Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1184

Zoey sat beside Courtney on a stone bench in the garden. The courtyard was filled with flowers and shrubs, but their growth was sparse. In the cold of winter, the plants appeared even more withered and desolate. "Why did you defend your uncle... I mean, why did you speak up for General Farrell?"

Zoey gently dabbed her daughter's face with a handkerchief, pressing lightly around the bruise. Thankfully, there was no blood and it wasn't a deep wound. If it had been, Courtney's face could have been scarred. Yet, the palm print was still so clear, making Zoey's chest tighten with worry.

She was curious as to why her daughter had chosen to stand up for Thomas. Zoey had made sure to keep the household matters hidden from the children, especially when those matters grew messy. She thought she had kept things well-guarded, but recent rumors seemed to be affecting them. She wondered how much the children knew, or thought they knew, about the situation.

Courtney lifted her swollen cheek. Her eyes, though clear and pure, showed a maturity that didn't quite match her age.

"Mom, do you remember what Uncle Thomas gave me when he and Aunt Viola visited after their wedding?"

Zoey thought for a moment, then replied, "I remember. The maid gave you and Cedric a handful of gold coins and golden locks. They were quite generous."

Courtney shook her head, her gaze firm. "It was Mrs. Ashford's book of travels, Chronicles of the Mountains and Rivers. Uncle Thomas told me that in this world, few women get to leave their birthplace, unless they marry out. However, the world beyond is vast. "Even if we can't see it with our own eyes, we should know about the beauty of our kingdom. We should understand how wide the sky is, and how high it stretches. That way, we won't be narrow-minded or caught up in petty troubles. We won't sacrifice our own happiness just to please others."

taken aback. Was

been focused on what gifts Thomas had brought to the Prince family, and whether Viola was being treated well

wronged or angry? How can he let those things go so easily? Those things must have hurt him.

when

always so uninterested. His wounds

uncle anymore, I still care about him, still feel that, as a

stared at her daughter,

her mind, Courtney had

rarely voiced her

had raised her according to the manners of a noble young lady, teaching her to keep her emotions in check and not let

a weakness, making it easy for others to

often felt like self-sacrifice. Now, more than ever, she wished her daughter would find her own voice, stand firm in her beliefs, and not be so restrained. She hoped she could live her life freely, without being bound by rules or others' expectations. Unexpectedly, it turned out