Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Lydia had no choice but to try and meet with Connor.

However, the study hall was strictly off-limits to unauthorized personnel. If she wanted to see him, she had to wait for the brief moments when he left-either on his way back to Serenity Palace or while heading to the training grounds.

Even then, she could only watch from a distance. A swarm of attendants and guards surrounded him at all times, making it nearly impossible to catch more than a fleeting glimpse.

On some days, she couldn't see him at all. The royal guards, towering and broad- shouldered, flanked him in two rows. They shielded him so thoroughly that even the tip of his head was obscured.

She attempted to bribe them, offering money in exchange for a mere hour of Connor's time. But these men were guards whom Victoria had personally chosen. They were unyielding and incorruptible. Forget silver coins, even gold coins wouldn't tempt them.

Victoria had chosen the simplest, most crude method of protection. Even Salvador himself required an escort to visit the boy.

By contrast, Caden enjoyed a degree of freedom. As Grace had held authority over the harem for a while, she had her own network of people stationed throughout the palace and could protect her son.

Still, Victoria had placed watchers of her own. Not to guard against danger, but against ambition.

Both Kylie and Grace were uneasy, their hearts restless.

For a time, the queen had been pleased, but doubt soon crept in. Without an official announcement of who had been chosen as crown prince, Caden still had a chance-however slim-to contend for the position. As long as the edict remained sealed, Grace would hold on to hope.

In Kylie's mind, it was better if everyone else abandoned their ambitions. Then, no danger would remain.

that the royal edict would most likely contain Connor's name. However, the delay in announcing the

one could rise to power simply by waiting for the

seized,

overlook Connor. With his arrogance and reckless temper, the eldest prince had seemed an

way her son could have a future was if Connor didn't. If the

heavy stain of the crime of plotting against a royal heir. Though she had not been

had to

with Victoria guarding him so fiercely, how could Grace

was trying to have him return to Everspring Palace. So, she waited, as the only

utterly useless. Not only had she failed to bring the boy back to her palace,

already suspected the name

searched for an opportunity to strike. The act itself would be difficult, but what was even harder was

palace, making it well known that Kylie and Sylvia had

stepped forward and said, "Your Grace, Lady Carissa recently visited Lady Sylvia. If this matter sparks another dispute between Queen Kylie and Lady Sylvia, it could cause a

it

dismissively. "No. Lady Carissa must

like lifting a stone only to drop

need to fan the flames any further. The grudge between them js already known. If we escalate matters now, the queen dowager and the king may step in to resolve the conflict, and all our groundwork Will