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 your

Having lived as a beggar on

fuel Connor's resentment toward Kylie? But if he said Carissa would, that

lie to

surely find another way. But perhaps

royal physician whisper that the poison could have killed me.

She wouldn't want you

definitely didn't want 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 did.

reached over and gently ruffled the prince's hair. "That's not

I really that stupid?" Connor muttered

Even Mr. Young and Uncle Rafael have said you've made great progress lately. If you were stupid, you wouldn't be able to learn at all. And during riding practice tonight, your maneuvers

We learned

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

had told Ryan about how Carissa said those words to him during the Verdant Hunt. Ever since then, it became the eldest prince's personal mantra. Whenever he felt exhausted or on the verge of giving up, he would repeat those words to himself, drawing strength from them. Ryan had heard him say it a

eyes lightened

I'll compare myself to who I was yesterday. And when I'm better, Mom won't see me as a disgrace anymore," he said,