Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1238

In the end, Malcolm left.

Watching his retreating figure, Carissa couldn't help but think how far he had fallen from the confident, imposing official he used to be. He hadn't seemed this defeated even after the scandal about his mistress. Now, it was as if the weight of the world had struck him down, leaving him utterly broken.

Though she stepped outside for a brief walk, exhaustion did not settle over her. Instead, she called for Michael to come speak with her.

"Your Grace, you can return home now. I can manage things here," Michael said.

"It's fine. It's already three in the morning," Carissa replied. "Better to avoid any complications. There are several prominent families outside, and some of them can cause trouble without a second thought. You won't be able to handle it. Plus, His Majesty never intended for them to make a public spectacle. If things get too out of hand and those detained get dragged out one by one, it'll be hard to explain to His Majesty." "That's true," Michael agreed, nodding in understanding.

The next day, neither Malcolm nor Carissa could move fast enough-the Marquis of Glandale was ahead of them.

Fabian entered the room carrying thorn branches on his back as a sign of his submission, then began to weep. He claimed that the gentlemen's retreats were originally Eleanor's. After her downfall, he had planned to shut them down, but had continued to operate them at Gerald's suggestion.

Essentially, Fabian had turned around and cast Gerald to the wolves.

He chose the path that would offend the Quinton family the most because he knew about the spies from Sandoria. He understood that someone had to take the fall for this, and it was clearly going to be him. The only way to save himself and his family was to drag Gerald down with him.

However, the cost was high-he had effectively ruined any chance of repairing relations with the Quinton family.

Gerald was no longer just a guest at the gentlemen's retreat-he was also the reason the establishments

Sigmund's reputation, he would likely try to downplay this

against his thick clothing. It wasn't painful, but the impact was

please forgive me!" he cried

his thorn branches, Malcolm

Your Majesty.

contain his anger. "The Quinton family isn't just confused, you've gone too far! I've been lenient with you time and time again, turning a blind

fully grasp Salvador's words. He could do nothing

delivering the news that

Malcolm, "Go outside and kneel. Don't dirty my eyes

and furious, he crawled and stumbled out, joining Fabian on

the hall and knelt on one knee. "Greetings,

his voice

his order to sweep the gentlemen's retreats had been to find the Sandorian spies and to serve as a warning to the officials and noble families. He hadn't expected that in the process, he

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

remained silent, hands clasped behind her back. "You knew about Lord Gerald's visits to the gentlemen's retreat, didn't you?" Salvador asked, his sharp gaze bearing into her, as though

gaze calmly and admitted, "Yes, Your

why didn't you report