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1578
That evening, Ryan and Clarence sat by candlelight and spoke quietly. They avoided discussing court politics as Clarence had no interest in such matters. As long as the kingdom was peaceful, that was enough for him.He was no longer the eldest prince of Starhaven, and only had himself to look after now. Everything else had faded into the past.It was better not to speak of politics; it was too sensitive a topic. In his younger years, Clarence hadn't understood why his "death" was so tied to such matters. But over the years, Sebastian had explained everything to him, bit by bit, including the risks and consequences.The bond between Clarence and Cecil was not without affection. However, to gamble with one's life and future for the sake of family might not be the wisest choice for any of them.Clarence had come to terms with it. Life had to go on; it was better to live it well today than to wonder about tomorrow."Aunt Carissa said you're no longer able to stand, but you were walking
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1577
The azaleas of Eldermere Keep bloomed in a riot of color, spreading across the hills in a blaze of purple and red. The sight was enough to dazzle anyone who set eyes upon it, especially those who had never visited this secluded place. It was the kind of beauty that made one long to stay forever.Yet, there was one exception.A young man rode his horse to the base of the mountain, dismounted, and secured his steed. Without a glance at the dazzling scene around him, he began to walk the path up the mountain, his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.The vivid azaleas stretched out along either side of the path, reaching out as if to claim him, but he merely brushed them aside with a casual swipe of his hand.His pace was swift, and he occasionally used his Lightfoot Skill. Eldermere Keep was not high up, but its location was well-hidden, with many winding paths leading in. However, he had studied the map countless times before embarking on this journey, so the route to the keep was et
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1576
Rafael glanced at the robe. "Isn't that mine? Are you saying I've gotten fat? I'm not fat.""Oh, is it yours? It's too long, then. I'll have someone alter it for me," Carissa replied casually.Rafael shook his head. "If you want something loose, just have someone make it for you. Why bother altering my old clothes? It's not even comfortable.""I'm going to Meadow Ridge for a year. Wearing your clothes will make it feel like you're still with me," Carissa said with a bright smile, as if the idea of being apart for a year was no more serious than being apart for a day."A year?" Rafael looked shocked. "You're going back for a whole year? Why?""Well, of course, my mentor misses me, and I miss him too," Carissa replied, placing her hands on her hips as she handed the robe to Lulu, who was standing by with a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh."But I won't leave right away. Since Ryan is about to inherit the duke's title, I'll wait until that's settled before I go back to Meado
