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.

guest at the gentlemen's retreat-he was also the reason the

mindful of Sigmund's reputation, he would

Malcolm entered the palace, he was met with Salvador's fury. A heavy inkpot flew toward him, landing with a thud against his thick clothing. It wasn't painful, but the impact was enough to make his legs buckle, and he fell to his

Majesty, please forgive

seeing the man kneeling outside with his thorn branches, Malcolm could guess that the truth

was momentarily confused, Your

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 eye to many things, yet you dare to take on Eleanor's business? The gentlemen's retreats housed

shaken, Malcolm didn't fully grasp Salvador's words. He could do nothing but continue

news that Carissa

simmered down slightly as he snapped at Malcolm, "Go outside and

word "dirty" struck Malcolm like a physical blow. Humiliated and furious, he crawled and stumbled out,

knelt

Salvador said, his

had been to find the Sandorian spies and to serve as a warning to the officials

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

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 accusing her of withholding the

his gaze calmly and

why didn't you report