Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Connor clutched the tree with both hands and leaned forward, pressing his face against its rough surface.

His eyes were clouded with confusion as he murmured, "I don't know. My mom has always been good to me, but that one time... my stomach hurt so terribly. It was so bad that it made me wish for death itself."

Connor turned to Ryan and asked, "Does Aunt Carissa treat you well?"

The eldest prince knew that his friend's mother had passed away. In the past, Connor would have spoken of such things without hesitation, but he was more sensible now. Also, Ryan was an important friend to him, and he didn't want to bring up anything that made him sad.

Victoria had often spoken of the importance of true friendship-the care and respect it entailed.

"Aunt Carissa is very good to me, especially so," Ryan responded.

"Then, do you think she would ever poison you for some purpose? Regardless of whether you were in pain until you wished for death?" Connor asked.

Ryan didn't even need to consider the question. His answer was immediate.

"No, of course not."

it were for

lived as a beggar on the streets, he understood the complexities of

Carissa wouldn't do such a thing, wouldn't that just fuel Connor's resentment toward

lie to each

my future, Aunt Carissa would surely find another way. But perhaps

in my dazed state, I heard the royal physician whisper that the poison could have

Majesty would never have wanted that. She wouldn't want you dead," Ryan said,

me dead. But the truth is, I was ready to listen to Aunt Carissa and apologize to my father. Still, my mother decided to do what she

gently ruffled the prince's hair. "That's not true. A mother would never think her

I really that stupid?" Connor muttered dejectedly,

Young and Uncle Rafael have said you've made great progress lately. If you were stupid, you wouldn't

slightly. "But you've already mastered those maneuvers. We learned together, and even Caden can

to others. Compare yourself to yourself. Haven't you already made progress?"

mantra. Whenever he felt exhausted or on the verge of giving up, he would repeat those words

shadows in Connor's eyes lightened a little

right. I won't compare myself to anyone else. I'll compare myself to who I was yesterday. And when I'm better, Mom won't see me as a disgrace