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Chapter 784
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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
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 786
Rafael waited a full hour, but Malcolm never showed up.The prince was furious. He couldn't believe the audacity of the Quinton family. He had sent someone to inform Malcolm last night, and yet today, there was no sign of the man.It seemed they thought Carissa's visit warranted a deliberate snub. While it wasn't as blatant as the way the Duke of Oakspire's family had treated her by keeping her waiting outside, it was hardly better.Rafael was fiercely protective of his wife. He wouldn't tolerate anyone bullying him, and he certainly wouldn't stand for anyone mistreating Carissa.Without caring about whether Malcolm wanted the rest of the Quinton family to know about this matter, he called out to the assembled Quinton men, announcing, "You should all know that Eleanor placed a pawn in your family—a mistress Lord Malcolm Quinton has kept outside for three years, with whom he has a daughter."Having said his piece, Rafael turned and strode away with Jacob in tow, leaving a stunned s
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 787
However, Lionel still felt a gnawing unease. Even if they managed to keep this under wraps from outsiders, there was no way to hide it from those within the household. With so many people around, the news would surely reach his grandfather and mom.So, Lionel turned to his uncle and said, "Uncle Herbert, I'm going to speak to Carissa directly about this. I need to know where her information came from. If she merely heard some idle gossip from outsiders and felt bold enough to claim that Dad has a mistress, I won't let this matter go.""Alright. Go, quickly!" Herbert urged.What others thought didn't concern him, but Herbert didn't believe for a moment that his brother was capable of such a thing. The Quinton family's teachings were a heavy weight on their shoulders, and as the current head of the family, Malcolm would never be foolish enough to engage in such behavior.Lionel rode swiftly to the Capital Guard's headquarters, only to learn that Carissa had been summoned to the palac
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 788
Obviously upset, Kylie said, "Regardless, Dad would never do such a thing. There must have been a mistake in their investigation. This hasn't spread too far, right?""Only the people within the estate know. Uncle Herbert issued a strict order prohibiting anyone from speaking of it outside," Lionel replied."Was Dad home when you left for the palace?""I left before he came back. I went to the Capital Guard headquarters to find Carissa, but when I heard she had been summoned to the palace, I rushed over right away. I was hoping to clarify things with her so we could plan our response," Lionel explained."Regardless, I absolutely refuse to believe that Dad is keeping a mistress," Kylie stated coldly.Lionel had initially believed it, simply because it had come from Rafael. However, after hearing Herbert's words and reflecting on them, he felt a mix of doubt and suspicion.This wasn't something Rafael had uncovered—it was the Capital Guard's investigation. While undoubtedly skilled,
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 789
After a thorough comparison, they found that the armor from Harmony Palace was actually made with better materials and craftsmanship than the Ministry of Defense's armor.The battle gear made for generals was especially impressive. When tested in Salvador's study, the armor withstood several blows without any damage, while the blades of the swords chipped instead.However, the ballistae tested were deemed a lower quality than the Ministry of Defense's, which slightly eased Salvador's anger.At least it proved one thing—Cecilia hadn't lied. She hadn't stolen the designs for the ballistae or armor, as the two were clearly distinct. Still, Gareth was likely to face repercussions. It was unacceptable for him to let such critical weapon blueprints leak.Fortunately, Salvador had not changed his stance on the concubines' daughters, and was quite supportive of Carissa's proposal for their unified supervision. After all, those women had indeed been manipulated, and no real harm had come to
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 790
Just as she took a few steps out of the royal study, Carissa was intercepted by the queen's head maid, Lydia, who smiled and curtsied."Your Grace, it's been a while since we last met."Carissa returned the smile. "It has. What brings you here, Lydia?""Oh, it's nothing urgent. Her Majesty mentioned she hasn't seen you in some time and would like to invite you to Everspring Palace for some tea."Carissa's throat was parched and she felt the pang of thirst. However, she also knew that an invitation from the queen rarely came with good intentions.Could she decline?Seeing the determined look on Lydia's face, she realized that refusal wasn't an option."Alright, then. Please lead the way.""Of course, Your Grace," Lydia replied cheerfully before setting off.The distance from the royal study to Everspring Palace was a bit of a trek, but the weather was pleasant, with a gentle breeze that eased some of the oppressive atmosphere from the study. As she walked, the tension slowly bl
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 791
Kylie's voice cut through the tension, "How did you investigate this? If you can share it with His Majesty, then you can share it with me. I refuse to believe my dad could be that kind of man."Carissa met her gaze firmly. "Your Majesty, perhaps you should ask your dad directly. This involves a treason case. While I can share the outcome with you because it directly concerns your dad, revealing the details of our investigation to you might not be wise, as this is a matter of state."Kylie was stunned.Carissa was right—Kylie shouldn't pry into the investigation. It was forbidden for the women of the royal harem to interfere in political affairs. Given that the Quinton family was at the height of its power and she was the queen, whose actions were closely watched and scrutinized, any mistake could be magnified.Lionel furrowed his brow. How was he supposed to approach his dad about this? He didn't even know whether the claim was true. So, even if his dad dismissed it as a lie, a nag
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 792
Lionel sighed heavily. "A second-rank official is allowed up to four concubines. Since Dad already has four, taking another would exceed the limit. While many officials bend the rules, His Majesty expects his ministers to set a proper example. Since Dad is a model civil servant, he wouldn't want to tarnish his reputation."Kylie's expression darkened, her voice trembling slightly as she exclaimed, "It's foolish! If he takes a liking to someone and brings her in as a maid, wouldn't that leave him free to do as he pleases? With how things are now, the love between our parents will become a laughingstock, and Dad's reputation will be ruined!"She gripped the armrest tightly, fury shining in her eyes. "And the Hell Monarch! Why did he have to announce it publicly?"Lionel felt a knot of confusion in his chest. He was unsure of how to face his dad. However, he felt compelled to explain further, given Kylie's distress."His Highness already sent word that he would be coming last night, b
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1516
After resting at Victory Pass for five days, Kendrick finally recovered. Now that he was well, it was time to set off for the capital.Though Carissa was reluctant to part with her family, she could only say a tearful farewell. She bowed deeply to Dominic, nearly causing tears to spill from his own eyes.Davis, who held the utmost respect for Dominic, was the most emotional. While Carissa silently wept, Davis openly wept. He knew this was likely the last time he would ever see the venerable old general, who had served Starhaven in Victory Pass for decades.Dominic was already in the twilight years of his life, and he looked much frailer than the last time they had met. Even though Salvador had granted him leave to return to the capital, the long, grueling journey would likely be too much for him to bear, and the Sullivan family might not permit him to make the trip.Dominic spoke with Davis for a while, and the latter's sobs grew louder.Cindy had never asked about the details of
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1515
The journey home began in early September. The heat of summer had passed, replaced by a cool breeze.Liam personally escorted the delegation, accompanying them all the way to Fawnrun City.The return journey was uneventful—no more attempts on their lives, and everything proceeded smoothly. Once they crossed the rolling mountains, they entered Starhaven's territory.They hadn't notified Dominic in advance, so Carissa didn't expect anyone to be there to greet them. But as soon as they crossed into Starhaven, they saw Barrett leading the Sullivan Army, waiting for them.Relief was clear on Barrett's face when he saw they had returned safely. He rode forward, then dismounted and greeted Kendrick, Davis, and the others."Your Highness, Mr. Lloyd, esteemed lords, Grand General Sullivan sent me to wait here. I will escort you back to Victory Pass."Davis raised an eyebrow. "How did Grand General Sullivan know we were returning today?""He didn't know, but he ordered us to wait here eve
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
