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Chapter 777
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 778
Gareth shot up from his seat and glared at the guards behind him. "What's going on? Didn't I tell you not to open the door? Who let her in?""I came in myself. I waited for an hour. When you didn't open the door and planned to douse me with dirty water, I had no choice but to offend you by intruding," said Carissa, stepping forward.Her gaze swept across those present. Norman was the oldest, and he was flanked by two men who must be his second and third sons.Before coming here, Carissa had looked over portraits of those who served in Norman's household, so she had a general idea of their appearances. One of the men, wearing a stone-blue brocade coat, looked anxious and frustrated. When he saw her, a flicker of surprise crossed his features. That must be Norman's heir, Mikhail.Carissa recognized the man who had spoken earlier. He was Norman's fourth son, Gareth. He was easily recognized because he was the armory officer in the Ministry of Defense. Also, Carissa was here because
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 779
Gareth angrily shouted, "No need for that! If you have something to say, spit it out and then get lost!""Gareth!" Mikhail snapped. "Mind your manners!"Gareth rolled his eyes. "Don't be so weak, Mikhail. What are you afraid of? If we've done nothing wrong, we have nothing to fear."Carissa studied Gareth, recognizing that his temperament mirrored that of his dad. However, Norman had genuine skill and achievements, which made people endure his temper even when it was difficult.Gareth was different. He relied on his dad's power and barked out complaints at the slightest provocation—he was like a yapping dog emboldened by his connections. With such an explosive attitude, few in the Ministry of Defense dared to cross him, which only encouraged his arrogance.Carissa wouldn't indulge him. "Fine, since you don't want the scribe to come in, I'll just remember our conversation in my head. You're Lord Gareth, right? Bring out your concubine, Lady Cecilia. I have questions for her."Ceci
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 780
Cecilia wore a simple, pale blue dress, and the wide sleeves of her outer garment made her look incredibly light and graceful.Despite having borne three children, her skin remained radiant and devoid of any wrinkles. Her long hair was styled into a bun adorned with hairpins. Each piece was adorned with pearls, which added to her refined and otherworldly appearance.It was clear that she lived a comfortable life within the Duke of Oakspire's family, untouched by the hardships of life. She was genuinely cherished.Carissa had encountered other concubines' daughters before, but only Cecilia exuded the air of someone who had never been battered by life's trials. There was a softness about her, a sense of being delicately cradled in someone's palm.When Cecilia arrived, her demeanor was courteous. She performed a graceful curtsy and stood to the side, keeping a respectful distance from the men. When she heard Carissa call her full name, her expression remained calm, as if she had ant
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 781
Gareth suddenly exploded in fury. He jumped up and slapped Cecilia harshly across the face."You treacherous woman! After everything I've done for you, you dare betray me?!" he roared with outrage.Cecilia fell to the ground, blood slowly trickling from the corner of her mouth. She braced herself on the ground, still kneeling, though tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes.Her lips quivered, her voice breaking as she said, "I'm sorry... I have no excuse. I know my sins are unforgivable.""You've doomed us all!" Gareth spat as he fiercely kicked her. "I once asked you if you had any family and you told me you were an orphan! How dare you lie to me?!"Cecilia's body trembled as she let out a muffled sob, knowing there was no hope of ever regaining Gareth's pity or love.Carissa let out a barely audible sigh as she watched from nearby. Thankfully, the king had already made his decision yesterday about the daughters of Henry's concubines. Otherwise, the Duke of Oakspire's family
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 782
Norman stood up and gestured for Carissa to follow him to his study.After taking a few steps, he turned back and asked, "Would it be alright if my eldest son came along?"Carissa knew the duke was referring to Mikhail, whose nature she understood well. She was aware that he wasn't as valued by Norman as his younger brothers."That's fine," she replied.Stunned, Mikhail hesitated. He knew his dad never favored him and thought him to be too mild and lacking passion. Norman always chose to discuss important manners with his third and fourth sons. But instead of calling Gareth this time, Norman had unexpectedly requested that Mikhail join the discussion.-In the study, Norman instructed his servants to light a candle with a calming scent. His temper often ran high, so this candle was a staple in his study. However, it wasn't for his benefit today. He hoped the calming scent might help Carissa overlook the hour wait outside and the indignity of almost being splashed with water.Onc
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 783
Carissa didn't feel relieved even after leaving Oakspire Estate. She still needed to face the Quinton family tomorrow. And beyond them, there was also Hayden, to whom Eleanor had also sent someone.Carissa didn't plan on bringing the Capital Guard to Hayden's residence, Willowbrook Estate. Instead, she intended to visit him with Rafael in the evening and fill him in. After all, the elderly prince had returned to the capital alone, with all his descendants serving in far-off territories.However, Salvador was still understandably cautious of him, especially since the person backing Eleanor remained unidentified. Without proof, the king would be wary of all his vassals.That night, Rafael arrived at Willowbrook Estate with Carissa, carrying a gift to keep up appearances. The old prince certainly knew how to enjoy himself. After dinner, the household songstresses took turns performing for him, serenading him with music.When Rafael and Carissa arrived, Hayden was reclining on a lounge
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 784
Soon, an old steward led in a woman dressed in a pale pink gown. She had a soft, round face, and the dress clung a bit too tightly around her plump figure, especially around her midsection. She wasn't extremely large—just enough for the ill-fitting gown to accentuate her roundness.Even with the extra weight, her natural beauty shone through. Her features were delicate, her skin was fair with a healthy glow, and her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.The steward had already informed her of their guests, so she entered and greeted them politely, "Greetings, Prince Rafael, Lady Carissa. My name is Chaya Kingsley."Her smile was bright and sweet, suiting her softness. It was the kind of smile that instantly made people feel at ease."Chaya—what a lovely name," Carissa remarked, observing her thoughtfully.There was something different about Chaya, unlike the other concubines' daughters. She didn't have Celeste's seductive allure, Carmen's prideful strength, or Cecilia's quiet
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 785
After leaving Willowbrook Estate, Carissa felt a weight lift from her chest.The concubines and daughters in Harmony Palace had become an unbearable mountain of guilt pressing down on her. Carissa knew all too well why those women had been imprisoned in Harmony Palace, and she knew their misery was Eleanor's doing. Though Carissa refused to take on any blame for her parents' actions, she couldn't shake the deep sadness she felt.Seeing those women, hollow-eyed and trembling at the slightest sound, had been heart-wrenching.Meeting Chaya had been a small balm, a fleeting comfort like a colorful bubble glistening in the sun—beautiful yet fragile, and once popped, only the dark reality remained.As the night wind whipped at the carriage curtains, Rafael wrapped an arm around Carissa. Neither spoke. Each was lost in thought, yet thinking about the same thing.Eleanor's recent actions had rattled Yuvan, making him recoil once more. Now, he would be thinking of ways to get out of the ca
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1514
"This journey was not only for the sake of Orivenia and Starhaven, but also for Nerathia. No need for thanks; relations between kingdoms are always driven by mutual interests. It is only through personal friendship that true sincerity arises," Faelan replied.Carissa nodded thoughtfully, but curiosity got the better of her. "Might I ask if you know my mentor, Adrian Russell?"Faelan chuckled. "I do. He has been to Nerathia and even stayed at my training grounds for a time. My guard commander, Shadow, is quite close with your mentor. They would often drink together.""Ah, I see," Carissa mused, thinking back to the shadowy figures she had seen.She wondered which of them was the esteemed Shadow. It would be a great pity if she couldn't meet him.As if reading her mind, Faelan chuckled. "In three or five years, we'll visit Starhaven. When the time comes, I'll introduce you to Shadow."Carissa was about to express her thanks, but Violet interjected, "Why wait three or five years? Co
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1513
After two days of touring, Liam finally spoke to Carissa."Your country has a Miracle Healer named Sebastian Dalton, right? He's been making a medicine called Snowdrop Pills. Snow Blossom is a key ingredient, but your kingdom has only a limited supply. It grows at the Southern Frontier, but only high atop the snowy mountains. It's difficult to gather and incredibly scarce."However, in our kingdom, Snow Blossoms are not so rare. It's found on many high peaks. The Snow Blossom that Healer Dalton uses now is bought secretly from Orivenia's herbal merchants at a steep price. It's so expensive that every Snowdrop Pill he sells is at a loss."Carissa knew that Snowdrop Pills were rare because some of the ingredients were hard to find, but Sebastian had never specifically mentioned which ones.However, if he was buying an ingredient from Orivenia, it made sense why he needed to keep it a secret. Previously, there was no trade between Orivenia and Starhaven, especially when it came to med
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1512
The position Faelan took at the table represented Nerathia's stance in the negotiations.They were neutral!Carissa couldn't help but marvel once more at the power of a strong kingdom.The initial stages of the talks were tedious, with the same points being repeated over and over. The translators were busy, their voices echoing with historical debates. This was inevitable, as conceding too early would only lead to further compromises.As such, the first round of negotiations yielded no agreement. It was simply a test of boundaries.The second round began the following day. Again, they emphasized the same points.But after the second repetition, Faelan spoke up, saying, "There is no point in prolonging this. The dispute over the border has lasted for decades. It will not be resolved in a day. Let us set the border issue aside for now. What I wish to know is whether both sides are committed to establishing peace and mutual non-aggression between your kingdoms."The answer was unan
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1511
Carissa noticed that the nobles and officials of Orivenia seemed unaware of Nerathia's intention to intervene in the negotiations.Their faces betrayed confusion, but after a moment, they revealed expressions of joy and confidence. It seemed they also believed that Nerathia's involvement would provide Orivenia with solid backing.Seeing this, Carissa felt a slight sense of reassurance. If that were really the case, Lisandra would have informed them beforehand. Or at least, she would have let the negotiating officials know.But why hadn't she?It seemed there was only one explanation. Lisandra was also hoping for mutual concessions. Few at court supported her, so she had brought in Faelan from Nerathia—someone whom everyone would trust.This made sense of the conversation from the previous night, when Lisandra had invited Carissa and Violet to the palace. The remarks about unmet wishes were clear now. The example of the women taking part in the civil service examinations was just t
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1510
In banquets like these, no one truly ate with much enthusiasm. Most dishes were merely tasted before being set aside, barely touched before servants whisked them away.But the Nerathians were different. They treated every dish with genuine respect, cleaning their plates entirely, no matter what was served. Their wine glasses, once filled, were immediately emptied again. The palace servants attending to them must have been exhausted, constantly refilling their glasses and replacing empty plates.Violet recalled their meal at Spring Pavilion. Just like tonight, not a single scrap had been left behind. She wanted to say something to Carissa, but the only sound in the hall was the clinking of cutlery and the quiet shifting of plates. Speaking now would be too conspicuous.Still, one glance between them was enough.Violet's thought was clear—the Nerathians' presence at this banquet must be tied to the negotiations. Carissa agreed.However, their exact role remained uncertain. Were they
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1509
The banquet began in the late afternoon, with Liam personally escorting the Starhaven delegation to the palace again.As they had suspected, the coronation ceremony had already been held. This evening's gathering was mainly focused on the border negotiations. Upon entering, Carissa and Violet noticed that there were no other foreign emissaries present—only royals, nobles, and officials from various departments.While they showed no hostility toward the Starhaven delegation, they weren't particularly welcoming either. Since a translator was needed for communication, conversations remained minimal, limited to simple greetings.Just as they were settling in, Lisandra turned to the Starhaven delegation and remarked, "Today, we have guests from Nerathia joining us as well. They should be arriving shortly. I believe you will find that you have much in common."Davis' eyes brightened immediately. "Guests from Nerathia? Who might they be?"His excitement was understandable.The weapons t
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1508
Lisandra continued, "The irony is, when I was a grand princess, I could call for women to join the ranks of government without hesitation. Now that I am the queen, I must move slowly, cautiously, balancing all the factions, weakening their hostility and wariness toward me. There are so many things to consider and so many forces at play. At times, I grow impatient, and I wish I could simply rid myself of those who oppose me."Carissa thought for a moment before replying, "In truth, whether one is a king or an official, man or woman, I believe their goal is the same, Your Majesty. It's to ensure the long-term stability of the kingdom and the peace and prosperity of the people. "When the nation prospers and war is no longer a threat, any reforms you wish to make will face less resistance. But for now, you must first secure your position, Your Majesty."Her meaning was subtle, but Lisandra understood clearly. The kingdom was still in turmoil, with various factions causing obstacles. Si
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1507
The royal palace of Orivenia stood resplendent and imposing, its golden architecture gleaming under the night sky, exuding an air of solemn grandeur.Upon passing through the first palace gate, the carriage rolled smoothly along the wide palace path, its spaciousness a stark contrast to the more cramped streets outside. However, what stood out the most was the abundance of lamps. It seemed as if oil was no object, for the palace grounds were lit up as though the night itself had been banished. As they got out of the carriage and walked along the winding corridor, the large trees ahead were hung with many lamps. Anyone trying to hide in the trees wouldn't stand a chance; they would be seen immediately.Liam led the way. As they approached a grand palace hall, two female attendants stepped forward. They exchanged a few words with Liam in the Westic before smiling and nodding to Carissa and Violet."Ladies, Her Majesty invites you to enter the palace," Liam said with a polite gesture
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1506
By the time they reached the capital of Orivenia, it was the 13th of August. A full month had passed since they left Starhaven.The afternoon sun shone brightly, and Kendrick lay back in the carriage as they entered the city.Since entering Orivenia's borders, they had endured seven assassination attempts. The last one had been particularly brutal, likely involving suicide soldiers. Many of the Mystic Army were injured, and even Violet had been grazed on the shoulder. Thankfully, it hadn't struck anything vital.Kendrick's fear was understandable. The attack had come when he was emerging from the washroom. The assassin's sword had pierced his chest, nearly plunging in completely. It was Carissa who noticed in time and swiftly turned, driving her spear into the assassin's chest before dragging him back with the hooked tip of her dagger, saving Kendrick's life.Though the injuries were minor, Kendrick reacted as if he had been mortally wounded. He howled in agony for half the night b
