Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

The snacks at Glimmering Tower were numerous and exquisite, each more delicious than the last. Even a simple pound cake was sweet without being cloying, with a fragrant and chewy texture that melted in the mouth. Violet took a bite, and said with a smile, "This was my favorite treat when I was little. Our chef didn't make it, so my brother would sneak out to buy it for me. We loved hiding under the apple tree and eating pound cakes together." She gazed out the window as sunlight streamed in and illuminated her face, which was alight with smiles and memories.

"It was often on bright autumn days like this one. But back then, in September, it didn't get as cool as it does in the capital. Sometimes, it was quite hot. The sunlight would filter through the tree branches and cast a warm glow on my brother's face."

As Violet spoke, her hand brushed over the rabbit figurine beside her, and she sighed softly. "But it's been so long since I've seen him."

Darin was momentarily stunned. The scene Violet described vividly appeared in her mind, and her gaze lingered on the rabbit figurine.

For some reason, her chest felt tight. It was as if something were stuck there, making her uncomfortable.

Darin couldn't help but ask, "Ms. Spencer, is this a rabbit figurine?"

Violet nodded, a smile still gracing her lips. "Yes, this is a gift from my brother. One year after I fell from the apple tree, my mother grounded me, and I couldn't go out to watch the lantern show during the Starlight Harvest Festival. So my brother made this little rabbit for me with his own hands. Isn't it ugly? I didn't like it at the time, and I even threw it. Do you see the ear? That's where it broke when I threw it on the ground in my anger."

She pushed the rabbit figurine toward Darin. "Here, take a look."

the rather unsightly rabbit figurine that had been thrust into her view, and

crying? You're grounded! You

it! It's too ugly! This isn't even a rabbit! I don't want

Crash!

I made it

don't want it!

in Darin's ears, and Darin was filled with immense grievance. She instinctively recoiled her hand, realizing too late that her face

inside, it felt as if her heart was being pricked by a thousand needles, each

her, then reached out to reclaim the rabbit figurine. Darin instinctively clutched it close, her voice thick with emotion as

waves crashing against the boats in the harbor. Taking a deep breath

been on the brink of death, and had been abandoned on a small

memory she

her that as long as she still had breath, it was up to her whether she would survive. In

being tossed off a cart