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."

were for your

beggar on

Connor's

shouldn't lie to

my future, Aunt Carissa would surely find another way. But perhaps your mother couldn't think of any other solution at that time, and had to take a desperate

gamble indeed," Connor sneered. "Even in my dazed state, I heard the royal physician whisper

that. She wouldn't want you dead,"

"She 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. She just couldn't accept having

"That's not true. A mother would never think her child is

that stupid?" Connor muttered

great progress lately. If you were stupid, you

We learned together, and even

to yourself. Haven't you already

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

shadows in Connor's eyes lightened

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 anymore," he said, renewed