Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Naturally, Dorothy's head never made contact with the pillar. With so many people in the room and her actions being so slow, her children and grandchildren had plenty of time to pull her back. Dorothy had only intended to use that act as a way to scare Rafael, hoping it would stop the household soldiers from smashing things.

But Rafael's expression remained cold, and the household soldiers didn't pause in their destruction. They continued to smash anything in sight, sending some of the more timid women screaming and fleeing to the back courtyard.

Dorothy was furious, her vision darkening with anger. She hadn't expected Rafael to be so brazen, completely unafraid of her threat to bash her own head in.

The soldiers didn't go into the inner courtyard, as it was off-limits to men. Travis knew this rule well, so they restricted their rampage to the front courtyard and the main hall.

Noah watched the scene with a pale face. He knew very well why Rafael was so enraged tonight-because his son, Samuel, had pushed Leona earlier today, causing her to suffer complications with her pregnancy.

It wasn't that he didn't want to punish his son, but Samuel had already lost two teeth as a result of the beating he received from Alana. With blood filling her grandson's mouth, Dorothy's heart ached too much to mete out further punishment.

Moreover, no one from Hartstone Estate had come to reprimand them directly, so they had held on to a sliver of hope that the situation would pass. However, Helen had come late at night specifically to stir up this matter, scolding them to provoke a confrontation, which then gave Rafael and Carissa an excuse to step in.

Noah knew that they were in the wrong from the start. So, no matter what Rafael did tonight, they could only endure it. If word got out, the narrative would turn into the Earl of Gracehold's household attacking Helen-a crime of insubordination.

If the matter was pursued further, it would reflect poorly on Samuel, who, after losing his position, showed no remorse. He had mistreated Leona, his legitimate wife, while favoring a concubine, which led to Leona's pregnancy complications and her need to rest in bed for a month.

Hell Monarch's fury, though

stood with defiant pride. In his mind, he had already composed several articles denouncing the Hell Monarch. He was convinced that once these articles spread, many scholars would rise to condemn Rafael for using his military power

the National Academy had once idolized Samuel. As long as he led the charge, articles condemning the Hell Monarch would

even more outrageously. The more

head, making them seem like a pair of tragic lovers rejected by

truth, the sight unfolding

even startled Helen.

an outward appearance of calm, but it was all an act. The hand she kept hidden under her dress was trembling

entire front courtyard was in shambles. Everything that

chairs, tables, partition screens, and the antiques on the shelves

But Abigail held onto her

again.

wanted to put up a fight, it was clear that Rafael wasn't intimidated. His face remained expressionless, with not the slightest hint

her