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Chapter 1052
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1053
Since Aurora had been taken away by Westhaven's envoys, Barrett had been tormented by nightmares every night. He dreamed of her being tortured, her flesh slowly carved away, each strip of skin torn from her body while her blood surged like a tidal wave and drowned him.Even in the daylight, when he was on duty, he would sometimes hear her voice. Sometimes it was a cry for help, other times a bitter accusation of betrayal, and at times, the sound of her agonized screams.He felt like he was losing his mind.His guilt weighed heavily on him, yet part of him still believed he had done the right thing. The internal conflict had worn him down, leaving him exhausted, mentally and physically drained.He knew his position as deputy commander was more of a title than a real responsibility. The king never assigned him any duties. Day after day, he wandered the halls, his mind unsettled. At home, there was no peace either. Viola's constant complaints, Serena's goading to seek justice for her
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1054
Rafael's expression darkened, though not out of jealousy—he was more annoyed that Barrett was being so thoughtless. Carissa had just come from an audience with the king, and Barrett had the audacity to stop her and ask questions. Didn't he realize that the royal study wasn't just full of palace servants? Ministers and officials were coming and going, too."I didn't pay him much mind," Carissa said, "but it surprised me that he'd still ask about Aurora.""Forget him," Rafael muttered, then opened his arms and pulled her into an embrace. "Let's go get Ryan."As the carriage rolled on, the golden hues of the setting sun filtered through the curtains and cast a warm glow on their faces, as if the world itself had been dusted with sunlight.When they arrived at the academy, Dylan parked the carriage and went inside to fetch Ryan. Moments later, he returned, guiding Ryan out to the carriage.Ryan had matured noticeably. When he had first started at the academy, he would have bounded o
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1055
As soon as Connor said those words, the mood in the room shifted.Ryan stood beside Carissa, awkwardly fidgeting with the hem of his garment. There was indeed a scent about him. Every time he returned home, he had to soak in the medicinal bath Sebastian prepared. He had grown accustomed to the smell, and so he thought it had faded.A quiet feeling of shame rose within him. When he had been a beggar, the most frequent insult he had heard was, "You stink! Get away!"Carissa squeezed his small hand, brushing her other hand across his cheek. "I like the fragrance of the medicine."Ryan lifted his eyes, finding solace in his aunt's warm gaze. Right—wasn't it just a few remarks? Was he really so fragile that he couldn't handle that?He smiled at her. He didn't mind what others said.Kylie noticed Victoria's expression darkening and quickly stood up, pulling Connor over with a stern look. "Who taught you to speak like that? Apologize to Lord Ryan."Connor raised his chin. "I won't ap
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1056
Salvador listened to Derek's report, his face darkening with anger. "Wretched little fool!" he muttered."Your Majesty," Derek continued, "the queen dowager has instructed Lady Helen, Prince Rafael, and Lady Carissa to leave the palace. She told them she wanted Lord Ryan to stay for lunch, and she will send him out when the palace gates close.""Go to the kitchen yourself. Have them prepare some of Her Majesty's favorite dishes. I will join her for the meal," Salvador said."Yes, Your Majesty.""Then go to Everspring Palace and deliver my command. Have Barrett take Connor to kneel in the royal chapel. Barrett is to recount every battle the Sinclair family has fought. I will interrogate him on the details."Derek thought this was an excellent idea, particularly the bit about sending Barrett to handle it.After Derek withdrew, Salvador stared at the stack of reports before him, his mind drifting.In recent years, the calls to appoint the crown prince have grown louder. Throughou
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1057
Salvador's eyes were filled with guilt. "It is my fault, Mom.""I could remind you of your bond with the Sinclair family, speak of the past, and ask you to forget your position as king and treat Ryan as an elder would," Victoria continued, "but I will not do so. If you need to be reminded of a relationship to remember it, then that bond was never genuine in the first place. So, I will be direct with you: You must treat him well. No one is allowed to bully him."Her words stirred many memories within Salvador.It was as if he had just remembered that he too once had had close friends. When he formed his alliance with the Sinclair family, he didn't act with ulterior motives—his friendship with them had been sincere.When Hector and his sons died on the battlefield for the kingdom, Salvador had recently ascended the throne. His mind had been consumed with securing his position, gaining the loyalty of his subjects, and building achievements.He valued the success of reclaiming the Sou
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1058
Kylie's words incensed Salvador to the point of fury. With a swift motion, he swept the cup off the table, sending it crashing to the floor in a sharp clang that startled Kylie into silence.She felt his reaction was somewhat excessive. "Your Majesty, it was just a careless remark from a child! It didn't hurt Ryan. Why such an outburst over something so trivial?"Salvador's voice was cold as ice. "If you'd rather Connor remain a mere child with no responsibilities or expectations, I will gladly grant your wish."Kylie was stunned. "Your Majesty, you can't say such things! If word of this gets out, I fear the ministers will take it to heart!"Salvador sneered. "And what's wrong with that? After all, you've made it clear you hold no great hopes for him. If he's to be nothing more than a lazy prince begging for scraps from his younger brother, so be it."Kylie's vision blurred, her mind reeling with the shock of his words. She nearly fainted, and a cold dread settled in her chest.
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1059
That night, the Hell Monarch Estate was brightly lit.Jacob personally recorded Salvador's gifts, carefully cataloging and setting them aside. When Ryan returned to Northwatch Estate to inherit his title, Jacob would send the items there.Carissa held Ryan's hand as they strolled through the garden. After today's events, she feared they might have left a lasting impact on Ryan's spirit. She decided to take him out for a walk, hoping to ease his mind and inquire about his feelings and thoughts on what had happened.To her surprise, her worries were unnecessary. Ryan was calm as he looked up at her."What's the big deal? It was just one comment. There's no reason to be upset over it. The queen dowager and the king have been kind to me. They've given me so many gifts—shouldn't that outweigh a single remark? Besides, Prince Connor is still young. Once he grows up, he'll learn to respect others."Carissa playfully tapped his nose. "You clever thing! Saying Prince Connor is still young—
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1060
Before today, Carissa had never paid much attention to the question of who would succeed the throne.First, Salvador was still young; it seemed unlikely that he would appoint a crown prince so soon.Second, the royal family already had a legitimate eldest son, which was rare. Even in noble families, it wasn't uncommon for a legitimate son to be born after a concubine's child. There were many women in the king's harem, and it was always possible for a lesser concubine to bear the first son.In many noble families, it was customary that before the primary wife entered the household, no other concubines were allowed to bear children. Even during the nights of intimacy, a special medicine was consumed to prevent conception. If a woman were to accidentally become pregnant, a medicinal abortion was a common solution.However, the royal family was different. Any child born to a concubine, boy or girl, was still considered part of the royal bloodline.One of Salvador's concubines, Penelop
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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
