Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Salvador announced his decision before asking Rafael about the investigation.

The king knew the colt wouldn't go wild for no reason. He had asked about the horses before-some had a bit of a temper, but the children had already tamed them.

Rafael didn't hide anything and handed over the caltrop. "Someone placed this under the saddle. When the saddle was empty, the thorn caused only a mild discomfort to the horse. But once Prince Connor got on, the sharp spikes stabbed into the horse's flesh, causing it to go berserk from the pain."

Salvador's gaze grew cold as he looked at Carissa. "Did no one inspect the saddles beforehand?"

Carissa hurriedly responded, "Your Majesty, we checked thoroughly. The horses were under constant guard, and aside from the three princes and Ryan, no one was allowed near them. They led their own horses; no one else handled them during the journey."

Victoria's expression was equally grim. "I gave strict orders to the guards. The horses, the three princes, and Ryan should never leave their sight. Unless one of my own trusted servants has betrayed me, no one should have been able to approach those horses."

"But this caltrop was placed under the saddle," Salvador said, his voice growing fierce with anger. "Who would want to harm Connor? This caltrop doesn't appear to be something that could have been made by just anyone. Whose work is this?"

Rafael hesitated, then knelt and apologized. "It was a device I brought for lessons with the children. When the guards found out that Prince Cecil had taken one to play with, they informed me. I ordered him to return it, but he claimed it was lost."

"Sylvia?" Salvador suggested, his mind immediately going to her.

innocent. He could never have been behind such

in the past, and she harbors ambitions for Cecil to be the heir. It makes sense-revenge, and perhaps even

between Kylie and Sylvia. The motivations of revenge and ambition were plausible, and the plan seemed to have unfolded smoothly. But had Sylvia, in her scheming, truly not considered the inevitable discovery of the caltrop under the

have overlooked such an obvious flaw? How would she cover

come at the price of her own life, and possibly Cecil's as well. Perhaps there had been no ambition for the throne at

Sylvia truly be

must investigate further.

Your Majesty,"

were red, tears threatening to spill. "I have failed

you did all you could," Salvador replied, his voice heavy with sorrow. "It is I who

to Carissa. "See to it!

will investigate, Your

next three days, I will stay herez with Connor. The arrangements for the funeral will

throat tight as he struggled to

to say, "You and Derek will prepare the coffin. If Connor survives these three days, place his garments and crown in the coffin. But if

in his throat, two tears falling in