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Chapter 117
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 118
Outside the wooden door, agonized screams pierced the air. When Aurora heard them, she nearly fainted from fear.She knew exactly what torture her cousin and comrades were enduring, because she had inflicted the same punishment on the captured Westhaven crown prince. Castration—cutting a man's private part off while the victim was alive, and watching it writhe on the ground like a twisted worm. If Arthur had screamed even once, the torment might have stopped. However, he had bitten his tongue and stayed silent. Her soldiers then urinated on his wounds and body, then slashed him repeatedly, mixing blood and urine together.Recalling that scene had once brought Aurora satisfaction. Now, it filled her with deep terror.Liam pulled out a dagger, and she screamed, "No! Stay away from me!"He kneeled, and cut the ropes binding her. Seeing her cower in fear only fueled his rage further. To think Arthur had been humiliated by such a cowardly creature!Once the ropes were gone, he
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 119
Just when Aurora thought they would continue to torment her, she was dragged back into the wooden hut along with everyone else.A charcoal fire had been lit inside the wooden hut, providing a bit of warmth amidst the drafts. They all crawled towards the fire, seeking to fend off the cold and the pain.Aurora's pants had been torn off, and the wound on her thigh prevented her from closing her legs. With the warmth in the room, the blood continued to flow slowly and pooled beneath her. Everyone was in such agony that no one paid attention to her. The hut was filled with nothing but the sound of pained groans.Someone entered, and forced a bowl of medicine down her throat. The mixture of the medicine and the lingering stench of urine nearly made her vomit again.She didn't vomit, fearing they would urinate on her again. She felt that there was no chance of survival, since she was in Liam’s hands. If they gave her poison, it would at least grant her a quick death. She would accept that
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 120
Carissa and her friends were huddled around a small fire, their cracked lips dry and chapped. "Is there any evidence that she was among the troops withdrawing from Sandoria?" Carissa asked."No, but she chased a group of Westhaven soldiers when the battle started, and she hasn't returned since," Barrett said."Then we should thoroughly inspect the city for her among the corpses," Violet sneered icily. "She's not dead!" Barrett's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't curse her! As members of the same army, how can you curse a fellow soldier?"Violet rolled her eyes, and snorted. "The war is over, and I’m done with being a soldier. Don’t drag me into being her comrade. She doesn’t deserve it!"Barrett was infuriated by her words. He turned to Carissa, and said seriously, "I'm the one who disappointed you, not Aurora. If it were another soldier captured, would you save them?"Carissa countered, "If another soldier was captured, would you risk the lives of twenty thousand troops to chas
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 121
Barrett’s face turned red with frustration. He grabbed Carissa’s hand, and pulled her to one side. “Carissa! You know she’s been captured, and you won’t rescue her? What do you mean by that? Do you know where she is?” he yelled.Violet snapped a whip in their direction, forcing him to release Carissa’s hand and take a step back.“If you have something to say, keep your distance. Don’t get too close to Cari,” spat Violet coldly.Barrett’s anger towards Violet was obvious, but he grudgingly restrained himself. She was too skilled and not under his command, making her difficult to manage. He turned back to Carissa, his voice still sharp. “You know where she is, don’t you?”Carissa shook her head. “I don’t know. She could be in the desert, on the plains, or hiding in the mountains. But no matter where she is, we can’t send the entire Mystic Army to find her. It’s too risky.”“Then what are we waiting for?” Barrett demanded, pacing with frustration. “Are we just waiting for them to
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 122
As Carissa watched the fire slowly dim, she added a few more logs. The flames quickly devoured the dry wood, sending up bright flickers of light. The scene before her brought back a painful memory—returning to Northwatch Estate and finding it filled with corpses and bloodstains.The ache in her heart surged again, so intense that it made breathing difficult.How she wished for Aurora's death! But simply killing her might not be the most satisfying revenge. Carissa thought Liam might share this view.She was certain Liam wouldn’t kill Aurora. Rafael had given orders to wait here, and it was likely because Liam had said something to him.Rafael had previously mentioned having spies in Ilyrian City, so it was reasonable to assume there were spies in Simonton City as well.Waiting here was both Rafael and Liam’s directive.By late night, everyone was exhausted. They were sleepy and hungry, though the cold was no longer a concern with plenty of firewood available. Supplies had arriv
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 123
Barrett stared at Carissa. He couldn’t continue speaking, as she had rendered him speechless.She was right. She was the deputy commander of the Mystic Army and a fifth-ranked general of the court. Every word she spoke carried weight.He didn’t have many men with him, and had hoped the Mystic Army would join him. His own troops were exhausted, but the Mystic Army had rested here for quite some time. He believed that if they encountered the Westhaven forces or nomadic tribes, they could fight.In a low voice, he pleaded, “I want to lead the Mystic Army, even if I have to beg you, Carissa. I know I’ve wronged you before. You can punish me however you want. But we’ve been waiting for nearly two days! Aurora can’t hold on much longer. I know you hate her, but we’ll make amends together once we find her.”Carissa’s gaunt face remained cold. “This has nothing to do with personal grudges. The Mystic Army cannot advance any further.”Barrett clenched his fists. “Carissa, I’m already beggi
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 124
Barrett’s expression shifted dramatically. “How do you know they’re in the mountains? What justice are they seeking?”Carissa took a few steps away, and Barrett limped after her. When she stopped, he stared at her expectantly.The wind howled around them, and Carissa’s voice was barely audible. “If you calm yourself and listen, you might hear something beyond the wind.”Barrett tried to focus, but apart from the wind, he heard nothing.His skills were not on par with Carissa’s, and his inner force was minimal. How could he hear any movement in the mountains, especially with such a strong wind? It was impossible to discern the presence of nearly a hundred thousand people.He suspected Carissa was being evasive, and his frustration grew. “What justice are they seeking?”“Use your brain. Why would a hundred thousand soldiers stay in the mountains without retreating? Why capture Aurora? And why come to the Southern Frontier after signing the treaty?”After saying this, Carissa walke
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 125
Night fell, and the Westhaven army descended from the mountain. When the troops began to move, Carissa and Violet knew about it and exchanged glances.Carissa stood up, and issued a command, "Everyone, stay alert! Weapons at the ready."The entire Mystic Army rose to their feet. Holding their shields and weapons in hand, they swiftly moved into their battle formation.The Westhaven soldiers moved quickly, descending the mountain in three parallel columns. The soldiers at the front held torches, with one torchbearer every ten men to provide illumination.The mountain was icy, making their rapid descent risky. A single slip could cause a disastrous chain reaction. Yet, they moved with remarkable steadiness, clearly wearing specially designed footwear.Westhaven was a wealthy and powerful kingdom, and its troops were showcasing its financial might at this moment. Their actions served as a stark reminder to the Starhaven soldiers that engaging in large-scale warfare with Westhaven wou
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1550
Grace seemed momentarily taken aback, her grip tightening on the handkerchief. "What is it, Your Grace? Do not hesitate to speak plainly.""Not long ago, the harem was abuzz with rumors. First, it was said that Lady Sylvia was responsible for Lady Jeanette's miscarriage. Then, the rumor shifted, claiming it was Queen Kylie. You've overseen the harem for so long, Lady Grace. You must have some idea of where these rumors originated and who might have spread them, yes?" Carissa asked.Caught off guard by the question, Grace's sorrowful expression stiffened for a moment as she exchanged a furtive glance with Lyra. But she quickly masked the slip and regained her composure."The palace has always been rife with gossip. There is no need to dwell on such matters. Perhaps you might focus on the investigation into Prince Connor's murder, Your Grace?" she replied."The queen dowager has ordered me to investigate thoroughly, starting from Lady Jeanette's miscarriage. So, while the case of Pri
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1549
Carissa paid a visit to Jeanette.Though the concubine did not explicitly say that Sylvia was responsible for the loss of her child, she did remark, "Those who commit wicked deeds will always face retribution. No one can escape it."The words seemed not only directed at Sylvia, but also at Kylie.As Carissa prepared to leave after questioning her, Jeanette suddenly spoke up, asking, "Your Grace, was it truly impossible to save Prince Connor?"Carissa assumed Jeanette's words were born of sympathy for Connor. But when she glanced at the concubine, she saw no trace of sorrow in her eyes, only a subtle glint of something resembling satisfaction.It was an emotion she clearly tried to conceal but could not, as though Jeanette had achieved a long-sought revenge. Carissa chose not to respond, instead turning on her heel to leave.Kylie had caused Jeanette's loss, so it was no surprise that she wouldn't wish for Connor's recovery.Carissa couldn't fault Jeanette for her feelings. How c
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1548
Kylie had always looked down on Grace.The latter's family lacked distinction, and her beauty could scarcely be considered remarkable. Her rise to the position of higher-ranked concubine seemed nothing more than the result of fortunate circumstances, particularly her giving birth to Caden.Kylie guessed that Grace also must be aware of her limited connections and support, which was why she had long exercised caution and humility. However, there were times when she could not resist harboring a few selfish thoughts. Yet, she dared not plot too aggressively.Such had been the case when Grace had sheltered Jeanette—likely in an attempt to solidify her position and strengthen her influence in the harem by using the other woman as a pawn. Despite Grace's attentions, Jeanette had remained ungrateful, resenting the way she constantly placed Caden in Salvador's presence.Grace always had a habit of making things harder for herself, which was why Kylie had never held her in much regard.Now
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1547
Sitting in front of her vanity table, Sylvia suddenly recalled that the dress she had once asked her mother to order from Camila had been delivered. She had intended to wear it at the New Year's Eve banquet.The dress was a rich shade of sunset yellow, embroidered with delicate camellia flower blossoms. Charming and vivid, the hem of the skirt flowed in graceful waves, the brightness of its color giving it an air of both beauty and refinement.Sylvia asked Heidi to bring the dress over and help her into it. She gazed into the mirror, entranced by her own reflection. While doing so, she noted that although she looked a little haggard, she remained as stunning as ever. Her skin was still pale and smooth, free from the slightest sign of age or fatigue.Her slender, pale fingers traced the intricate embroidery as she murmured softly to herself, "Ms. Moore's needlework is indeed extraordinary. This dress surpasses even the finest dress I own. How truly exquisite."Heidi knelt at her sid
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1546
The next morning, Rafael announced Connor’s death, leaving the entire court in shock and mourning."His Majesty is overcome with grief and has fallen ill. For the next few days, matters regarding the kingdom will be handled by myself and Mr. Murray. The arrangements for Prince Connor's funeral will be overseen by the Royal Management Department and the Protocol Department," Rafael said solemnly.Malcolm staggered, barely keeping his balance. His eyes were bloodshot from a sleepless night. Even though he had mentally prepared himself, the news still hit him hard.The news reached the inner palace at the same time. Since returning last night, Kylie had been wailing inconsolably, demanding to see Connor. Upon hearing the dreadful news, she fainted once more. Thankfully, a royal physician had been stationed at Everspring Palace and was able to revive her.Once the queen was conscious again, her screams echoed throughout the entire area.At Iridescent Palace, Grace felt a mix of relief
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1545
Salvador announced his decision before asking Rafael about the investigation.The king knew the colt wouldn't go wild for no reason. He had asked about the horses before—some had a bit of a temper, but the children had already tamed them.Rafael didn't hide anything and handed over the caltrop. "Someone placed this under the saddle. When the saddle was empty, the thorn caused only a mild discomfort to the horse. But once Prince Connor got on, the sharp spikes stabbed into the horse's flesh, causing it to go berserk from the pain."Salvador's gaze grew cold as he looked at Carissa. "Did no one inspect the saddles beforehand?"Carissa hurriedly responded, "Your Majesty, we checked thoroughly. The horses were under constant guard, and aside from the three princes and Ryan, no one was allowed near them. They led their own horses; no one else handled them during the journey."Victoria's expression was equally grim. "I gave strict orders to the guards. The horses, the three princes, and
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1544
Salvador's question hung heavy in the air, and for a long moment, Sebastian remained silent. His brow furrowed as he pondered, considering every possibility, weighing the odds.The only sounds that filled the room were strained, shallow breaths and the pounding of hearts, creating a silence so profound it was suffocating and seemed to echo with despair.At last, Sebastian slowly said, "There isn't really a solution. At best, there's a desperate gamble. But the chances of success… are very, very low.""Tell us. Just say it," Victoria urged, even more anxious than Salvador.Sebastian let out a deep sigh. "Even this gamble depends on him surviving the next three days. If he makes it through, I'll take him to Eldermere Keep. There, we will soak him in a brew made from the Everbind Herb, which grows only on those grounds. It might save his life. But the chances are slim. He may not last long enough to even get there.""Can't we gather the Everbind Herb and bring it here? How would we m
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1543
Connor was transferred to a smaller palace within the royal gardens. It was impossible to return him to the main palace at the moment, with the only choice being to treat him nearby.As for his condition, everyone could guess by looking at Sebastian's face. It seemed like it wasn't looking good.Rafael had the room cleared of any unnecessary witnesses, though he did not yet report the findings of the investigation. There were still questions to be answered, and the search for answers continued.All the concubines, as well as Kylie, returned to the main palace. The queen had initially refused to leave her son's side, adamant in her decision to stay with him. But upon seeing Connor's condition, she fainted once more. It was then that Salvador gave the order to have her escorted away.Ryan had also resisted leaving. He wouldn't abandon his friend, no matter the circumstances, and insisted on remaining at his side. Seeing the boy's resolve, Rafael allowed him to stay.Salvador remaine
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1542
The guards were unable to restrain Kylie, who rushed past the partition screens. One glance at her blood-soaked son was enough to make her release a piercing scream of horror before collapsing in a faint.Thankfully, royal physicians were also present. The servants quickly ushered the queen out, allowing a royal physician to attend to her. Once revived, Kylie's sobs were unrestrained, her cries echoing with raw anguish.Leading some men, Rafael took swift action to restore order. He intercepted the frenzied horse and set the wheels of investigation in motion, determined to uncover what had caused such madness.Inside the makeshift room, Salvador knelt beside Connor. As his trembling hands gently brushed the bloodied face of his son, his palms became stained with crimson.Telling the king to move aside, Sebastian quickly administered needle treatment, meant to simply keep Connor alive for a little longer. The priority now was to stop the bleeding in the eldest prince's head.The bo
