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Chapter 1036
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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
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1042
The scholars submitted their articles, but Jacob rejected them outright without even presenting them to Rafael. The scholars' attitudes were dismissive, and they still held prejudice against the workshop. They were reluctant to even consider issuing a clarification."Submit it again tomorrow. If it's still like this, then there's no need to bother coming back," Jacob instructed indifferently."Sir, you're a scholar yourself. Now that you've gained power, why are you making things difficult for other scholars?" one scholar asked, gritting his teeth.Jacob responded with the simplest, most direct retort, "It's a pity you weren't born a woman. Maybe then, you'd understand the hardships your mothers face.""What does the workshop have to do with women? It's a place for discarded wives," another one of them scoffed.Jacob's expression darkened. "If there are discarded husbands, they can go too."The scholars froze."Discarded husbands? Such talk is absurd!"Jacob looked at them with
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1043
Carissa furrowed her brows, already suspecting it had something to do with Emma. Knowing how the years at Ironridge Estate had been unkind to her, having to not only manage the household but also bear children, Carissa had desperately hoped it wouldn't be her.Jessica frequently criticized her, and although Emma was Margaret's niece, she wasn't the primary wife. While she oversaw the internal affairs of the household and social engagements outside, her standing was always questionable.Violet was also frustrated. "What should we do? Could it really be her? If it's her... well, the woman is dead. Will the Marquis of Ironridge and the old matriarch even believe this? And there's no solid evidence to prove that Emma arranged everything before her death. The testimony of one maid isn't enough. She could easily say I coerced her."Carissa thought for a moment before saying, "Then, let's have Luke summon Giles again. This time, we'll question him ourselves.""That seems like the only opt
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1044
Sebastian's apprentices were well-connected in the capital's medical circle and quick to catch wind of any news.As the controversy surrounding the workshop and Jessica grew louder, many in the medical community began to gossip. They questioned how a single dose of laxatives could lead to a miscarriage.One person muttered, "She's been drinking Redroot Restorative all along, and that's meant to stimulate blood circulation. That stuff can be dangerous, potentially causing excessive bleeding if taken in excess. How could she not lose the baby?"The gossip spread quickly, reaching Rowan's ears. Naturally, he investigated further. It didn't take long before he found out that the person who had spoken was Aaron Hawthorne's apprentice. Aaron was the personal physician to the Marquis of Ironridge's family, although he also ran his own small clinic and had several apprentices.Rowan dug deeper and discovered that Aaron, under someone's orders, had been sending a special blend of herbs to I
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1406
Salvador summoned Eustace to the palace for an audience.Eustace had come prepared. Though he had led his bodyguards and the merchant convoys to quell the unrest, the connection between the Spencer family's collateral branch and Nicholas couldn't be easily dismissed. Even if Salvador publicly declared their merits balanced with their faults, it was not something that could be swept aside without consequence.However, Salvador's attitude towards Eustace was surprisingly warm. The former even praised him for his loyalty to the throne and his patriotic spirit, noting that he resembled his late father in his unwavering commitment. The previous head of the Spencer family had been generous to the court, contributing substantial funds during times of war.Eustace understood the underlying message and quickly offered, "With both the Southern Frontier and Victory Pass embroiled in battle, the Spencer family is willing to contribute in whatever small way we can. We will donate 300,000 silve
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1405
Adrian had been in the capital for some time now. In the past, he had been consumed with his studies on sacred firearms, leaving little room for anything else. But now, with some free time, he used the excuse of being unable to let go of the business in the city to extend his stay.The truth was, he was concerned for Carissa.His interest in sacred firearms had begun with his trip to Nerathia to study their methods. He had done it for the Southern Frontier, then Hector, and ultimately, for Rafael and Carissa.As a mentor, Adrian knew that they each had their own paths to walk. He couldn't prevent them from forging their own futures, but he could help them however he could and act as their support.Adrian often claimed he wasn't cut out to be a teacher. But the truth was, his apprentices were exceptional. Each one of them was a person of great character. None of them needed his constant concern—except for Carissa.She had always been wild and carefree. But even so, she had mast
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1404
As Nicholas was paraded through the streets, the weight of his downfall crushed him entirely. His sanity fractured and he screamed curses at the people, accusing them of ignorance and foolishness. He raged at the masses, claiming they had been deceived by the court, that they had mistaken a foolish king for a wise ruler. He claimed that only he was the true sovereign—the one destined to bring justice and prosperity.His hoarse cries were drowned out by the roar of the crowd. The people shouted for his death, calling for him to be torn apart. They said that the execution by Torso Cleaving was far too merciful. They demanded he be cut into pieces and slowly tortured to death, as punishment for his evil deeds.On the other hand, Yuvan stayed silent the whole time. Inside, he was filled with resentment and hatred for Nicholas. He believed that if Nicholas hadn't turned his people against him, he could have succeeded.Nicholas was like a poisonous snake, hiding in the shadows. When Yuv
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1403
Now that everyone had been gathered, the long-awaited reckoning could finally begin.After thorough investigations by the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the Capital Guard, it was confirmed that Yuvan, Nicholas, and his associates were indeed guilty of treason.The charges were indisputable. After such a long delay, it was time to list all their crimes for the world to see.Yuvan's entire family—except for Randall, who had provided valuable information—was sent to Astral Prison. However, Randall was also removed from the royal registry. He remained in his post at the Supreme Court, still serving as warden. Despite that, it was clear that any prospects for promotion were now out of reach for the next ten years.Matthew had ordered Randall to take a temporary leave, telling him to stay away from Astral Prison and reflect quietly at home while the matter was sorted.Matthew thought Randall was a bit slow, but at least the latter was honest and willing t
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1402
Clifford's eyes gleamed with a sharp light. "Very well. Let's hear some of your self-righteous words."Salvador, ever the suspicious soul, had always been wary of the Hell Monarch's household. Even if Carissa hadn't risen for women's rights, Salvador would still remain cautious of her.How could Carissa not know Clifford's intentions? From the moment he asked, she knew it was a trap.Before she could respond, Clifford sneered and added, "You can always start by flattering King Salvador. Praise him for how he treats women under his rule. As long as your conscience is clear, feel free to do so."Carissa was infuriated, but she wasn't willing to be baited. She met his mocking, challenging gaze. "Don't make assumptions. That's not the same thing at all. You think people are ignorant and narrow-minded as they can't understand your preferences, so you resort to extreme measures to gain their approval. But that's your personal problem. You can't speak for others like you, and you're not
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1401
Gerald and Clifford met in the Supreme Court's interrogation room. They sat across from each other, an old wooden table between them. Carissa sat behind the scribe's desk, not far from them. Even if they spoke in hushed tones, she could hear every word clearly.The only sounds in the room were the quiet rustle of breath, the steady beat of hearts, and occasionally, the almost imperceptible sound of a sigh.Yet, no words passed between them.Neither of them exchanged even a fleeting glance. It was as if they were two strangers who were forced to sit together—distant, indifferent.Carissa wondered if it was her presence that made things so strained, though she could not leave. All she could do was endure the awkward silence alongside them.At last, Gerald asked, "Why?"Gerald was truly baffled, struggling to reconcile the person before him with the image of someone he thought he knew. No matter how he looked at Clifford, he could not align the two.Clifford clasped his hands tog
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1400
As Carissa returned to the Capital Guard Headquarters the next morning, Heather intercepted her at the door.It had been a long while since Carissa had last seen Heather. In fact, it seemed Heather had kept herself mostly secluded lately.Since Harvey had been brought back to the capital, his son Lennon Sanford had not been captured, but Chester's forces continued their search. It was almost certain that the boy would be caught soon enough.Heather, anxious that Lennon might be implicated and face the same brutal punishment of beheading, rushed to Carissa for help.Carissa knew Heather had already tried appealing to Leona when Harvey was first brought back. She had asked Leona to talk to Carissa on her behalf. Yet Leona had refused, and she never mentioned the matter to Carissa. Carissa only learned of this from Alana."Carissa!" Heather hurried toward her, her face frantic with worry. "I need to speak with you. Could we find a quiet place to talk?""I have matters to attend to.
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1399
In her study, Carissa wrote a letter. Then, she handed it to Jacob with instructions to have it delivered to Rafael in the Southern Frontier.She knew the situation in the Southern Frontier. Victor was amassing troops but neither attacking nor retreating, keeping things in a stalemate.Everyone knew that Victor was just stalling. He had been given a military order to invade the Southern Frontier, but since Nicholas had failed, he could not return with any captured cities or military achievements to report.If Victor made a hasty retreat now, he would likely lose more than just his position—his life might be forfeited as well. He attempted to forge alliances with the nomads, hoping to find a way out—perhaps a way to secure his future or an escape from certain doom.The nomads, tired of conflict, had no interest in picking sides. Caught in the middle, they were doing everything they could to remain neutral, refusing to aid either side. If they really had to choose, they would choos
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1398
At precisely three in the afternoon, the long execution block was brought forward. The block was forged from ironwood, solid and unyielding. It was the only one of its kind in Starhaven, used solely for execution by Torso Cleaving.The block had been kept in storage for years.Augustus had once deemed the act of Torso Cleaving too brutal. Even those who committed the most grievous offenses were spared this form of execution. Yet, the punishment had not been abolished. It remained a tool to strike fear into the hearts of would-be traitors.The cruelty of Torso Cleaving lay in the fact that after a person was cleaved in two, the upper body could still crawl, struggle, and leave behind a bloody trail.Normally, Torso Cleaving wasn't meant to be witnessed by the public. But treason, betraying the kingdom, and plotting to overthrow the throne were considered unforgivable crimes. Salvador didn't know how many people had dealings with the traitors, and some conspirators were too deepl
