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."

if it were for your

Having lived as a beggar on the streets, he understood

wouldn't do such a thing, wouldn't that just fuel Connor's resentment toward Kylie? But if

shouldn't lie to each

find another way. But perhaps your mother couldn't think of any other solution at that time,

the royal physician

that. She

I was ready to listen to Aunt Carissa and apologize to my father. Still, my mother decided to do what she did. She just couldn't accept having such an

prince's hair. "That's not true. A mother would never think

Connor muttered dejectedly, pressing his

and Uncle Rafael have said you've made great progress lately. If you were stupid, you wouldn't be able to learn at all.

already mastered those maneuvers. We learned together, and even Caden can do it

others. Compare yourself to yourself. Haven't you already made

prince's personal mantra. Whenever he felt exhausted or on the verge of

Connor's eyes lightened a little as he

I was yesterday. And when I'm better, Mom won't see me as a disgrace anymore,"