Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 960

Once Carissa arrived at Silverstone Estate, she quickly briefed Zoey on the situation.

Zoey immediately said, "This involves General Sullivan, so not a moment can be wasted. I'll go immediately."

Since Barrett had been taken to the Ministry of Justice, Viola had been on edge. She had even returned to her family for help, hoping they could pull some strings on Barrett's behalf. However, Zoey outright refused.

"This is a matter between kingdoms," Zoey had said. "What could a woman like me possibly do to change anything?"

Still, Zoey had made inquiries. She learned that while Barrett was detained at the Ministry of Justice, he was being given special treatment and hadn't suffered any undue hardship.

Zoey shared this information with Viola, but it did little to calm her. She complained incessantly, saying she had worked so hard to see Barrett appointed as commander of the Nightsteel Guard, only for him to end up in prison because of Aurora. She even blamed Natalie for arranging the marriage and Evelyn for agreeing to it.

Zoey had scolded Viola for her complaints, urging her to show more resilience and take responsibility for her choices.

Faced with Zoey's rare display of anger, Viola hadn't dared to argue further and returned to Valor Estate. Once home, she refused to handle any household affairs and left everything to her father-in-law, Jonathan. Word got out, and it became a source of ridicule for some time.

When Zoey arrived at Valor Estate, her first request was for Viola to bring her all the servant contracts.

but Zoey simply replied, "I'm looking for a way

but Zoey, looking visibly anxious, brushed her off. "I'll explain

retrieved the contracts and handed them over before retreating

and then summoned the steward to question him about the origins of the household staff, focusing particularly on those who served Aurora. After

until now. Investigating this window of time would yield the most accurate results. If nothing came to light, she would consider earlier periods. The gatekeeper kept records of entries and exits, though his diligence was

attendants from the inner household rarely left the estate, except for errands like shopping. As for the male servants, Aurora hadn't employed any in her courtyard for some time. The steward confirmed this. Ever since Aurora survived an assassination attempt, she had forbidden male servants from

for her precautions—she was genuinely afraid that a strong male servant might smuggle in a weapon and take advantage of a moment of inattention to harm her. Her measures were extreme, but they reflected a deeply ingrained sense

this in mind, Zoey

no men were allowed in Blessed Haven, any

added an

chance of information leaking. With things done in such a thorough manner,

intermediaries.

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household staff, excluding those who worked directly in Blessed Haven. She asked whether anyone had seen the maids or attendants from Blessed Haven leave the estate alone,

various details from the past few months. Most of it was

she knew she had to sift through the mountain of trivial anecdotes

nightfall, her persistence paid

of the servants,