Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Salvador's eyes were filled with guilt. "It is my fault, Mom."

"I could remind you of your bond with the Sinclair family, speak of the past, and ask you to forget your position as king and treat Ryan as an elder would," Victoria continued, "but I will not do so. If you need to be reminded of a relationship to remember it, then that bond was never genuine in the first place. So, I will be direct with you: You must treat him well. No one is allowed to bully him."

Her words stirred many memories within Salvador.

It was as if he had just remembered that he too once had had close friends. When he formed his alliance with the Sinclair family, he didn't act with ulterior motives-his friendship with them had been sincere.

When Hector and his sons died on the battlefield for the kingdom, Salvador had recently ascended the throne. His mind had been consumed with securing his position, gaining the loyalty of his subjects, and building achievements.

He valued the success of reclaiming the Southern Frontier, and when he first learned of the Sinclair family's deaths, he didn't immediately mourn. Instead, he was consumed with worry. He sent his younger brother to the Southern Frontier, always waiting for news of

success.

In the midst of waiting, he had inadvertently pushed aside the grief over the Sinclair family's men's sacrifice. By the time the great victory came, all he felt was happiness.

Now, Victoria's words brought it all back to him. He lingered in those memories, the weight of guilt and sorrow slowly creeping into his heart. As he stood, his eyes were brimming with tears. He bowed deeply, his voice thick with emotion.

will never happen again, Mom. As long as I live, no one

to touch her lips. "I believe you, my son. Your

for Ryan to be sent out of the palace, providing him with two carts of

made his

her face filled with worry. She had been deeply frightened when Barrett arrived

bringing Connor back to Everspring Palace, Kylie couldn't bear to scold

spoiling her son, but she simply couldn't help herself. Connor's birth had given her enough confidence-she didn't need to fight for anything. His future as the crown

her deep affection for him, she naturally

walked in without a word, sitting down without immediately addressing her. He had already learned that Kylie had not only refrained from punishing Connor, but comforted

heart fluttering, but she knew she had to speak up for her son. "Your Majesty, it is my

was calm. "How

his palms,"

eyebrow.

hesitated and averted

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