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Chapter 497

Author: Summer's Blaze
The two friends chatted through the night. After experiencing the battles in the Southern Frontier, Violet had matured a great deal. Especially now that she was living in the capital, she had come to learn much about the affairs of powerful families. She realized that the world wasn't as simple as it had seemed back in Meadow Ridge.

Life in Meadow Ridge had been far too easy. Every day was spent causing trouble, walking dogs, teasing cats, digging around for snakes, or chasing wild boars. The worst thing that ever happened was getting beaten up by apprentices from other guilds.

As they talked, they grew sleepy.

Violet turned over and casually threw a leg over Carissa, yawning. "I really envy you for having such a good mother-in-law. Lady Helen's always so protective of you."

"I know."

"Maybe I should just marry the marshal too, then she’d be my—"

Before Violet could finish her sentence, Carissa kicked her off the bed. Violet jumped back up and started pounding on Carissa, laughi
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  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 498

    Rebecca looked at Carissa, taking in the latter’s entire appearance. Carissa exuded an undeniable air of luxury and authority now—she was truly different. Rebecca's gaze was filled with anger, regret, resentment, and frustration; a mix of emotions that made her teeth ache.Serena shared those feelings, but hers were laced with even more hatred and jealousy. She had been so close, just a step away from becoming the Hell Monarch's concubine."What bad luck!" Violet muttered coldly.Carissa only glanced at them briefly before turning her attention back to the smiling young heir of The Golden Tower. Business people really did have sharp eyes. Even on the day when she looked completely disheveled, he had still recognized her.Well, it wasn't that surprising. She and her mother had visited The Golden Tower before, and had met him.Carissa smiled and said, "Nathaniel, there's no need for such formalities. We'd like to go up to the third floor to pick out some jewelry. Would that be a

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 499

    A pearl and gem-inlaid tiara with Mystic Pearls, and Carissa offering Kiera free rein to choose anything from the third floor?There was a time when Carissa would give Serena jewelry and seasonal clothing as gifts. Carissa had always been generous, and had even promised to provide Serena with a lavish dowry when the time came for her to marry.But now, Carissa was arranging a dowry for someone else.Today, Serena had come to The Golden Tower with Viola to pick out her dowry. However, Viola was only selecting items from the first floor. They hadn't even bothered to go up to the second floor, let alone the third, where the top-tier pieces were displayed.The difference between people—how could it be so vast?Serena felt the gazes of the other guests on her, eyes filled with mockery and disdain. The humiliation surged within her, and she quickly grabbed Viola's arm. "Viola, I want to go to the third floor too."Viola was already frustrated. She had been reluctant to spend her own

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 500

    The shop assistant smiled and said, "Of course, miss. Please have a seat and enjoy some coffee and pastries while I prepare your selection."He didn't mention the price—none of the guests who made it to the third floor would ever ask. Once everything was packed, the total would simply be presented.Rebecca's heart skipped a beat as she eyed the ruby tiara. She had enough experience to know that such a piece would be incredibly expensive. Rubies varied in quality, and these were far from the small, ordinary ones. These were exquisite and on a whole different level.She glanced at Viola and whispered, "Since she wants it, you might as well buy it. What do you think?"Viola was so frustrated that she found herself laughing inwardly in disbelief. What did she think? Did she even have a choice? The shop assistant was already placing the tiara into a luxurious jewelry box.Even the box itself looked expensive. It was made of cherry wood, inlaid with velvet and a row of tiny gemstones.

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 501

    Viola's eyes brimmed with tears, and her voice trembled. "No, let's go back to the first floor and pick out a few pieces instead."As a lady from the Earl of Silverstone's family, she couldn't raise her voice to her mother-in-law here. She could only plead with as much humility as she could muster, hoping they would agree to move to the first floor. Even the items on the first floor were not cheap. The Golden Tower only carried high-quality items.Serena clung to the jewelry box tightly. "No, I want this one!"Viola shook with anxiety, her gaze darting around as more heads poked out from the private rooms, all of them wearing expressions of surprise. This only deepened Viola's sense of humiliation.How could she possibly come up with almost 40,000 silver coins? Did she have to empty out her dowry and even use the funds from her late husband's pension?How could she do that?Viola stood there, trembling and speechless. She had never experienced such a humiliating situation in he

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 502

    The shopkeeper William looked at Serena with a smile and said, "Miss, that's certainly possible. However, we have many more ruby tiaras in the shop. You've only seen this one. Would you like to choose from a few more options?"Serena lifted her head to see a shop assistant carrying a tray made of zebrawood enter the room. The tray obviously held pieces of much lower value, clearly brought up from the first or second floor. She immediately clutched the jewelry box she held tighter and said, "No, I only want this one."Rebecca was clearly getting frustrated. "What's with all this nonsense? We've already chosen this one. What is the matter with your shop? Just come to our residence to collect the payment. Stop wasting time."William was experienced and well-acquainted with such situations, though it was rare on the third floor. It was clear to him that the mother and daughter were trying to force the daughter-in-law to pay for the dowry, but the situation seemed unusual. The matria

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 503

    The term "respected and remembered" revealed a great deal of information.Just like Viola, Kayla had also lost her husband on the battlefield. They shared a common sorrow, and it was out of kindness that she had wanted to help Viola. Unfortunately, Viola didn't appreciate the gesture, leaving Kayla quite embarrassed.Upon hearing the lady's identity, Carissa immediately understood the situation. However, she didn't comment further on the matter. Instead, she changed the subject and asked Kiera which pieces she had chosen. She also needed to buy a gift for her simple-minded mother-in-law. Not bringing Helen along today would likely upset her.The design for the Mystic Pearl set was finalized, and Kiera picked out several other pieces she loved. Hugging her sister-in-law, she exclaimed how much she adored Carissa.Nathaniel chuckled from the side. Compared to the tense exchange between Viola and Serena outside, this pair truly showed what genuine affection looked like.Though he was

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 504

    When Helen returned from the palace, she walked straight through the sitting room. She held her head high, and completely ignored the women speaking inside.One of the women called out, "Mother, you're back?"Helen didn't acknowledge them and continued to walk with her head held high.Another woman rushed out and took her arm. "Mom, look at what Carissa and I bought for you! Come and see!""Hmph!" Helen glanced at Kiera coldly. "Why would I care?"Kiera's face fell. "Huh? You don't? Carissa spent a long time choosing these.""Hmph! Spent a long time choosing?" Helen glared coldly at Carissa, who was standing at the door. In response to Carissa's smile, Helen raised her chin. "Fine, let me take a look. But I'm very hard to please."Carissa smiled and said, "Mother, please come and see."Violet quickly called for someone to prepare some snacks. As she admired the jewelry, she filled Helen in on the excitement of the day.Helen placed a delicate red coral hairpin with dangling

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 505

    In Valor Estate, only one lamp was lit in the corridor tonight, and two glass-covered lamps illuminated the main courtyard. These glass lamps were actually the ones Carissa had left behind when she moved away.The side hall was shrouded in darkness, with only the buzzing of mosquitoes to break the silence.The Golden Tower's shop assistant hadn't left. He sat anxiously in the side hall of the main courtyard. No one had served him coffee, and no lamps had been lit. He had waited from dawn until nightfall.He was there to collect payment, but once inside Valor Estate, he had been left waiting in this place. From the direction of the main hall, he could hear the sounds of shouting and heart-wrenching crying.The commotion lasted for at least an hour before finally quieting down. Then, someone had come in to tell him to wait. Since then, no one had returned.Given his experience, he was accustomed to accompanying guests to collect banknotes when they didn't have enough on hand. In the

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  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1419

    As soon as Carissa left, Salvador's smile vanished. He barely sipped his soup before dismissing Grace and Caden. Grace said nothing. She simply instructed the servants to clear the dishes, took Caden's hand, and curtsied gracefully before taking her leave.Once the hall was silent, Derek closed the door and turned toward the king. "Your Majesty, it's not yet time for the next council meeting. Why don't you rest for a short while?"In the past, Salvador had always taken a brief respite during the noon hours. But ever since summoning Carissa for these conversations, he hadn't rested at all.Salvador massaged his temples and sighed. "Very well. My head's starting to ache.""Should I summon the royal physician to examine you?" Derek offered."There's no need. Those useless quacks at the Royal Medical Department have yet to cure a simple headache, though I've taken more than my share of their remedies."Salvador stood and made his way into the inner chamber, lying down fully clothed.

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1418

    Of course, Carissa couldn't share her thoughts with Derek, so she simply thanked him and left.After that, Salvador continued the same routine of summoning her for idle conversation after court meetings. Sometimes, these sessions lasted an hour, and other times, they lasted two hours.Gradually, Carissa learned to take it in stride.As his subject, if Salvador wanted her to act like a competent friend, she could oblige. Still, she couldn't help but think about how these midday breaks, a time the king should have spent resting, were now wasted on trivial chatter.During this period, Grace visited a few times to deliver soup. Sylvia also came by, as did Penelope and even Jeanette.Since the royal study was off-limits to the concubines, these women couldn't enter. Instead, they had to hand the soups to Derek, who would deliver them inside. However, if they brought along one of the princes or princesses, they were allowed to step into the study for a brief visit.Perhaps because the

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1417

    This pattern continued for nearly ten days.Back at the estate, Carissa discussed it with Jacob and Kyle, but no one could make sense of Salvador's intentions.At first, they assumed the king was trying to gather information about the Pathfinders Guild. After all, Adrian had not only modified the six-barreled matchlock and red cannon for this battle, but had also rallied numerous martial arts guilds to defend the capital.Given Salvador's naturally suspicious nature, it wouldn't have been surprising if he harbored doubts.But the more time passed, the more it seemed like that wasn't the case. The king didn't show much interest in the specifics of Meadow Ridge or Adrian's actions. Instead, he seemed more entertained by Carissa's childhood escapades.In recent days, Salvador's favorite stories were those of her mischief at Meadow Ridge—brawling, causing trouble, and forcing her mentor to go door-to-door apologizing and paying reparations.Whenever she recounted those tales, Salvado

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  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1415

    Salvador now regularly summoned Carissa to the royal study to discuss military matters, granting her a seat at the table where battle strategies were planned and debated. Her place in these discussions was earned by leading the Mystic Army to crush the rebels.It was a position forged in blood and sweat, with no one daring to challenge her right to it.The reports that shaped their discussions came from Victory Pass and the Southern Frontier. These dispatches provided the foundation for the court's analysis of the situation, guiding decisions on logistical support and strategies.Yet, even when strategies were drafted, Salvador refrained from issuing direct commands. Instead, he offered suggestions, a gesture that showed his trust in Rafael and the Sullivan family—though that trust extended only as far as their abilities on the battlefield.With winter approaching, the soldiers needed winter clothing and more weapons. Most of their discussions revolved around supplies.Leroy and V

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1414

    The garden at Tranquil Palace wasn't small, but it couldn't be compared to the royal garden.If one took their time strolling along, admiring the flowers, or stood still to enjoy the view for a while, one could easily spend a good portion of the afternoon. But Carissa was accustomed to walking briskly. Flowers didn't require her lingering attention—she could glance at them and move on, seeing little difference between one bloom and the next.She had seen fields upon fields of flowers, all of which had left a lasting impression on her. These meticulously tended peonies in their pots, though, hardly stirred any great interest.By the time they finished their walk, some of the other ladies hadn't even finished their coffee. Just as Jeanette began to speak of Skye Embroidery, they found themselves back at the main hall of Tranquil Palace.Jeanette forced a smile. "Shall we go inside and congratulate Lady Sylvia?"Carissa shook her head. "I have matters to attend to, so I'll have to

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1413

    When Sylvia moved to her new residence, all the concubines sent gifts. The royal relatives, upon hearing the news, hurried to send their congratulations as well.As for what to send, other households usually left the decision to the lady of the house. But at Hell Monarch Estate, the ones in charge were Jacob and Luke.They searched through the storerooms, but nothing seemed quite right. Either the items were too expensive, or they were just simple gold, silver, or jewels. Even the golden vases seemed too small and trivial.As for the larger items, such as coral trees or folding screens, Jacob wasn't inclined to part with them. The coral tree, in particular, was rare. The one in the estate had been a wedding gift from the Pathfinders Guild when Carissa married.In the end, their eyes landed on the most abundant item in the storeroom—Kyle's orchid paintings.This would certainly make a strong impression—expensive and elegant, yet not unique to the estate. If it wasn't enough, snow w

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1412

    Among the harem, Kylie was most wary of Sylvia and Grace. Sylvia was caring for Cecil, while Grace was caring for Caden, the second prince.Cecil was not Sylvia's biological son and was still very young, so Kylie need not worry too much. But Sylvia had once been arrogant, with an impressive family background and a sharp aptitude for power games.In the past year, Sylvia had softened somewhat, co-managing the affairs of the harem with Grace. She had learned how to win hearts and minds, and her support for Skye Embroidery and Gracewood Women's Academy had earned her some reputation among the common folk.In contrast, Grace was far more restrained. She co-managed the harem with Sylvia and would occasionally seek Kylie's opinion, genuinely treating her with respect due to her being the queen.But Caden, a sharp and well-mannered boy, was Salvador's and Victoria's favorite.If the position of Crown Prince were to be decided now, it would naturally fall to Connor. But once the princes g

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1411

    Kylie had yet to remove her hairpins, and her makeup was still untouched, her face brimming with quiet anticipation.Earlier that day, a message had arrived from the court, announcing that the king would visit the harem tonight. She had waited for hours, but had heard no news that he had sent for any concubines. In her heart, she felt a surge of joy. If no summons had come, it meant he would be visiting her chambers."Lydia, go and see if His Majesty has arrived yet," she urged once again, her third time asking that evening.Lydia was standing to the side. She smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please be patient. If His Majesty was coming, he would surely send word beforehand so you can prepare to receive him.""Yes, you're right," Kylie sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her temple. "It's been so long since His Majesty visited my palace that I nearly forgot how it goes." Her smile was soft and alluring. "We are husband and wife, after all. What couple do not have thei

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