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Chapter 142
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 143
Aurora froze for a moment, then snapped, "Who said that? Who said I was defiled?""Just answer the question," Rebecca said, her face turning dark with anger. "Word has already spread all over town. Who needs to ask? Everyone is talking about it!"Aurora hadn't expected news of the Southern Frontier events to reach the capital. Her mind went blank.She raised her voice defensively, "I wasn't defiled. Yes, I was captured, but I only endured physical suffering. My purity remains intact."Jonathan interjected, "Then, you should find someone to vouch for you. Weren't there others with you when you were captured? They can testify for you."Aurora's frustration grew as she thought about her cousin and the other soldiers. Barrett had questioned them, but they all claimed ignorance. They had all been locked up together in the wooden hut, so how could they not know?Their claims of ignorance led Barrett and everyone else to believe that Aurora had been defiled.Unable to find anyone to pr
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 144
After hearing Jonathan's words, Rebecca began to seriously consider the possibility.Carissa was now the esteemed young lady of a duke's family. If Barrett married her, he would immediately inherit a title. Rebecca had considered this before, but at the time, she believed Aurora and Barrett could forge a successful career together.In that case, why bother letting her son be the subject of public gossip? But what was the difference between that and what they were facing now?With the scandal surrounding Aurora, there was no shortage of gossip. A defiled woman tarnished the family name and jeopardized the marriage prospects of the younger relatives. If Barrett inherited a title, at least the marriages of Bryan and Serena could be given some consideration due to the prestige of the duke's household.Moreover, if Carissa returned, the vast wealth she brought with her would also return. The Warren family had been impoverished lately; they couldn't even afford medicine. Plus, Carissa wa
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 145
Moreover, if Carissa agreed to come back, that would be fine. But if she refused, it would be quite embarrassing!After considering, Rebecca decided, "Let's send Charlotte first. If she refuses, we'll think of another way."Rebecca was unwilling to go herself. If Carissa were to truly reconcile with Barrett, Rebecca wouldn't be able to maintain her position as a strict mother-in-law. The Warren family already had enough trouble with Aurora—they couldn't afford to have another difficult situation.-While Rebecca was mulling over her predicament, Carissa had already gone to Serenity Palace to meet Victoria.The empress dowager was in her early fifties, but she had taken very good care of herself. Despite a few wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, she appeared youthful. Her black hair was speckled with a few strands of white, but they were not very noticeable.She exuded an air of grandeur and elegance, and her demeanor became even more gentle and approachable when she looked at Ca
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 146
Victoria's voice was choked with emotion.When Carissa was very young, she often accompanied Melanie to the palace. At that time, Victoria was still the queen consort.Victoria and Melanie's most frequent topic of conversation was that women should strive for themselves, and not spend their entire lives being subservient to men. They should have their own thoughts and live their lives to the fullest.Whenever this topic came up, Victoria would sigh, saying that she was trapped within the high walls of the harem. Though it appeared she lived a life of luxury and wealth, it was also a life without freedom.Melanie would agree, saying that women didn't necessarily have to marry and bear children; they could also venture into the world and carve out their own path.That was why, when Carissa was seven, she was allowed to leave home and join the Pathfinders Guild to learn martial arts. With the skills to defend herself, she could explore the world without fearing for her safety.In an
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 147
Liam was indeed admirable. But if Westhaven's second prince seized the throne and discovered the truth behind the crown prince's death, he might not hesitate to send troops to Victory Pass again. The man was a warmonger, and Liam couldn’t restrain him.After discussing these frustrating matters, the conversation shifted to Carissa and her friends. Salvador was quite pleased, and praised Carissa highly.Looking at Rafael, Salvador said, "I have already spoken with the queen about bringing Carissa into the palace as a concubine."Rafael was still worried about the succession struggle in Westhaven, so he nodded absentmindedly. "Good... Wait, what?"He sprang to his feet, instantly sober despite all the alcohol he had consumed. His eyes widened in shock as he stared at Salvador. "Salvador, did you say you want Carissa to enter the palace as a concubine?""Why are you so agitated?" Salvador gave him a sideways glance. "She has now achieved military merit and is the legitimate daughte
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 148
Amidst the myriad of thoughts swirling in Rafael's mind, one thing stood out: under no circumstances could he allow Salvador to take Carissa into the harem as a concubine. Even if she wasn't riding on the battlefield, a woman like Carissa shouldn't be confined within the deep palace walls."Salvador, she can't enter the palace. I won't allow it! She is under my command; you cannot just take her away without even asking her opinion," Rafael argued."That's not a valid reason," Salvador countered. "She has just come out of such a miserable marriage. At the very least, give her time to recover and rebuild her confidence in men. We should care for her feelings, not forcibly take her..."Salvador looked at Rafael, his gaze hardening. "Do you fight wars like this? Letting the enemy recover? Caring for the enemy's feelings?"Rafael didn't back down. "She's not the enemy."His battlefield ferocity seemed to have returned as he stood before Salvador. He made no secret of his desire to
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 149
After drinking some water and waiting for the alcohol to wear off, Derek accompanied Salvador to the royal chapel. Derek asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, you don't really intend to take Lady Sinclair as a concubine, do you?"Salvador gave him a sidelong glance. "Do you think I would actually steal a woman from my own brother? Even if I did have such thoughts, my mother wouldn't agree. She and Melanie were as close as sisters. How could she allow Carissa to become a concubine?"Derek chuckled. "I knew it. You were just trying to push them a little, Your Majesty. How could you bear to confine Lady Sinclair within the palace walls?"As he spoke, he stole a glance at Salvador. Though Derek was smiling, there was a hint of worry in his expression.Salvador sighed. "When Hector died in battle, Rafael went to Northwatch Estate before going to the Southern Frontier battlefield as ordered. He asked Melanie to wait for him, promising to propose to Carissa once he reclaimed the Southern F
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 150
When Carissa woke up, it was already noon the next day. She could have slept longer, but a summons from the palace required her presence, forcing her to get up.As she yawned and got ready, she asked, "Lulu, have Violet and the others woken up yet?""Not yet, they're still sleeping," Lulu replied. She had spent the night on the soft couch in Carissa's room, feeling at ease being close to her mistress."Don't wake them. Let them sleep as long as they need. Even if they sleep for three days and nights, just let them be," Carissa said, understanding how exhausted they were. She herself felt like she could sleep until the next day.Lulu finished braiding Carissa's hair, and placed a jeweled hairpin in it. Seeing the dark circles under Carissa's eyes, she felt a pang of sympathy. "Got it. Mr. Carter also told me that. He said when the late master and young masters returned from the battlefield, they were similarly exhausted and slept for days," Lulu replied."Good." Carissa nodded, s
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1362
Hayden clenched his fists, his anger and helplessness tightening his chest as he followed behind.The physician worked quickly, examining Sonny's injuries. Both of his legs were broken, three of his teeth were knocked out, and his face was riddled with fractures. Despite the pain that twisted his expression, he still grinned at Hayden, forcing a smile through gritted teeth.He tried to assure Hayden with a look that said he would be fine.Hayden turned away, his heart aching. The man who had stood by his side for so many years now lay in such a state. Fury surged within him, but there was nothing he could do.Back in Nerovia, he had ordered an extra emblem to be made, just in case the day ever came when Nicholas stole the original to mobilize Hayden's forces. If Hayden noticed in time, someone could use the duplicate emblem to stop Nicholas.Hayden hadn't expected it to serve its purpose this way, though.The chaos of the riverworks project was swiftly quelled. Cameron was arrest
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1361
As dawn broke, Adrian led them to the Glimmering Tower. It was then that Carissa realized they weren't the only ones who had arrived—many guild leaders and elders were present as well. Even Violet and Bun's mentor had come.When Violet spotted her mentor Conrad, she gasped in surprise and rushed toward him. "Sage Conrad, what brings you here? You didn't even send word beforehand!"Conrad smiled warmly as he looked at his beloved apprentice, indulgence in his voice. "I heard you were guarding the capital. Naturally, I had to come and lend you a hand.""Sage Conrad, you're too kind. I'll get another villa for you once we're done here," Violet said, linking her arm with his, grinning widely.Conrad scowled lightly, feigning annoyance. "Why would I need more villas from you? No more, I tell you. However, I did hear about a hot spring at Solitude Peak. I thought of buying it, so your fellow apprentices can soak and strengthen their bodies."Violet nodded enthusiastically. "I'll buy i
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1360
The black-clad assailants' Lightfoot Skills were extraordinary, and they scattered in all directions. Adrian could have pursued one of them, but catching all of them was impossible.However, he chose not to pursue anyone at all. Emerging from the shadows, his hand darted out and grabbed Carissa by the ear, twisting it until she yelped in pain. "So bold of you, wasn't it? To engage without proper defenses? Do you think you're invincible? Haven't you heard the saying that there's always someone stronger out there?"Carissa shrieked and flailed in protest as the lamps were lit by Jacob, illuminating the courtyard and revealing the bloodstains on everyone's bodies.Only then did Adrian notice the wounds on Carissa. Yet instead of softening, his grip on her ear tightened, and he hissed, "You couldn't guess what Nicholas was planning? And you didn't think to write for reinforcements from Meadow Ridge? Are you so arrogant now that you've forgotten basic caution? Just wait until your mart
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1359
Hayden gestured for her to lower the sword. "Not tonight. Neither side is ready."Chaya frowned, confused. "Why? Didn't you say Mr. Russell was formidable? If he's taking action, surely he can capture Prince Nicholas?""He won't capture him," Hayden replied, rubbing his temples. "General Farrell has Valken surrounded, but he hasn't launched an attack because he knows Mr. Murphy has already undermined Prince Yuvan's authority. "A portion of Valken's population has joined the so-called rebel forces. If the capital falls now, the officials in Valken and Nerovia will find an excuse, under the court's banner, to slaughter the townsfolk. That would spark even larger uprisings. That's why Lady Carissa can't act prematurely."Chaya hastily tossed the sword aside. "And why isn't it the right time for Prince Nicholas, then?""It's simple," Hayden said. "He needs Mr. Murphy to first defeat General Farrell in a decisive victory. Once General Farrell is dealt with, he'll move on to General Mu
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1358
By the early hours of the morning, the rain had lessened to a gentle drizzle, leaving the air cooler and the night more serene. The quiet respite lulled many into a deeper, more peaceful sleep.Seven or eight shadowy figures darted through the curfewed city, their movements light and swift. They barely left a trace as they touched down on rooftops, their steps silent.They arrived at the Capital Guard headquarters. The outer guards had already retreated for the night, leaving only Carissa and her companions waiting in the main hall, tense and alert.With a quick exchange of glances, the group gripped their weapons. The assassins had arrived!The dim light of the hall flickered, and as the black-clad figures descended, a gust of wind extinguished the lamps. Darkness enveloped the room, plunging it into an impenetrable black where even an outstretched hand became invisible.Amid the darkness, the faint sound of breathing and the subtle rhythm of movements became the only clues to
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1357
The damp, oppressive heat of summer seemed to weigh heavily on the spirit, stoking an inexplicable irritation in the air.Hayden, clearly affected by the weather, barely touched his dinner. After a few cursory bites, he set his cutlery down and announced that he was heading back to the study to practice his calligraphy to clear his mind. He gestured for Chaya to follow, and the two left the room.Before departing, Chaya made sure to take two heaping plates of snacks with her. After all, she wasn't about to let herself go hungry.Nicholas, still in his Gordon disguise, watched Hayden leave but made no move to stop him. It didn't matter where Hayden went—his every step was being monitored. Besides, Nicholas had far more pressing matters to attend to tonight.Back in his room, Nicholas locked the door behind him and methodically prepared for the night's mission. He changed into his stealth attire, then sat before a mirror. Opening a small wooden box on the table, he revealed an array
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
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 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
