Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Avis gripped Carissa's wrist tightly, glancing anxiously outside. Her breathing was rapid, and she struggled to keep her voice steady.

"Listen to me. Prince Yuvan is not a good man. He has been conspiring with Grand Princess Eleanor."

Carissa was stunned. "What?"

She hurriedly sent everyone out, instructing Violet to stand guard at the door.

"Aunt Avis, what do you mean by that?"

Avis' head sank, her voice filled with fear and cold dread as she continued, "Over the years, he has been secretly raising troops in Valken, funded by Grand Princess Eleanor and Lady Fiona. Those soldiers are hidden in Stonebridge County."

Carissa knew Stonebridge County. It was Eleanor's fief, the dowry the late king had given her.

"Do not offend him. Do not become his enemy. He is not as simple as outsiders think," Avis said, her breath growing weaker.

Perhaps the revelation of this secret had frightened her deeply.

"Over the years, he has caused a scandal with his favoritism and abandoning his wife. Do you really think he favors Lady Fiona? It's just a ploy to create a bad reputation and deceive the current king," Avis added.

Carissa was horrified.

Yuvan to be a worthless, idle man-at least, Carissa had

but Stonebridge County was Eleanor's territory, and she hadn't even settled there. So, why would Salvador keep an eye on

Eleanor was so brazenly

strength and drifted into a deep,

slightly better, eating half a bowl of oatmeal for lunch and another half for dinner. She

was overjoyed at her aunt's improvement. She urged Avis to rest well, hoping that after

as she

the silent exchange of glances between Ivy and Jasmine, both of whom sighed

knocking at the door and her choked

up, gasping for breath as if she

keeping watch through the night, discovered that Avis had stopped breathing when she got up to offer her some

had not survived the year, dying quietly

hearing the news of Avis' death, he held Carissa tightly. He expected her to cry, but she

arms, her voice was faint, "She's gone. Perhaps it's

The desolation they exuded seemed to carry a faint aura

died in such

her husband or children by her side. Thankfully, Carissa Kad come. Otherwise, when Avis passed, she would have been entirely alone. And with her exalted status

all the more