MasukShare
Chapter 824
Bab terkait
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 825
After returning home from the apprenticeship ceremony and banquet, Violet turned to Carissa and said, "I can't shake the feeling that this whole apprenticeship ceremony was a farce. I wasn't even a good apprentice myself, and now I'm supposed to take on students—students who are older than me and from the Mystic Army, no less! If I can't teach them well, won't I just be dragging you down?"Carissa took Violet's hand and motioned for Rafael to head back inside. She wanted to take a stroll with her friend in the garden."If you really don't want to do it, then just pretend the ceremony and banquet never happened. You can remain their instructor. As for whether you teach well or poorly, there's no need to worry. A mentor can only guide. The rest is up to the individual. Your skills are excellent, and you can certainly keep them in line. If they struggle to learn, that's on them, not you.""It's just… They're court officials. Teaching them martial arts in the way of the martial world mi
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 826
Tonight at Hell Monarch Estate, everyone finally gathered for dinner.Carissa was surprised to find that Kyle still hadn't returned to Meadow Ridge. "Kyle, you haven't gone back yet? I thought you left already! I was wondering why you didn't even say goodbye!"Kyle shot her an exasperated look and bumped her head with his knuckles. "You ungrateful brat! I've called out to you several times and you completely ignored me. I was wondering if I had offended you somehow. Turns out you just didn't see me."Feeling a bit sorry for her, Rafael gently rubbed the back of Carissa's head as he explained, "She's been really busy lately, so she was probably deep in thought and didn't hear you calling her. Just a few words would've sufficed. You didn't need to get physical."Rafael spoke with respect. After all, Kyle was still a senior guild member, but there was a hint of grievance in his tone.Kyle chuckled. "It wasn't like I hit her hard. Besides, she's used to it. If anyone has roughed her
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 827
"The medicine has been delivered, but we haven't heard back yet on whether it's effective," Jacob said.Kyle, who usually stayed out of political affairs, chimed in, "The situation in Westhaven is complicated right now. Crown Prince Edmund is acting as regent, but their king hasn't passed yet. Half the old officials in the court oppose Edmund's aggressive policies. Even though Edmund was close with the late crown prince, Arthur, he completely disagreed with his methods. Liam was once a fervent supporter of Arthur, so I'm afraid the situation won't improve even if he survives.""The old king sure has a strong will to live," Violet remarked. "He's been on the brink of death for ages. What's keeping him alive and clinging to life?"Kyle replied, "It's certainly the chaos in the country. Arthur had the support of the people, and the transition between the old king and the crown prince was almost complete. Now, with the late crown prince gone and a new one in place, the court is mostly f
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 828
Rafael added, "Sage Everett once said that Carissa is the most naturally gifted apprentice he has ever seen. She can learn many techniques after just seeing them once."Kyle chuckled. "Sage Everett did say that, but you left out part of it—he also mentioned that she's too lazy. All she thinks about is running around the mountains, climbing trees to poke bird nests, digging holes to catch snakes, and waving mouse tails to scare children."Travis' expression remained blank as he replied, "I'm one of those victims. She came at me waving a mouse tail, and when she threw the mouse at me, I ran back to my mentor crying. My mentor punished me, saying a man shouldn't cry. But the next day, she stormed over to the Pathfinders Guild to demand compensation."Violet was familiar with the story and jumped in, "In the end, they reached an agreement and reduced the rent by a year."Carissa's sentimental moment was abruptly cut off, and she felt embarrassed. "Why are you bringing up my childhood w
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 829
At Valor Estate, Viola gradually calmed down as her pregnancy progressedHowever, Rebecca's health continued to decline with the onset of winter. The more medicine she took, the more wan she appeared.Sebastian still refused to come. Whenever Rebecca felt particularly unwell, she would complain that Viola lacked the skills of Carissa, who had truly vast connections.Viola refused to indulge her mother-in-law. Not only did she not attend to Rebecca's needs, she didn't even bother to check on her. She left the older woman's care entirely to Amelia, the eldest daughter-in-law.Rebecca lamented to Barrett, "You're now the Crown Guard's commander, yet you can't even manage your own wife? She's disrespectful and rebellious, and is always contradicting me. A poor choice in a wife can bring disaster for three generations!"Barrett was in the midst of his career's ascent, and he didn't want to quarrel with Viola. Every argument left him drained and exasperated, so he had to comfort his mom
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 830
Back in their room, Viola was busy with some needlework. After her previous outburst, she had settled down quite a bit.Barrett nervously informed her that he had given Amelia the authority of the household. Viola shot him an annoyed look. "It should have been handed over to her in the first place. Not to mention, I'm pregnant now. Even if I weren't, I shouldn't be managing the household."Barrett let out a small sigh of relief. He sat down and looked at her. "Needlework is hard on the eyes. You really shouldn't be doing it. Let Mom and the others handle it. I remember Poppy is good at sewing too. You can give it to her.""As a mom, I need to make a few things for the baby," Viola replied, her face lighting up with a gentle smile. "Besides, even though there are three of you receiving salaries, it's not easy to support a whole family. Mother still needs her medicine, so it's better to save wherever we can."Barrett was puzzled by her sudden concern for frugality. Having servants
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 831
The next day, Barret didn't manage to buy the Evergreen Pills after finishing his shift. So, he asked Amelia to buy eight Evergreen Pills at Arcane Sanctum the next day, as well as to look for a wet nurse and a midwife.Amelia agreed. After all, she needed to get Snowdrop Pills for Rebecca as well. Though Amelia had been neglecting the household duties due to her illness, she understood that there wasn't much money left in the family, though their estate remained looking as grand as ever.Before heading out to buy medicine the next day, she went to the accounts room to withdraw some money, only to find that there were only ten silver coins left in the account.She knew they were low on funds, but was shocked to discover that such a small amount was all that remained. She had thought there would be at least two or three hundred silver coins left, especially since the second branch of the family hadn't split off yet, and most of their funds had been turned over to the family fund.Ad
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 832
With her maid in tow, Amelia arrived at Arcane Sanctum and quickly inquired about the price of the Evergreen Pills. They were far from cheap—five silver coins each, and she needed eight of them. In the frigid weather, she felt the sweat on her forehead and struggled to hold back tears, unable to make a decision.The shop assistants at Arcane Sanctum recognized her by now and were aware of her situation.One of them, Paul, spoke up, "Madam Amelia, these Evergreen Pills are intended for women who are weak and anemic after childbirth. If you're looking to replenish energy and blood, you can brew the medicine yourself, which is much cheaper. Besides, one pill is usually sufficient for childbirth. There's no need to buy so many. It's not like eight women are giving birth at the same time."Wiping away her tears, Amelia hurriedly asked, "One is enough? Really?""Absolutely. If you're still worried, you could buy two. The pill isn't a guarantee for easy childbirth. It's mainly for those w
Bab terbaru
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
