Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1417

This pattern continued for nearly ten days.

Back at the estate, Carissa discussed it with Jacob and Kyle, but no one could make sense of Salvador's intentions.

At first, they assumed the king was trying to gather information about the Pathfinders Guild. After all, Adrian had not only modified the six-barreled matchlock and red cannon for this battle, but had also rallied numerous martial arts guilds to defend the capital.

Given Salvador's naturally suspicious nature, it wouldn't have been surprising if he harbored doubts. But the more time passed, the more it seemed like that wasn't the case. The king didn't show much interest in the specifics of Meadow Ridge or Adrian's actions. Instead, he seemed more entertained by Carissa's childhood escapades.

In recent days, Salvador's favorite stories were those of her mischief at Meadow Ridge-brawling, causing trouble, and forcing her mentor to go door-to-door apologizing and paying reparations. Whenever she recounted those tales, Salvador laughed uncontrollably. He would lean forward with tears in his eyes from how hard he laughed.

Carissa couldn't understand what was so amusing. Those incidents had all ended with her being punished: scolded by Everett, grounded, forced to balance a heavy jar on her head, smacked on the palms, or made to kneel on nails.

In one particularly harrowing instance, she was forced to squat in a horse stance for two hours while a candle burned beneath her. It was a common occurrence for her pants to catch fire during those punishments.

She thought those humiliating stories would bore the king, given that he disliked unruly behavior. After all, when Connor had acted out in his youth, Salvador had been furious.

Yet, he seemed oddly addicted to these anecdotes. Just this morning, he had even asked if they had ever blown up cow dung in the mountains. He claimed it was the most entertaining thing a child could do. Carissa's lips twitched for a long moment before she responded, "We did, but why do you find that amusing, Your Majesty? Surely, you aren't telling me you've done it yourself."

about it. He was always too slow to run and ended up covered in

likely that Salvador had been slow, and Nathan

in his eyes dimmed and his expression softened. He sighed

eyes reddening, Carissa's heart ached as though an old wound had been torn open. The

she asked, "What did you dream

worth mentioning." Salvador's tone was distant now,

waved a hand dismissively, signaling that he

bowed and

was genuine or if it carried some hidden meaning. She didn't want to guess, nor did she want Salvador to use Nathan as a pretense for anything. If this

palace. Instead,

he had expected her. At the bend of a corridor, he paused and turned back. His expression was calm

are you still

ask you, Mr. Walker," Carissa said, stepping forward with a respectful nod. Her expression betrayed her unease. "There are matters

perplexed,

In the distance, a few palace attendants moved about, but

her voice, she asked, "Will speaking to you in

won't," Derek

an hour or