Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Grace seemed momentarily taken aback, her grip tightening on the handkerchief. "What is it, Your Grace? Do not hesitate to speak plainly."

"Not long ago, the harem was abuzz with rumors. First, it was said that Lady Sylvia was responsible for Lady Jeanette's miscarriage. Then, the rumor shifted, claiming it was Queen Kylie. You've overseen the harem for so long, Lady Grace. You must have some idea of where these rumors originated and who might have spread them, yes?" Carissa asked.

Caught off guard by the question, Grace's sorrowful expression stiffened for a moment as she exchanged a furtive glance with Lyra. But she quickly masked the slip and regained her composure.

"The palace has always been rife with gossip. There is no need to dwell on such matters. Perhaps you might focus on the investigation into Prince Connor's murder, Your Grace?" she replied.

"The queen dowager has ordered me to investigate thoroughly, starting from Lady Jeanette's miscarriage. So, while the case of Prince Connor's murder must be investigated, everything else must be looked into as well.

"You and Lady Sylvia have managed the harem for quite some time and must be well aware of its affairs, Lady Grace. Rather than making a big spectacle of interrogating palace staff, I thought it would be more efficient to come to you directly for answers. That way, we can avoid sending people to the Disciplinary Tribunal. What do you think?" Carissa said.

Her gaze swept casually over Grace and Lyra before settling on the latter's hands. She smiled slightly and added, "Lyra, your fingers are quite lovely."

The maid's face turned visibly pale. She knew all too well what kind of harsh labor and punishments awaited at the Disciplinary Tribunal.

Rumors passed through many ears, but it wasn't hard to trace them back to the source. It was just a matter of whether they wanted to make a grand affair of it. Grace understood that, and so did Lyra.

ordered the rumors to be spread-first by Lyra, then through others under her command. They were loyal, but once brought before the Disciplinary Tribunal, no secret was safe. Who knew what else they might

soft sigh and said, "Since you've asked, I have nothing to hide.

her child. So, I looked into it, hoping to get justice for her. At first,

Your Grace. These are not rumors, they are facts. Perhaps you don't understand why I haven't shared my findings with

Majesty's favor. I dared not directly confront Lady Sylvia or Queen Kylie. Instead, I was

employ methods that, though underhanded, were necessary to secure justice for

insisted that she was only seeking justice for Jeanette's unborn child, with no selfish

Carissa understood

long as there was

to prove otherwise,

all, while the rumors had driven a wedge between Sylvia and

a

by death,

most. But as Caden's mother, how far could Grace really fall? Even if she was stripped of her rank,

her piece, Grace felt