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Chapter 917
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 918
The following evening, Rafael and Carissa arrived at Sullivan Estate.From the outside, it was clear that the Griffinblade Unit wasn't slacking off. The plaque had been rehung, the front gate cleaned, and every copper nail on the door had been carefully polished to a shine.During the day, common people had come to offer their respects, bringing simple gifts—fruits, vegetables, and meat. The people's affections were the purest. They couldn't do much else, but they gave what they could.Barrett stood at the gate, looking a bit out of place. He couldn't bring himself to come during the day, so he had taken to standing guard at night. He was gathering the courage to go in and apologize. Despite trying to work up the nerve, he couldn't bring himself to open the door. When Rafael and Carissa arrived, Barrett instinctively stepped back and hid from view.It was a reflex, driven by the sharp insults he had been receiving from the townsfolk. He even had rotten vegetable leaves thrown at
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 919
Dominic stood and helped Carissa straighten up before gently rubbing her head, just like he used to when she was little. As a child, she would come to him to complain whenever she was upset.She had been a small, delicate thing, and couldn't stand feeling wronged. Anyone who dared to scold her or speak ill of her would find themselves the subject of her complaints the moment her grandfather returned to the capital.After venting her frustrations, she would always hide in his arms, seemingly submissive and innocent on the surface. Yet, her eyes would gleam with mischievous satisfaction.Tears streamed down Carissa's face, each drop falling in a steady cascade. With his rough fingers, Dominic wiped away her tears, swallowing the sorrow in his throat.His voice still trembled with emotion as he said, "Who's been bullying our little Cari this time? But you don't need me to step in and teach them a lesson now, do you? You can handle it yourself and give them a taste of their own medicin
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 920
Dominic understood what Rafael was getting at. Westhaven's retaliation had been balanced—it was an eye for an eye. If they hadn't taken action after the massacre but instead sent an envoy like they were doing now, then Starhaven would clearly be in the wrong.However, Westhaven had already exacted their form of revenge."Yes," Dominic said softly. "If it was just the massacre of villagers, they would have gotten their revenge after what they've done. But don't forget, there was the matter of a prisoner of war being killed as well."A prisoner of war being killed was just describing the situation in a nicer way. What had truly occurred was the brutal humiliation of an heir to the throne, leading to his tragic death.The current Westhaven king, Edmund, wasn't acting out of a sense of justice for the common people. No, he was seeking vengeance for his brother, Arthur. Even if the massacre of civilians could be swept under the rug, what of the murder of another kingdom's crown prince?
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 921
Dominic looked at his granddaughter's thin shoulders. His heart ached with a feeling of unbearable sorrow.After all that she had already gone through, how could he bear to ask her to endure even more? How could he let her use the tragedy of her family's destruction as a bargaining chip to fight for his survival?"Grandfather, Carissa's right," Rafael said gently. "All of this is interconnected—it's impossible to separate them. And it's not just for your sake, but to avoid war between the two kingdoms as well."If they were to tackle the issues separately, Westhaven might indeed admit their wrongs. They might even apologize and offer compensation, but doing so would weaken their bargaining position.Dominic understood that logic. Still, it was too cruel to ask Carissa to bear the weight of it all. He couldn't continue the conversation.At this moment, grandfather and granddaughter faced each other. There was nothing they could say. Family matters were too sensitive, while national
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 922
In truth, Rafael had always found the Adrian that Carissa spoke of to be somewhat unfamiliar. In the prince's eyes, Adrian's actions were measured, neither overly serious nor overly indulgent, but with a certain degree of protection toward his apprentices.And when Carissa described Everett, he was a man of erratic moods, quick to punish without warning, and seemingly feared by everyone.Dominic watched them with a curious expression. "So, is he interesting? Or not?"Carissa groaned. "Raf is Sage Everett's direct apprentice, so of course Sage Everett is good to him. It's no surprise he thinks his mentor is interesting. But Sage Everett is only kind to him. With the rest of us? We get nothing but harsh punishments. Even my senior apprentice, who's calm and steady, he sees as too frivolous."Dominic gasped in surprise. "Wait, so you two are fellow apprentices?"Carissa corrected quickly. "He joined later than I did, so he's my junior apprentice.""So, how does this junior apprentic
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 923
Carissa tapped the rim of the bowl, her nails clinking against the glass. A soft, clear sound rang out."Sometimes, not crying and not making a scene is actually more painful than the tears and noise," she murmured."I figured that out later," Violet said, rising to her feet and wrapping her arms around her friend. "That's why I'll always be by your side, until you give me back that arrogant Carissa from Blue Stone Spring."Carissa pushed her away gently, quickly wiping away tears that had fallen.She smiled and asked, "Does it have to be the Carissa from Blue Stone Spring? What about the one who beat you under the apple tree? Or the one who beat you outside the Inferno Guild? Or the one who defeated you on the mountaintop..."Violet ground her teeth in frustration. "Shut up already! It looks like you haven't had enough of my life's bitter, sour, sweet, and salty. How about I bring you a whole pot of it and see if I can numb your tongue?"She put her hands on Carissa's shoulders.
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 924
The next evening, Cindy arrived in the capital. She didn't go anywhere else first, but made her way straight to Hell Monarch Estate.Carissa had known her third aunt was coming back, but hadn't expected it to be so soon. Dominic had said it would be several days before they could meet. When she heard Violet cheerfully bounce over to inform her of Cindy's arrival, she had just taken off half of her official uniform. She quickly put it back on and dashed out.It was still light out, and the sunset was beautiful. The evening glow painted the sky with layers of soft red and orange, casting a warm light over Cindy, who was directing the servants as they carried her things inside."Aunt Cindy!"At the sound of her name, Cindy quickly turned around. Before she could even get a clear look, a figure rushed toward her and enveloped her in a tight hug.With Carissa in her arms, it finally felt real. Tears immediately welled up but were quickly held back, leaving only a sharp pang in her nose
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 925
After Carissa sent someone to call Rafael over, Cindy said, "I've heard that Lady Helen is staying here. Please take me to her so I can greet her."Reminded of this, Carissa quickly agreed, "Alright, we'll go now."Helen had already heard from Gillian when Cindy entered the estate. Knowing that Carissa and her aunt hadn't seen each other in such a long time, Helen figured they would have plenty to talk about. She decided to stay in for the evening meal so they could have some time to catch up.Not long after, Carissa and Violet brought Cindy in to pay their respects. Helen was quite pleased; she could tell that Cindy was well-raised and followed proper etiquette. After Cindy performed the formalities, Helen motioned for her to sit down, eager to chat."It must have been a long journey. Were you exhausted?" she asked.Cindy glanced at Carissa with affectionate eyes. "My heart was set on returning home, so it didn't feel tiring at all."Seeing the loving expression on Cindy's face,
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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
