Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

After Harvey and Heather left, the servants in Gracehold Estate were busy cleaning up. Apart from Samuel and Ruby, who remained in the sitting room, everyone else dispersed. Even Abigail did not stay as she escorted Dorothy back to her quarters.

Before leaving, Dorothy gave strict orders that Noah was not to make things difficult for Samuel.

"Which of the young men in this family is as outstanding as he is? The king personally selected Samuel as one of the top scholars. Him losing his position is only a temporary setback. Which family doesn't have multiple wives and concubines? It's just that some petty people are stirring up trouble."

"Mom, go rest," Noah responded, but he didn't agree. He simply gestured for his wife to escort Dorothy away.

Noah then turned his gaze to Ruby, who was sobbing uncontrollably in Samuel's arms. He felt a surge of frustration.

"Why are you crying? If you hadn't provoked Leona, would tonight's events have happened?"

Still shielding Ruby, Samuel spoke up, "Dad, how can you blame Ruby? You've seen how vicious the people in Leona's quarters are. They even dared to strike me, your son!"

"You insolent brat, shut your mouth!" Noah snapped before turning his fury back on Ruby. "You will go outside and stand in a corner, out in the cold. Don't you dare move until I tell you to."

Samuel immediately stepped forward to protect her. "She can't! She's already been dragged and injured by that vicious woman. Just look at her face..."

rage. He slapped his son across the face and bellowed, "Insolent child! Don't you realize the disaster that's

then we'll leave the estate. I'll give up my title as heir. Whoever wants it can have

off to pack his

in his chair, listening to a servant report that Samuel had packed up his belongings, including his ink, brushes, and many of the books

didn't. She helped him

courtesan at

with what Violet had mentioned, Noah was now almost certain that Ruby was here to sow discord, sent by Eleanor to disrupt

had initially considered two possibilities. The first was that Ruby had been sold off to a brothel after falling out of Eleanor's favor. The second

he was almost certain it was the

had once been a

distinguished nobleman with a future

century-old reputation of the Earl of Gracehold's family by bringing a woman from a brothel into their home. His relationship with

him by

Oversight Department, which

the

position.