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."

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

hurt when you fell, right? Why are you crying? You're grounded! You won't come with us to the Starlight Harvest Festival to watch the lantern

It's too ugly! This isn't even a

Crash!

I made

it!

and Darin was filled with immense grievance. She instinctively recoiled her hand, realizing too late that her face was streaked

it felt as if her heart

rabbit figurine. Darin instinctively clutched it close, her voice thick

waves crashing against the boats in the harbor. Taking a deep breath memories flooded back to her like the tide. The rabbit figurine and Violet's words had torn open a wound, releasing buried memories deep within her

the day the performance troupe leader, Lucas, found her. She had been on the brink of death, and had been

memory

breath, it was up to her whether she would survive.

a cart when she