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Chapter 1348

Author: Summer's Blaze
Hayden let out a cold grunt. He deliberately turned his face away, refusing to look at Nicholas.

Nicholas stood tall and elegant, though he wore Gordon's face.

In a calm and steady tone, he said, "I will fulfill my promises to you. The riverworks project will be completed. There will be no senseless bloodshed, no harm to the people of the capital, no destruction of crops. And rest assured, Dad, I will not let you die. Once I claim the throne, I promise you, you will be the one to ascend to the royal seat."

Hayden scoffed, the derision in his voice unmistakable. "You really are the picture of a devoted son."

Nicholas' gaze remained steady, his words sincere. "I have vowed, and I will keep my word. You will sit on the throne, ruling over all. No more threats from Sandoria, no more stagnation at the borders with Westhaven. The people will prosper, and Starhaven will flourish."

Hayden spat contemptuously. "You, an ungrateful traitor working with Sandoria and Westhaven, have the audac
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  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1349

    Hayden stood frozen, staring at the shards of his broken cup scattered on the floor. The pieces weren't particularly sharp, but they were enough to tear through skin, perhaps even slit a wrist.Slowly, he bent down and picked up a fragment. His mind was lost in a haze of dark thoughts.Before he could move further, a hand gripped his wrist, pulling him back sharply. "Be careful, Your Highness. You'll cut yourself."The sudden pain in his wrist was sharp as the grip tightened. The shard was swiftly taken from his hand.The man who had appeared was dressed in black, his silhouette swallowed by the shadows, as if part of the darkness itself. Hayden had no idea how many people like this were in his household. Everywhere he went, the sense of being watched clung to him.These people were more than just skilled. Their martial arts were advanced, and their inner force was formidable. They wielded weapons and hidden blades with frightening precision. Even when Hayden was with Violet a

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1350

    Today was Adrian's birthday, but Everett insisted that it wasn't.It didn't really matter, though. Since Adrian wanted a lively celebration, he had sent out invitations a few days ago to the Meadow Ridge factions and a few of the more amicable martial arts guilds. Over 30 seats were set for the feast.Everett personally took charge of the event, as he handled most matters within the Pathfinders Guild. He didn't mind putting in the effort, but what bothered him was the stipulation his martial brother had made in the invitation—no birthday gifts. That was a bit much.The Pathfinders Guild had money, certainly, but it wasn't meant to be squandered so carelessly. When they went to other people's banquets or birthday celebrations, they never went empty-handed. There were always gifts and tokens of goodwill.But Adrian, a man who had more money than sense, couldn't stand being idle without finding an excuse to spend a little. He would never pass up an opportunity to splurge.What stru

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1351

    The Pathfinders Guild was known for its strict selection of apprentices, so Adrian's true apprentices were few—15 in total, including those who had long since left the guild.The apprentices who left did not betray the guild. Rather, each had their own path to follow.Adrian was not rigid. He allowed his apprentices to pursue their own desires, as long as their actions did not harm the common people or the innocent.Only a few days ago, Adrian had sent messages by carrier pigeon to those former apprentices. Now accomplished in their own rights, they would all return to the capital at his summons, to assist their youngest martial sister.There were other apprentices in the guild, but they were not Adrian's personal apprentices. They were, however, called apprentices out of respect. Adrian occasionally gave them guidance, but their martial training was primarily overseen by the guild's two senior martial elders. On rare occasions, Adrian's direct apprentices would step in to help.T

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1352

    For several days, Carissa had attended the court meetings. In doing so, she began to understand the truth behind Jeremiah's words—that in matters of state, everyone had their own opinion, each with its own merit. The debates went on endlessly, with no clear direction given. Arguments were made for and against, yet nothing was resolved.Carissa felt she could no longer be a part of these discussions. Over the past few days, she had been swept up in the tide of conflicting opinions, unsure of which step to take next.Moreover, Salvador's health had not improved. He continued to cough persistently, trying to hold his composure despite his weakening body. Some people took advantage of the situation and suggested it was time to designate the crown prince. It was brought up by a group of young officials, students of Malcolm, who had been won over by Kylie. They had been working hard to support Connor. Seeing Salvador's worsening health and the growing troubles both inside and outside

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1353

    News arrived from Nerovia—the imposter posing as Nicholas had been uncovered. It turned out he was just a common man, someone who bore a striking resemblance to Nicholas. After being noticed by Nicholas, he had been taken in and trained to mimic his every move.After Nicholas left Nerovia, this man had assumed his identity, visiting the places Nicholas was known to frequent. This explained why earlier investigations had suggested that Nicholas rarely left his fief. In reality, he had long since disguised himself and moved about freely."Has the man been secured?" Carissa asked quickly."Don't worry, he's been taken care of," Jacob replied.Carissa let out a small sigh of relief. "Good. Prince Nicholas cannot appear in Nerovia again. I've come to understand his intentions. He's been hiding under the guise of Gordon, sending orders from Willowbrook Estate. Everyone would believe that the so-called rebel leader is Prince Hayden. Meanwhile, Prince Nicholas would have been known to be i

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1354

    After the group entered the city, Michael was momentarily distracted by another merchant caravan arriving at the gates. He made sure to inspect them thoroughly, confirming that there were no issues before allowing them to pass.As he turned back, he noticed the merchant caravan was following closely behind the group he had just checked. Among them, a familiar figure caught his eye—a figure whose silhouette seemed unmistakable. It resembled Carissa's martial uncle from the Pathfinders Guild.The man's name was Everett, if Michael recalled correctly. But then again, the face didn't match. He thought about it for a moment, but the resemblance was only in the figure. The features—absolutely not. Still, Michael felt uneasy and decided it was worth investigating further.He instructed a few men to follow the caravan and watch for any unusual activity. An hour later, they reported back that the group had settled in a manor on Eastland Avenue. That area was known for being home to powerfu

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1355

    Adrian had also brought a cannon with him, though it had to remain outside the city for now. It couldn't be transported in just yet. This cannon, an improvement on the red canon of Nerathia, was the same one that had destroyed Everett's courtyard back then.In a few days, nearly all the martial factions that had been invited to Adrian's birthday banquet would arrive, each disguised in various ways. Knowing that martial artists would be thoroughly questioned at the city gates, they all decided to change their appearances completely.Adrian had specifically chosen people from Coldmoon Guild to keep watch at the Capital Guard headquarters and Hell Monarch Estate in shifts. There was a reason for this. The people from Coldmoon Guild rarely moved within the martial world, and they seldom visited the capital. Nicholas' men likely had never encountered them, which made them perfect for keeping Carissa safe without drawing suspicion.Adrian was certain that Nicholas' next move would be to

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1356

    By evening, tensions finally erupted.The Waterworks Department had stationed soldiers to oversee the workers, ensuring work continued on schedule. Yesterday's heavy rain had halted all progress, but with today's rare overcast skies and no rain, Cameron ordered the workers to make up for lost time. In fact, he demanded they finish the project three days ahead of schedule.The workers were already agitated, and they refused. Tempers flared, and heated arguments broke out between them and the Waterworks Department officials. In a fit of rage, Cameron picked up a club and struck one of the workers. That single blow ignited an uncontrollable fury among the workers. Over a hundred men turned on the officials, attacking them in a chaotic melee.Fortunately, Carissa had already stationed people nearby to keep an eye on the situation. Word was immediately sent to Max.Max was wary, suspecting this might be a calculated ploy by Nicholas. However, based on their investigation, not all th

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  • 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

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1575

    On the 13th day of winter, Salvador suddenly woke up feeling clearer than before. Saying he was hungry, he specifically asked for beef stew and milk pastries.Derek hurried to make the necessary arrangements. When the food arrived, Octavia sat by the bed as she had done many times before, ready to feed him. But Salvador insisted he wanted to sit up to eat himself.Derek gently helped the king sit up, placing a soft cushion behind him to support his back. Salvador had grown so thin that he seemed to be nothing but skin and bones. His body slouched as he sat, so Derek had to kneel beside the bed, holding his waist to keep him steady.Salvador finished an entire bowl of stew, eating it all without leaving a single bit behind. Then, he picked up a small milk pastry. But after a bite, he felt a little nauseous, so he didn't eat any more.Sebastian sent word to Victoria. After a brief conversation, her face turned pale and tears started to fall almost immediately. Though she had tried to

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1574

    Once back at the palace, Salvador was unable to rise from his bed. Sebastian spoke briefly with him, hinting that he didn't have much time left. If there was anyone he wished to see, it should be done as soon as possible.The first person Salvador wanted to see was, of course, Victoria."That child… When he saw me, he couldn't stop asking about you. You didn't love him in vain, Mom," Salvador murmured, his voice weak.Victoria sighed deeply. "How cruel... his life must be lived hidden away in the mountains, never able to leave. Is there truly no hope for his legs?""I believe there is no hope," Salvador replied softly, his lips pale and drained of color. "But as I was leaving, he said, 'Dad, once I've learned enough medicine, I'll cure you. I'll make you better.'"Victoria's heart ached. "What a good child."Salvador's gaze drifted to the ceiling, his voice barely a whisper as he repeated, "Yes, he is a good child."After speaking with Victoria, Salvador asked Rafael to bring in

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1573

    Salvador had temporarily settled at Eldermere Keep. The place was filled with every kind of medicine, yet his illness had reached a point where no remedy could ease his suffering.Still, staying there brought him peace. It was as if he had finally set down a heavy burden and could now live as an ordinary father. He spent each day with his son, sharing simple moments together.Carissa was allowed to visit and spend some time with Connor. He asked her about Ryan, specifically inquiring whether he had made any new friends."Ryan has no other friends but you. He always thinks about you," she reassured with a smile, thinking the eldest prince might be jealous.Connor was quiet for a long while, his expression tinged with guilt. Finally, with a deep sadness in his eyes, he softly said, "I have friends now, like Otto. Ryan should have his own friends too. I always think about him, but... I don't think I'll ever see him again."Carissa gently patted his head and smiled. "The future is lon

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1572

    After the sun set behind the mountains, the temperature began to drop. Salvador had been carried up the mountain, but now, he was carrying Connor on his back as they made their way back into the estate.Connor had his arms tightly wrapped around Salvador's thin shoulders, and he couldn't stop the tears from falling. This was a scene he had never even dared to dream of. Not only had he never imagined being carried by his father, but even something as simple as having his father gently pat his head had always seemed like an impossible wish.But his father was so thin; there was no flesh on his back at all. How had he become so frail?Carissa and the others waited outside the gates. Not even Galen had been allowed in. Only Salvador's most loyal attendants, those who had carried the litter, were permitted to enter. The others, of course, were kept away from Connor. They all believed that Salvador had come to Eldermere Keep solely to recover from his illness.The estate itself was full

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