Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

After Samuel settled down, he immediately began drafting a scathing article condemning the Hell Monarch. Once he finished, he reached out to his old scholar friends, inviting over a dozen people to join him. However, only three or four actually showed up.

Those who did come were stunned after reading his article. They quickly made excuses, claiming they had urgent matters to attend to, and hurriedly left.

Samuel was bewildered.

He chased after one of them, grabbing him by the arm and asking, "You all read how the Hell Monarch bullied me. Aren't you going to help?"

The scholar's name was Sean. He entered the National Academy last year and had once deeply admired Samuel-before Samuel brought a courtesan from a brothel into his home. Today, Sean had come merely out of respect for old ties.

Samuel's article boldly and repeatedly denounced the prince who had just reclaimed the Southern Frontier. It accused the Hell Monarch of disrespecting women-specifically, of disrespecting Ruby. Sean was left speechless.

Once that article was published, the whole world would criticize Samuel and curse his name.

Sean wanted no part of this mess.

In response to Samuel's questioning, he merely said, "If you're upright and set a good example, people will follow without orders. But if you're not, no command will make them obey!" With that, Sean nodded respectfully and left.

Samuel's face turned red with rage. Not only was he one of the top scholars, he was an honored scholar chosen by the king himself. How could he be accused of being anything less than upright? Turns out, his scholar friends were all just a bunch of spineless bootlickers. He used to think they had some integrity, but now it was clear-they were all terrified of the Hell Monarch's reputation.

In his fury, Samuel smashed things in the coffeehouse. However, the coffeehouse staff weren't about to indulge his tantrum. Despite his angry outburst and boastful claims of his lofty status, the shopkeeper remained indifferent and demanded Samuel pay for the damages.

returned to his office. Meanwhile, Helen sat

she grabbed her hand and asked, "Carissa, what's the story with

likely that more women will be sent to

why? Why would she send her own illegitimate daughter to a filthy place like a brothel?

secret, so as long as it

her brain, trying to understand the situation. However, she couldn't make

concubines and their children? Yet, she was the one who arranged

In

her

with him. Also, with status, it's hard to believe she would be so harsh toward his concubines' children. If this were to get out, her reputation

had spent years carefully cultivating her

close relationships with noble

she had

her husband

even personally

admiration for her supposed

tolerance and generosity.

the past, they were quickly hushed up, and Eleanor