Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

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When Carissa arrived at Gracehold Estate, the servants came out to greet her. After all, they were mindful of her status as a princess consort.

That was precisely the kind of attention Carissa found bothersome, which was why she rarely visited. She waited for the formalities to conclude before seeking out Leona.

When Leona saw her cousin approaching, her face lit up with joy. She waddled out with her prominent belly to meet Carissa.

Carissa naturally took Leona's hand, gently placing the other on the latter's belly. "How are you feeling with such a big bump? Is it uncomfortable?"

"Not too bad, just a bit restless at night," Leona replied with a smile. "The hardest days are behind me. Back when I had to stay in bed to keep the baby safe, I ended up feeling so nauseous from lying down all the time." "Once the baby arrives, it'll all be worth it," Carissa reassured her.

Once inside, she found Alana and Leah in the inner room-one sewing clothes, the other working on a net. They looked up and greeted her as she entered.

"You're here, Carissa."

"Hello, Alana, Leah." Carissa returned the greeting with a respectful nod.

There was another woman in the room who was embroidering. Upon hearing that the Hell Monarch's princess consort had arrived, the woman quickly stood and bowed.

"Greetings, Lady Carissa."

family who had entered the family with Ruby. She appeared

nodded slightly. "No need for such

Leona said, looking noticeably more cheerful. "She shares many amusing stories with me. Her dad used to take her and her siblings with him on his business trips, so she's quite knowledgeable."

to Alana, mentioning they would be useful during the delivery. Alana promptly locked them away in the cabinet. Samuel, who had been cursing Carissa daily, fell silent upon learning

time Zoey visited, she returned the death pension and money for the shops, so they didn't expect her

for a while, Thomas returned home. When

the pleasantries. "I need to speak with you privately for a

about what Viola had mentioned the other day.

uneasy, and

smiled reassuringly. "No,

from the Southern Frontier, and I wanted ask about... the situation there not something I can inquire about with anyone else, so I thought

It's

to ask him directly."

had any women on the

up on this, and smiled knowingly. "Alright, you two go

was furnished in a simple manner. There was a large black desk, matching black chairs, and two towering bookshelves filled with books. A few swords hung on the walls, and

of the desk, two on each side. Thomas

point. "Viola has contacted

an

she mentioned the assassination attempt at Valor Estate. She also told me that Julia and Yvonne are both dead. I've been