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Chapter 1532
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1533
Connor clutched the tree with both hands and leaned forward, pressing his face against its rough surface.His eyes were clouded with confusion as he murmured, "I don't know. My mom has always been good to me, but that one time… my stomach hurt so terribly. It was so bad that it made me wish for death itself."Connor turned to Ryan and asked, "Does Aunt Carissa treat you well?"The eldest prince knew that his friend's mother had passed away. In the past, Connor would have spoken of such things without hesitation, but he was more sensible now. Also, Ryan was an important friend to him, and he didn't want to bring up anything that made him sad.Victoria had often spoken of the importance of true friendship—the care and respect it entailed."Aunt Carissa is very good to me, especially so," Ryan responded."Then, do you think she would ever poison you for some purpose? Regardless of whether you were in pain until you wished for death?" Connor asked.Ryan didn't even need to consider
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1534
Salvador's grand birthday celebration was set to take place in the royal gardens. The Royal Management Department had long since prepared everything, eagerly awaiting the day.On the 25th of December, the princes, including Cecil, were still hard at training.Cecil needed to be lifted onto his horse, but he made up for it with sheer courage. Following Rafael's instructions, he gripped the reins and urged his horse into a gallop. Of course, Rafael had arranged for someone to follow closely behind, just in case anything went wrong.Connor and Caden had already mastered the required skills. Galloping on horseback was no challenge for them, especially since they weren't riding towering stallions but smaller, gentler chestnut ponies, which were easier to handle.After they trained until late into the night, Rafael went over the key points for the next day's event, as well as how to handle emergencies. Just as he finished, Grace sent someone to fetch her son.Caden had hoped to join the
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1535
At his mother's words, Caden went pale and instinctively clutched his stomach.Yet his mind was filled with memories of recent days—studying and training alongside his brothers and Ryan. Though the lessons were grueling, they encouraged one another and offered comfort in their shared hardships.He hesitated, then asked, "Mom, perhaps it was all a misunderstanding? Connor and I… we're getting along well now."Grace let out a long sigh, her gaze filled with both sorrow and tenderness. "Finish your supper first, my dear. When you're done, I shall take you somewhere.""Where are we going?" Caden asked."Eat first," Grace replied gently. "Once you have finished, you shall see."She remained seated beside him, attending to him with quiet patience, though she exchanged a subtle glance with Lyra.As a sense of unease crept into Caden's heart, his chewing slowed. His thoughts weighed heavily upon him. He had long known that he and his elder brother were destined to compete for the title
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1536
The caltrop was placed into Caden's trembling hands. Examining it carefully, he realized there was no mistake—it was the very one Cecil had once played with."As they have treated you, so must you treat them in return," Grace whispered in his ear, sending a shudder down his spine.In a panic, Caden flung the caltrop away.Grace retrieved it herself, then took her son's small, icy hand in hers and led him away."The fact that I no longer hold authority in the harem has emboldened Queen Kylie," she said. "She believes she may act against you without consequences. But she is mistaken. I still have people loyal to me placed everywhere. The moment I uncovered their treachery, I had them brought here for questioning. You saw it with your own eyes, and you know the man—he is from Everspring Palace."Caden's mind was in turmoil, torn between fear and distress.Kylie wished him dead. But did his elder brother wish that as well? Had all their kindness merely been an elaborate pretense?C
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1537
With so much on her mind, Grace couldn't sleep. She rose, pulling a shawl over her shoulders, and walked with Lyra to Caden's chambers.Silently, she dismissed the attendants keeping watch over him for the night. Taking a seat by his bedside, her gaze fell upon her son's delicate, youthful face. He seemed to be having a nightmare. Even with his eyes closed, she could feel the fear emanating from him.She let out a quiet sigh, a flicker of vexation rising within her.Asher—that was the middle name Trevor had chosen for Caden, one meant to instill virtue and teach him kindness and humility. But in truth, it was a name meant to make him docile, to mold him into a man who would yield and never fight, forever content in the shadow of others.Why should he settle for that?Her son had every advantage but birthright. In every way, he surpassed Kylie's son.It was not that Grace wished to fight, but without a fight, there was no survival.Kylie was narrow-minded, selfish to the extreme,
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1538
At dawn, Connor and Ryan rose with high spirits, brimming with confidence.In stark contrast, Caden appeared weary and drained, his dark circles more pronounced than ever after having been tormented throughout the night.Nightmare after nightmare had plagued him. One had consisted of visions of his own severed head rolling across the floor, pools of blood staining the ground. In another dream, Connor lay before him with both legs shattered, his agonized screams echoing through the darkness. He also dreamed of the tortured chamberlain, the man's words playing over and over in his mind.Whether in sleep or while awake, terror clung to Caden, leaving him trembling uncontrollably.Grace arrived with Lyra to personally dress him. As she helped him into his formal attire, she spoke softly, coaxing him and reminding him of what had to be done today. She soothed his nerves, assuring him that Connor would not die.As she saw Caden's expression ease, she pressed on, painting a grand vision
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1539
The stables had already been thoroughly inspected. The horses were fed and groomed, ready for the day's festivities. The four children chattered excitedly, each tending to their own mount while exchanging lively remarks about the grand occasion.Despite Sylvia's fall from favor, Cecil seemed entirely unaffected. His face was bright with a cheerful smile.Naturally, Sylvia was present as well. No matter how she was treated within the harem, she remained, in the eyes of the public, Cecil's mother and an esteemed concubine of the kingdom.However, Jeanette had been too unwell to make the journey and had remained behind.Leading their horses out for a short ride, Cecil decided to test himself. Previously, he had always required assistance to mount. Today, he attempted the feat alone. To his delight, he succeeded in swinging himself onto his horse's back without aid.His face lit up with triumph. "Connor, Caden, Ryan! Look at me! I did it all by myself!"His exuberance was infectious.
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1540
Carissa was especially busy today. Her presence was felt throughout the palace grounds, as she hurriedly moved from one task to the next. Now, she was back at the racetrack, overseeing the arrangements and ensuring everything was in order.The equestrian competition was set to begin shortly. A large group of military officers and young men from noble families had already gathered outside the track. All of them held their horses, eagerly awaiting their turn.The event itself was straightforward—each rider was to complete three laps around the track. At intervals, two-foot-high hurdles would be placed in their path, and each rider would need to leap their horse over the barriers without knocking them down. The winner would be the first to complete all three laps.In truth, calling it a "competition" was somewhat of an exaggeration.For well-trained horses and skilled riders, the two-foot barriers posed little challenge. But the height had been chosen specifically for the three royal
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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
