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Chapter 166
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 167
Rafael had secluded himself, refusing visitors for several days. During this time, many would-be guests had come knocking. However, he was unwilling to see any of them.When he left the palace, he put aside his usual cheerful demeanor with his elder brother. Rafael understood the meaning behind the royal edict.The order was clear: Carissa must marry within three months, or she would have to enter the palace as a concubine. Salvador was forcing him to make a choice.The jests and scoldings exchanged in the palace's study weren’t just idle chatter; each word carried hidden intentions.Whether Carissa entered the palace was of no real concern to Salvador. It was a matter of showcasing his power—whether to allow her to remain free or to summon her to the palace was just a matter of issuing an edict.Years earlier, Salvador had known of Rafael's feelings for Carissa. Before Rafael headed to the Southern Frontier battlefield, he had approached Melanie, asking her to delay Carissa’s m
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 168
Rafael often reminisced about the past when he and Salvador shared an open, candid relationship. In those days, any advice or guidance Salvador had to offer was direct and straightforward, without any need for deception.Luke recalled something, and said, "Your Highness, by His Majesty's grace, your mother will be moving into the estate in a few days. I’ve already arranged for Elysian Hall to be cleaned and furnished according to her specifications. The total cost came to thirty thousand silver coins."Rafael furrowed his brow. "Thirty thousand silver coins? What kind of furniture costs that much?"He decided to visit Elysian Hall himself. When he arrived, he saw that various types of peonies had been planted in the garden, and a special greenhouse had been constructed. Though it was unnecessary in the summer, it would be useful in winter.Rafael's frown deepened. "Have all the orchids been removed?"Luke followed behind Rafael, and answered cautiously, "They’ve all been relocated
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 169
Two days later, Dylan and Rafael's strategist, Jacob York, returned.It was raining heavily earlier, so Jacob had changed into a fresh set of clothes before he hurried to the study to see Rafael.Jacob was direct and to the point. “The king's intention is to strip you of your military command. Since you’re willing to relinquish it, then let it go. However, you mustn’t allow your marriage to be used as leverage. “The king knows you once sought to marry Lady Sinclair. He wants to use her as compensation, to ease his own conscience. However, I believe it is unnecessary. Once you surrender your command, request him to retract his edict. Whether or not you marry Lady Sinclair should be a matter between you and her, not tainted by the royal family's interference. “If the king inserts himself into the matter, it will complicate things and turn it into something more than just a marriage. Both you and Lady Sinclair will be put in a very awkward position.”Marriage should be purely abo
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 170
Jacob sent Dylan to deliver the letter in person. Dylan was puzzled, and secretly asked Jacob, “Mr. York, His Highness could ask for Lady Sinclair’s hand without surrendering his military command, couldn’t he?”Jacob gave him a light tap on the head. “Are you an idiot? If His Highness doesn’t surrender his medal of command, the king will immediately have Lady Helen intervene to stop the marriage.”Dylan thought the choice of words was apt, but he still didn’t fully grasp the situation.“But won’t Lady Helen try to stop it now?” Dylan argued. Everyone knew how Helen was.“Even if she does it now, no one would have instructed her to do so. It would be her own decision, and the situation would be different because of it,” Jacob explained tersely. “Just go and deliver the letter. Don’t say anything else.”Watching Dylan lead his horse away, Jacob sighed slightly. Although Rafael was dutiful to his mother, without Salvador’s support, he would still face opposition from Helen in marry
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 171
After soaking in the medicinal bath, Carissa felt a warm flush spread through her body. Just before bed, Pearl brought a basin of medicinal foot soak and said she had to soak her feet every night.Carissa complied dutifully, soaking her feet for a while before drinking a cup of calming tea, a remedy formulated by Sebastian to aid sleep.Aside from the first two days after returning from the battlefield, when she slept deeply, the past few nights had been plagued by insomnia. Even when she managed to fall asleep, nightmares haunted her.Her father, her brothers, her family—once vibrant and full of life—now appeared before her, drenched in blood. She would wake up, unable to return to sleep.After dealing with her family’s massacre and returning to Valor Estate, she had needed to drink calming medicine every night to sleep. Sebastian had always kept her troubles close to his heart.After finishing the tea, Pearl added a candy to her cup and smiled. “Lulu said that since you dislike
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 172
Leaving an unmarried man and woman alone in a room was inappropriate. Frederick would normally insist on having several attendants present for propriety’s sake.However, with Rafael being addressed as Marshal and Carissa as General Sinclair, Frederick assumed their discussion would revolve around military matters, which weren’t for his ears. After serving a pot of tea, Frederick promptly cleared the room and closed the door, instructing that no one should approach.Rafael held his cup, his long fingers tracing the floral design on its surface, his expression solemn.After a moment of silence, seeing he had not yet spoken, Carissa looked up at him, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Marshal, is this about the Southern Frontier battlefield...?”“Not at all,” Rafael interrupted, taking a sip of tea before setting the cup down. “I’m here today for personal matters, not military ones.”Carissa’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. Personal matters? What could there be to discuss between her
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 173
Although she was touched, Carissa still refused. “His Majesty’s edict requires me to find a husband within three months. I believe he intends to designate a successor for the title. If I were to marry you under false pretenses, His Majesty might not approve.”Rafael hadn’t anticipated this response. It seemed she still didn’t fully understand Salvador’s intentions. After a moment’s thought, he pressed his hand down in a calming gesture. “You needn’t worry about that. I will speak to the king. His concern about designating a successor is likely due to his fear of you finding someone as fickle and unfaithful as Barrett.”Disparaging her former suitor was a petty tactic, but it likely seemed reasonable to her.When Carissa heard Barrett’s name, she remained unmoved. However, what Rafael said wasn’t without merit. The title of duke was now backed by the Sinclair Army—the generals and soldiers who used to follow Hector, and now Carissa. So, choosing a successor required careful consi
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 174
After Rafael left, Frederick and two senior maids entered the room.Carissa didn't hide anything from them. She told them Rafael had come to propose, and that she had accepted.Frederick and the two senior maids were taken aback. They were silent for a moment, then their expressions turned grave.“This is the best outcome,” Carissa said with a light smile. “Though His Highness and I do not share romantic feelings, we have a bond as comrades. Marrying him is certainly preferable to having to accept a random suitor into our family.”Words hung on the tip of Lily and Holly’s tongue, but the two chose to swallow them. They could only manage a forced smile, and said, “My lady, you must be prepared. With a royal prince, there is no avoiding concubines and secondary wives.”Previously, Rafael had also sought to marry her. However, Melanie had brushed him off. She didn't want to marry her daughter into the royal family. She argued that with so many primary and secondary wives and concubin
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1564
Spring rain was as precious as gold, even if the April showers came a little later than expected.Salvador stood outside the royal study, looking at the lamps swaying in the rainy night. Everything around him felt like a dream, a mix of reality and illusion.Rafael's figure had long disappeared into the rain, no longer visible. A bitter feeling stirred in the king's heart as he remembered how his brother had taken the medicine without hesitation, as if accepting the outcome without a second thought.While Salvador felt a sense of relief, it was tinged with a deep discomfort. He had pushed his younger brother into this situation.Rafael and Carissa were still young. Even without concubines, the couple could easily have three to five children in the future. But having taken the medicine, Rafael's line would end. Even if it could continue through adoption, it would never be the same as having a biological child.How could Rafael not feel an ounce of regret?As an older brother, Salv
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1563
"Has His Majesty grown suspicious of you again?" asked Carissa, startled to see the pill.Rafael shook his head. "Not at all. In fact, he trusts me more now. Many of the reports go through me and Mr. Murray before they reach him.""Then, why?" Carissa asked, confused."There are three reasons," Rafael replied, putting the pill down and holding her hand. "First, His Majesty trusts me now because he's been through so much. Also, his health has stabilized, which has eased his suspicions. But if his health falters again, and I have too much power and even children at the time, he might see me as a threat."Carissa nodded in understanding. "We can wait a few more years before having children, right? Wasn't the medicine you took previously supposed to last for five years? Since that time has passed, could you take another pill to buy us five more years?"Rafael squeezed her hand tightly. "This is the same pill. The first time, it lasts for five years. But if I take it again, it will pre
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1562
In the end, Grace couldn't hold out for long and passed on.When she learned that Caden, having lost his mind, had been sent away to a monastery to spend his days, she was already near the end of her strength. The pain, relentless as a shadow, gnawed at her day and night. And on a bitterly cold night, she breathed her last.Victoria took charge for a time, sending away all the palace servants involved. What happened to them remained unknown to Carissa and the others.With the sudden loss of the queen and two high-ranking concubines, coupled with the queen dowager's declining health, the task of overseeing the harem fell to Penelope for the time being.Salvador had no plans to marry again. He preferred to keep the harem simple and avoid any further complications.But despite her best efforts, Penelope lacked the strength to handle things properly. Every few days, there was some new problem. The matter of the concubines' allowances and the monthly payments to the servants caused end
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1561
Kylie stood frozen, her body tense with fear and sweat beading on her brow as she saw the black silk ribbon coming toward her neck. Desperate, she tried to talk her way out of it, her voice shaking."N-no, it's not too late. His Majesty loves Connor dearly. He wouldn't let him be without a mother. I must care for him myself. No one can take away my right to be his mother!"She paused, gasping for breath before adding, "And Lady Carissa once said... she said that Connor loves me. Those were his words. He's wounded, alone, and heading to Eldermere Keep. He can't go without me. I must go to him!"As the silk wrapped around her neck, Kylie cried out sharply, "Your Majesty, you can't do this! What have I done wrong? Lady Grace tried to kill Connor and wasn't sentenced to death, yet you're going to execute me just because I've been foolish? I've hurt no one!"Derek paused momentarily. There were things he wasn't supposed to say, but thinking of the injured Connor stirred his compassion.
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1560
Kylie's sobs ceased abruptly. For a moment, she stood frozen.Her voice trembled with disbelief as she asked, "What did you say, Your Majesty? Connor is not dead?"How could he not be dead? The funeral had already been carried out, and he had been laid to rest. The entire court knew of his passing.Salvador gazed steadily at her and said, "He is not dead, but gravely wounded. Both of his legs were shattered. If he survives, he'll never walk again. Healer Dalton has taken him to Eldermere Keep for treatment. If he recovers, he'll live under a new name. If not, at least the keep is a good place to lay him to rest."Realizing that the king didn't seem to be lying, a sudden wave of hope and joy surged in the queen's heart. But right after, confusion set in."If he is alive, why was the funeral held? Why not treat him here in the capital? What if his injuries aren't as bad as they seem? What if you've been deceived by Healer Dalton, Your Majesty? He's close to Lady Carissa, who has alw
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1559
Salvador didn't grant Grace a swift death.Instead, he commanded that her legs be shattered—one brutal strike at a time. Flesh split, blood pooled, and gleaming white bone pierced through torn skin.The pain was so unbearable that Grace lost consciousness multiple times. After hours of torment, she was unceremoniously cast aside, her broken form left to suffer in the Cold Palace.Salvador personally led Caden to the Cold Palace, his expression as cold as the wind that swept through its desolate halls.The king pointed at Grace, who lay curled on the ground and howling in pain, then said to Caden, "Your elder brother suffered far worse when he fell from his horse. His pain was unbearable. He died from it—slowly, and with no reprieve."Caden had long since been reduced to tears, his face streaked with grief and regret. As his legs gave out beneath him, he collapsed onto the cold stone floor, hands clamped over his ears as if that might drown out his mother's screams.Salvador then
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1558
Caden's eyes were wide with terror and his expression was one of sheer horror, as though he had been suddenly awakened from a nightmare.Gasping for air, he clutched his ears and shouted desperately, "No! Mom, I don't want this! I don't want my brother to die! I don't want it..."Grace collapsed to the ground. From the moment Salvador had taken out the caltrop, it was as if all her strength had been drained from her body, leaving her crumpled on the floor.However, Salvador paid her no mind. His gaze remained fixed on Caden, the coldness in his eyes unyielding."It is too late. Your elder brother is dead. You killed him," said the king.Caden whirled around, his head slamming into Grace's abdomen. A shrill, anguished cry escaped his lips as he shouted, "You lied to me! You said he wouldn't die! You said that he would only be crippled! You lied to me! You lied to me! I killed my brother—"The force of the impact left Grace breathless, her insides twisting painfully as if they migh
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1557
Grace received Salvador's arrival with a sense of dread.The past days had been filled with Carissa's relentless probing, which had left Grace in a state of terror. Yet, despite her fear, a small spark of hope still flickered within her.Connor was dead, while Cecil was but a child and of frail health. It was Caden—intelligent as well as gifted in both studies and martial arts—who was undoubtedly the most suitable choice for the throne.If not Caden, then who? Could it truly be Cecil?If Caden were chosen, Grace was certain she wouldn't be blamed for anything. Salvador wouldn't tarnish the reputation of the birth mother of the crown prince and future king.Now, as Salvador arrived at Iridescent Palace, Grace's heart began to race. His presence could only mean one of two things. Either he had come to check on Caden's progress and finalize his selection as crown prince, or—more dangerously—he had come with evidence and questions regarding the events that had unfolded.Either way, t
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1556
During her investigation, Carissa learned a troubling piece of information from a young chamberlain. The caltrop Cecil had been playing with had indeed gone missing, and a palace maid had picked it up.The chamberlain had witnessed the moment the caltrop was picked up, and recognized the maid in question as Clara, who served Penelope, one of Salvador's concubines.It was clear to Carissa that Penelope had no reason to harm Connor. Her relationship with Grace and Sylvia was rather indifferent. Thus, Carissa formally petitioned Victoria for permission to conduct an inquiry within the harem and see if Clara was secretly loyal to someone else.As expected, Carissa uncovered that Clara had entered the palace years earlier as a low-ranking maid, assigned to laundry duty and forced to endure a hard life. She was from the same hometown as Lyra, one of Grace's trusted maids.Lyra helped Clara by making arrangements with the head maid, sending her to Penelope's residence to work as a cleaner
