Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1186

Malcolm stood frozen in place, his face burning with a sharp sting, though no slap had been delivered. It was only then that he realized his recklessness-his impulsive actions had brought the matter of the students at Gracewood Women's Academy all the way to the royal

court.

With Salvador telling him to stay behind, he stood there, unmoving, until the court session ended.

Left alone in the king's private study, Malcolm was instructed to wait outside. The biting cold of the winter wind cut through him like a blade as he stood there for four full hours, not once being summoned in.

A swirl of emotions churned inside him, but the most prominent was anger. He was the king's father-in-law. Surely, even if his actions were misguided, Salvador should not have left him to suffer in the cold.

By the end of the four hours, his body was nearly frozen, stiff from the cold. Derek, noticing his distress, brought him a small warming stove. The faint warmth provided a small relief from the icy grip of winter.

lan quickly entered the study, and after a brief exchange with the king, returned to stand before Malcolm.

"Lord Quinton, what are you doing here?" lan asked, surprised.

Shivering, Malcolm forced out through clenched teeth, "Waiting to be summoned by His Majesty."

lan's eyes widened. "His Majesty just ordered me to find you. He was wondering where you'd gone-he's been waiting for you! Please go in at once. His Majesty is growing impatient."

Malcolm barely managed a stiff nod of thanks before forcing his frozen limbs into motion and entering the study.

He greeted Salvador and took a seat like he usually did. However, he could sense the king's anger simmering beneath the surface. The four hours of waiting had been nothing more than a quiet reprimand. However, as it was regarding something trivial like Gracewood Women's Academy, Malcolm was upset and couldn't accept it.

but before he could fully recover, Derek entered with a steaming cup of coffee and

up the documents. After reading them, his eyes widened in disbelief and

and Jocelyn had

had mocked him for being too old and trying to prey on

it seems like they've set their sights on General Farrell. It seemed that I was right to entrust him

a flicker of amusement

cold sweat break out across his back, his limbs

never meddled in

Salvador chuckled softly, adding,

head of the Quinton family, how can you not be involved in the marriages of your own kin? Hasn't this always been the case? I believe General Farrell is a

he knelt. He knew better than anyone how suspicious the king could be.

actions tightly controlled, fearful of even the smallest slip that might

it was not just a simple slip-it was about making Salvador mistakenly think the Quinton family had ambitions to help

it looked as though the Quinton family, in alliance with the queen, was forcing him to appoint

-

anxiously, her mind racing as she waited for news from her servants. Knowing Malcolm had been punished

last, the

bowing low as

Majesty, the rumors say

formal complaint against the headmistress of

Women's Academy, Lady Carissa.

This displeased His Majesty."

Kylie asked, her voice