Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Keith sighed. "Lady Sylvia, surely Prince Cecil must be allowed to speak for himself. Even if he is innocent, it should be him who says so."

"There's no need for him to speak. What I say is the truth," Sylvia declared firmly.

Her gaze shifted to Carissa, her eyes glinting with an icy, cutting hostility. "I know what you seek, Lady Carissa. You wish to satisfy your duty and claim merits. And since I have never treated you kindly, you will believe that Cecil and I are guilty, even when the evidence is not so clear. But I won't allow you to succeed. I won't allow you to harm my son. I will make my stand with my own life, if necessary."

As soon as Sylvia finished speaking, she reached for the scissors on the table. With a swift, deliberate motion, she plunged it into her own throat.

Carissa had already been on alert, but she didn't expect the concubine's actions to be so immediate and without any hesitation. By the time she reached Sylvia, the woman had already removed the scissors, and blood was pouring from the wound.

"Your Grace!" Heidi cried, rushing to Sylvia's side.

Given Laurel Palace's isolated location, even Carissa's swift run to fetch a physician seemed too slow. By the time she returned with medical help, Sylvia was already gone. However, her eyes remained wide open, as if still burning with fury. The blood from the wound had soaked the fine fabric of her dress, creating a dark, spreading stain of crimson.

Carissa struggled to accept the reality of what had just occurred. She barely registered Keith's calm voice cutting through the stillness as he turned to Heidi, whose sobs filled the room.

Prince Cecil and

Sylvia locked them away. She wouldn't let them leave their

her resolve through her death, so she had locked up

of quiet authority. She realized belatedly that Victoria and Keith had known Sylvia would act in

show her resolve made it very different from just harming herself. Her death was actually a calculated move born of

would bring two

world would always whisper that she and Cecil were

ever dare to

of some lingering affection, Salvador might allow Carissa to investigate fully. With that opportunity, perhaps the true culprit might be found, thereby securing Cecil

of Sylvia's intentions. She couldn't help but feel a profound sorrow for the woman who had been willing to sacrifice her life

of Sylvia's blood,

willing to protect him

the one who loved her child the most fiercely. Yet, the queen's love had always been one that demanded

Sylvia's, now seemed small and tainted