Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

When the palace gates opened, Rafael and Thomas entered to meet Salvador.

The king was in the midst of his breakfast, and he beckoned them to sit. Everyone, except for Derek, was waiting outside in the hall.

By the time Rafael and Thomas arrived, they had already coordinated their statements. They would tell Salvador everything, except for the fact that they had concealed the appearance of Alistair and Kevin outside the city.

Alistair was less of a concern, as he wasn't accompanied by many men. However, Kevin had just been promoted and was now part of the king's Nightsteel Guard. His reckless actions going out and attacking people without regard-might not draw the king's immediate ire, but it would certainly cause discomfort. In time, it could even affect his career.

After hearing their report, Salvador remained silent for a long time and continued to sip at his bowl of millet porridge. Setting his spoon down, he started taking bites of a pastry. Though quiet, his mind was already at work, weighing his thoughts on the matter. Without raising his gaze, he asked calmly, "Are his injuries serious?"

"It's nothing too serious, Your Majesty," Rafael replied. "But he likely won't be able to perform his duties to have any more children in the future."

Salvador smiled faintly and continued eating his pastry. He didn't speak again until he finished the whole thing.

Then, he said, "Let's handle it as though he kidnapped a common woman. That way, the Spencer family's reputation remains intact. And when the common woman was saved, he... got a good beating from the unknown hero. That seems like a fitting punishment. What's left is to issue a reprimand and conduct a formal investigation, and we'll close the matter with that."

As he spoke, he stood and turned, flashing them a brief smile. "You two continue eating. Have more, you've worked hard."

were indeed famished after a long night, and they accepted the invitation

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

breakfast was simple, and he ordered more to be brought for

just a few days, the entire capital would know about Yuvan's attempted assault on a woman, how he was struck down by a passing hero, and that he

the most was uncovering some of the hidden suicide soldiers. These suicide soldiers had been stationed in the capital with the sole purpose of

confirm that they were part of the same group as the earlier

ambitions, but his abilities were mediocre. He had only risen through the support of others. His status made him suitable to be pushed into the spotlight, especially since he had an influential elder sister, a grand princess, in the capital. Anything that Eleanor could help him with, it was

Rafael had reminded

investigate, nothing had been found. This meant that Rafael's suspicion had been correct-Yuvan, who believed he was in control of everything, was nothing more than a pawn in

of Yuvan's attempted abduction of a respectable woman spread

a low profile, and his family rarely attended social events. Even when there were celebrations in

implicated. As the Marquis of Ironridge's family bore the brunt of

the capital to care for his ailing mom was seen as a favor from the king. His reputation was generally good, and his late princess consort, Avis, was seen as

woman.

a woman from the Spencer family