Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1426

That evening, Jeremiah chose to stay in the palace.

Salvador still hadn't visited the harem, nor had he returned to his chambers. Instead, he had made his bed on the couch within the royal study.

Jeremiah watched as Salvador finished his medicine and then offered him a piece of candy.

Salvador accepted it, but he didn't eat it right away. His expression softened, and he smiled.

"I still remember. When I was younger, my dad would punish me here in the royal study. Afterward, you would always give me a piece of candy and say a word of encouragement."

Jeremiah glanced at Salvador. "Yes, I remember that as well. You used to tell me that you wished to be a wise ruler one day."

Salvador's smile faltered, and he bit into the candy. His voice grew muffled as he spoke. "Have I disappointed you, Mr. Murray?"

Jeremiah shook his head. "No, not at all. In my heart, you're a wise ruler, Your Majesty."

"I am not," Salvador said, his eyes darkening with a hint of regret. "I still have many ambitions, but I fear I may not have the chance to achieve them."

"The Royal Medical Department hasn't made a definitive diagnosis. You shouldn't be so disheartened." Jeremiah's words felt thin, lacking the warmth they were intended to carry.

Salvador sighed, his expression clouded. "I am disappointed, yes. But more than that, I am planning."

He reclined deeper into the couch, his gaze distant. "First, we must decide on the Crown Prince. What do you think of Connor, Mr. Murray?"

the eldest prince, and he's the son of the queen. He has matured greatly under the tutelage of Mr. Young. He is no longer the mischievous

off. "Time is something I don't have. What of

his studies, his diligence is evident. But whether he can maintain that effort, we cannot yet say. People and children especially are complex. I don't know enough about him to make a

gaze grew more intense. "And what of the Quinton family and Grace's natal family? Which poses the

to ask? How could Grace's family possibly compare to the Quinton

the second prince would always be in a questionable position-unless Kylie

the son of a deposed queen, while Caden

cause a

would undoubtedly be ruthless. It was hard to imagine how many heads would roll to calm the

directly. "Is it a problem with Prince Connor,

son, born from my queen and not concubines," Salvador replied, his voice steady but carrying a weight. "I value him

paused, then exhaled

is the kind of person

Right now, he's not unruly, but he's not even average, let alone exceptional. His improvements are measured only against his past behavior. And even then, it took a great deal of effort from Mr. Young and the queen

pause, Salvador

personality makes him, the perfect puppet. Even if he manages to rule on his own at 18, his

to be king. Over the years, I've been too busy with state affairs—wars, reforms, constant policies.

Kylie, who spoiled him too

live to my forties or fifties, there would still have been time

"Your Majesty..."

words. He had already sorted through his many thoughts in a single day. His mind was sharp, focusing on the core