Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Sitting in front of her vanity table, Sylvia suddenly recalled that the dress she had once asked her mother to order from Camila had been delivered. She had

intended to wear it at the New Year's Eve banquet.

The dress was a rich shade of sunset yellow, embroidered with delicate camellia flower blossoms. Charming and vivid, the hem of the skirt flowed in graceful waves, the brightness of its color giving it an air of both beauty and refinement.

Sylvia asked Heidi to bring the dress over and help her into it. She gazed into the mirror, entranced by her own reflection. While doing so, she noted that although she looked a little haggard, she remained as stunning as ever. Her skin was still pale and smooth, free from the slightest sign of age or fatigue.

Her slender, pale fingers traced the intricate embroidery as she murmured softly to herself, "Ms. Moore's needlework is indeed extraordinary. This dress surpasses even the finest dress I own. How truly exquisite."

Heidi knelt at her side with tears welling in her eyes. "Your Grace, I know what you intend, but you mustn't. If you do, it will be as if you're taking your own life out of guilt, leaving Prince Cecil forever accused of plotting against Prince Connor."

Sylvia smiled arrogantly, though it carried a touch of coquettishness. "Who said I intend to end my life? A concubine who takes her own life would bring disgrace to her family. I have already failed in fulfilling my duty to my parents. How could I stain their name?"

Her fingers continued to stroke the intricate embroidery, her gaze firm. "I am innocent. I will not be driven to despair, but I shall protect my children at all costs. Let them conduct their investigation. Lady Carissa is swift in her work."

Sylvia only needed to wait for the investigation's results, which would undoubtedly point towards Laurel Palace and implicate both her and Cecil.

Hearing that Sylvia didn't intend to end her own life, Heidi felt slightly relieved.

snipped off a stray thread. Afterward, she

"How are things on Lady Grace's end? I

has been terribly frightened,"

"After all, he is but a child. How could he not be terrified, seeing his brother, whom he had grown so close to, lying in a pool

regarding Grace, she never once doubted Caden. After all, the

didn't possess

drive them to commit such vicious acts. And moreover, Caden was Grace's flesh and blood. Sylvia believed that a mother would never allow her child's hands to be stained with such blood. So, if Grace had truly sought

maternal instincts to speculate, Sylvia concluded that

doubt shattered by the horror he had

-

Victoria's instructions were clear that the inquiry should begin with Jeanette's miscarriage-Carissa's first line of questioning was

horses. Still, Ryan vehemently assured that

the guards were questioned. All of them were familiar with the caltrop, confirming once

palace attendants, and nannies were questioned in turn, gathering their testimonies on the matter of Jeanette's miscarriage and Kylie's confrontation at Laurel Palace. When all the

she made a stop at

from weeping. Though she had ceased her cries demanding to see Connor, she was in a state of madness. Upon