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Chapter 725
Kaugnay na kabanata
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 726
Jaina felt a deep grievance, an indescribable mix of hurt and sorrow. Holding the frail woman in front of her, all the injustices she had endured in the past surged forth like a river breaking through a dam.This was her mom—someone she had never dared to dream she could embrace again in this lifetime. After a moment, Jacob stepped forward with Albert. Following a heartfelt reunion, both men were soon in tears, while Ethel still clung tightly to Jaina's hand. In her memory, her little girl had been just seven—and now, she was twenty-five.The images from Jaina's memories began to sharpen, but her recollections of her mom remained vivid and youthful. The woman had been so full of life, her voice so loud that neighbors could hear her scolding. Yet now, Ethel could barely manage to speak without sounding breathless.Violet and Carissa stood outside and watched. They dabbed their eyes as they listened to the family reminisce through their tears, feeling both touched and sad. It turn
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 727
In the side hall, Derek was enjoying the refreshments, sipping a cup of coffee. When he saw Carissa enter, he smiled warmly and rose to greet her."No need for formalities, Mr. Walker. Please, take a seat," Carissa urged, gently pushing down Derek's hand.She knew Derek had helped her and her mom significantly over the years, often in ways she couldn't openly acknowledge. Today seemed like the perfect opportunity to express her gratitude.Once Derek sat down, Carissa bowed her head slightly. "I know you've done a lot for my mother and I over the years, Mr. Walker. After I married Raf, I can only imagine how much you've spoken on his behalf in front of the king. I truly thank you for that."Derek smiled kindly at her. "Your gratitude is too much for me to bear, Your Grace. Please sit down. I want to talk with you for a moment."Carissa took a seat, her expression warm and inviting. "Please go ahead.""It's about this position you've taken on," Derek said, his demeanor gradually tu
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 728
Harmony Palace was in disarray.All the stewards, along with Eleanor, had been taken away. The palace maids and servants were temporarily confined in Harmony Palace under the watchful eye of the Supreme Court officials, to be summoned later for questioning.The Capital Guard and the Garrison Unit had withdrawn, and the case was now in the hands of the Supreme Court.Rafael's deputy minister, Matthew, arranged for the women who had been imprisoned to send word back to their families. If their families were found to be involved and their assets needed to be confiscated after the case was over, the Supreme Court would take the money from Eleanor's funds instead.Melanie Lester lived in the capital, so she was allowed to return home first. Carmen came to pick her up personally, still reeling in disbelief that the operation had taken place on the first of October rather than the fifteenth.Thinking about how Carissa had kept that from her, Carmen felt a surge of anger. Carissa didn't t
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 729
Carmen felt a chill run through her as she listened to her mom. "That can't be true! If she really wants to rely on a powerful family, wasn't Samuel a good match? He loved her dearly."Melanie smiled bitterly. "Samuel was the Earl of Gracehold's heir and a top scholar. However, he married the Duchess of Everpeace, Prince Harvey's daughter. Since that was the case, Celeste had no hope of rising higher. Samuel may have said he loved her, but he never truly did anything for her. He doted on her, but he wouldn't dare elevate her to the status of a rightful wife."Carmen blinked in confusion. "A rightful wife?"As the carriage rolled forward, Melanie's gaze darkened. "Yes. She believes that unless she becomes a rightful wife, she'll have no chance of becoming the main wife after the current wife dies. If she can't become a rightful wife, she'll just be a concubine. Even if the main wife dies, she won't attain her desired status. She said she could accept being a concubine, but she does
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 730
The Supreme Court was busier than ever today. At Rafael's command, all leave was canceled. Even the assistant minister, Peter Salter, who was at home mourning a loss, was worried about keeping his position.When the major conspiracy case arose and Rafael asked him to return, Peter quickly put on his official uniform and went back.Eleanor and Henry were brought to the Supreme Court. Rafael would personally interrogate his aunt, while Matthew was tasked with questioning Henry. Peter and Jared Lynch, the Supreme Court's associate chief, would interrogate the remaining officials, servants, household physicians, and other staff.Rafael didn't rush to interrogate Eleanor. Instead, he ordered that all the weapons from Harmony Palace be transported to the Supreme Court as material evidence. Meanwhile, the rest of the team began their questioning.Despite working tirelessly until nightfall, they only managed to interrogate a handful of people. Rafael then ordered shifts for questioning, me
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 731
Rafael frowned as he read through Billy's testimony. The man was clearly terrified of dying.He had confessed everything in painstaking detail—how Celeste seduced him and forced him to risk everything to poison Melanie Lester, the drugs he used, how the illness worsened, and even when he predicted Melanie would die. He also speculated on Celeste's motives, suggesting that she wanted to free herself entirely from Harmony Palace and escape its constraints by poisoning her own mother.Though Rafael hadn't been handling cases for long, he could immediately see a flaw in this story."If Celeste really wanted to break free from Aunt Eleanor, killing her mom wouldn't help. There's a contradiction here. Aunt Eleanor's control over her hinged on her mom. If Celeste truly didn't care about her mom's life, she could have easily lived under Samuel's protection at Gracehold Estate and stayed out of Aunt Eleanor's grasp. And if she didn't want to be a concubine, she could've swindled a good sum f
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 732
Upon returning to the estate, Rafael found that his wife was still awake.Lulu was busy pressing Carissa's official uniform, the one for the deputy commander of the Mystic Army. Although it was just a nominal title, they had gone through the trouble of making her an official uniform back then, never truly expecting she would wear it.The official uniform didn't come with a ceremonial sword, and the black outfit was inlaid with emerald beads. If Carissa were to wear an official uniform from now on, it meant she couldn't dress like a woman anymore.Lulu was filled with joy. When Barrett wanted to take Aurora as a rightful wife, he had belittled Carissa. Now, she was about to take on an official role. Even though being a commander was still a military position, Carissa wouldn't be stuck in the barracks. All the pent-up frustration Lulu had felt was finally released."How did it go? Did you manage to interrogate anyone?" Carissa asked eagerly as she approached her husband.Rafael glan
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 733
"Claire and the others might know where Celeste is, but I doubt they're tracking her. After such a big case, they're likely on standby in the capital," Carissa said."I came back specifically to have them keep an eye on Yuvan's residence in the capital, Edgeview Estate, as well as on Hartstone Estate. While they probably won't dare make any moves right now, the production and transportation of those weapons involve a lot of people. Plus, the dungeon wasn't full, so they are likely still working on getting more. Since Aunt Eleanor has fallen, Uncle Yuvan or Uncle Harvey will have to take over. We need to monitor them closely," Rafael replied."Got it. I'll talk to Violet about it later," Carissa promised.Rafael ordered someone to bring water so he could wash his face and change his undershirt. He still had some time to nap.Jacob was aware of Rafael's return and had intended to ask him about the case. However, he heard that the prince was resting and would be heading back to the Su
Pinakabagong kabanata
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1588
Having failed to convince my mother, I went to my father. However, his response was even more severe.They thought I opposed the marriage because I hadn't spent time with Phineas. They were also convinced that since the match was already being arranged, it would be best for him to take me out and build some rapport between us.I didn't want to go, but my mother's maid forced me into the carriage. The maid was also told to watch me closely to ensure I didn't speak out of turn.Phineas looked all polished up, with shiny hair and a face like he had powdered it that morning. He initially showed me some respect, but soon enough, his true nature began to show. He made crude comments about my appearance, saying that if it weren't for my looks and the fact that I was from the Spencer family, he would never have considered marrying me.His condescending attitude made me uncomfortable. If that had been the worst of it, perhaps I would have simply let it go. But on our way back, he pinched me
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1587
Startled, I quickly turned around. Not far behind me stood a man, half-hidden in the shade of a tree. He wore a simple black outfit, his figure thin and unkempt, with dark circles beneath his eyes.It was him—the scholar from the bridge who sold paintings, the one Mr. Klein had called a hopeless case, a student who had dropped out to care for a woman."You're speaking nonsense," I exclaimed, wide-eyed, a shiver running through me at the thought of his strange words. "I've never heard of any water demons here. You're just trying to trick me."Though I had no fear of death, I was uneasy at the thought of demons, particularly if they were going to trap me beneath the mud."I'm not lying to you." Cassius stepped forward, his frail frame seeming even more fragile against the breeze. "If you look around, you'll see no one is here. Why else would such a lovely place be devoid of visitors?""That's because the people who come here are not tourists. They come to pray, and they leave once t
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1586
After a while, my cousin and her maid returned to find me. I asked the maid to hand thirty copper coins to Cassius. He smiled and thanked me kindly.I thought our meeting was just a chance encounter and I would never see him again. However, to my surprise, during Grandma's birthday celebration a month later, I saw him again.Our family was hosting a grand dinner, and Leonard Klein, a renowned scholar, had come with his apprentices. And there Cassius was, standing among them.In Ebonflow, the rules for social gatherings weren't as strict as in the capital, with women being allowed to be in the front hall during a banquet. Of course, Cassius didn't recognize me. After all, I had been wearing a veil when we first met, so he had only seen my eyes.He didn't stay long. After presenting Grandma with a beautiful painting, he quickly excused himself, saying he had business to attend to at home.Once he left, Mr. Klein spoke of him with a tone of regret, explaining, "He's a clever young man
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1585
Anyone who knew me, Liana Spencer, spoke of me with scorn. Even strangers who heard my story would spit on the ground and say I had no shame.Everyone knew that running away with a man was worse than theft or murder. It was a disgrace no family could easily bear.Many asked me the same question: Did I regret it?I never regretted marrying him, but I did carry guilt in my heart. Because of me, the Spencer family's name was dragged through the mud. My brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews had a much harder time finding good matches because of my choices.As a daughter of the Spencer family, I lived in comfort from the moment I was born. I wore fine dresses, ate the best foods, and was showered with love. My parents doted on me, while my brothers spoiled me terribly.But there was something wrong with me.By the time I was fourteen, I still hadn't gotten my monthly courses. We consulted physician after physician, and I drank countless doses of bitter medicine, day and night. Yet, no
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1584
Snow fell softly in the dead of winter, blanketing Victory Pass in white. At that moment, the world seemed to have been made pure again.For years, I wore nothing but a tattered priest's robe. I carried a broken bowl and wandered from place to place, asking for food. I stopped only briefly at temples along the way to rest for a night or two and kneel before the statues to beg for forgiveness.I could have stayed at the first monastery I was sent to. Life there wasn't easy, but it wasn't so hard either. I had warm meals and shelter from the cold. But I knew if I stayed in comfort, I would never wash away my sins.Only by suffering, by staying on the road and bearing the cold, the hunger, the pain, could I find peace in my heart.And so, I came to Victory Pass.My sandals had long since fallen apart. Thick calluses had grown on my feet; I could walk barefoot over rocks and barely feel a thing. Even with every piece of clothing I owned layered over me, the winter cold still cut throug
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1583
It was during the Verdant Hunt that Connor fell out of favor with Dad, who scolded him harshly before we left the hunting grounds. Once we returned to the palace, Connor fell ill. Ryan and I were both terribly worried, but Mom was delighted.She held me close that evening, her smile sharper than usual. "After this, your father is sure to be tired of your brother."She told me I must work harder than ever, and to listen closely to the royal chancellor and my uncle."Study better than anyone. Earn their praise. And most importantly, outshine your brother," she said.My heart felt torn. Mom often spoke of the rewards that came with being crown prince, and I won't lie, I was tempted. However, those were all distant things.At the time, I was close to Connor, Ryan, and even our youngest brother, Cecil. We all got along so well. How could I possibly hate my older brother?Those thoughts tangled inside me, day after day. I lost focus. My studies slipped. I made mistakes during riding pra
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1582
Before I took the vows and entered the monastery, my name was Caden.From the time I was young, I often heard the same praise whispered around me: "This child is sharp beyond his years—clever, quick-witted, the finest of the three princes."I heard it so often that I came to believe it myself. At times, I even felt proud. But whenever I let that pride rise too high, Mom would bring me back to earth.She would look at me, her eyes soft but filled with something I couldn't quite name—pity, perhaps. And then, she would sigh and say, "What a pity you were born of my womb. If not, you might have risen above that foolish one. But fate favored him, not you."That "foolish one"—I knew well enough who she meant. I had heard her say it so many times in private, though never once in public.It puzzled me greatly as a child. Mom clearly disliked my eldest brother, Connor, more than anyone. Yet, whenever he came near, she would smile warmly and speak kindly. She would even flatter him, calling
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1581
Two childhood friends were now each giving their all on very different paths.Clarence had started with herbs, then medicine, and in time, healing became his entire world at Eldermere Keep. At first, it was merely something to pour his heart into, because he knew he would never be allowed to leave the mountain and open a medical hall of his own.But then Ryan came, and afterward, sent Clarence a letter.That letter changed everything.For the first time, Clarence began to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could go down the mountain after all. And once that hope took root, he threw himself into his studies with more energy than ever before. He barely slept, rarely left the apothecary, and sometimes forgot to eat.Because of the pain he had once endured, he focused his efforts on curing injuries and chronic pain. Of course, a good physician had to know more than one thing, so he studied every field without neglecting any.There was a fire inside him now. A quiet flame that had not bur
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
