Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

While Kylie was still fervently attempting to bring Cecil to Everspring Palace, Carissa arrived.

"I have long been waiting for you to ask me whether Prince Connor said anything before he passed, Your Majesty. Yet, you never did," she said, looking at the queen.

Kylie sharply turned her head toward her, her expression filled with resistance. "There is no need to speak of it. He would have blamed me, for he was always angry with me."

"On the contrary, he said that he loved you very much," Carissa replied.

A bitter smile curled on Kylie's lips. She clearly didn't believe Carissa's words. "He is gone. Why would you make up such things to make me sad?" she said.

Carissa looked at the clear finger marks on Kylie's face and her swollen, red eyes. The pain of losing her son should have been a wound to the soul itself, yet here she was, scheming to bring Cecil to her side.

Was it for revenge? Or was she trying to secure leverage, pushing Cecil to become the crown prince and crushing Grace's hopes once and for all?

"I am but the messenger. Whether you believe it or not, that is for you to decide," Carissa said.

After offering a shallow bow, she took her leave.

Once Carissa departed, Kylie pressed her hands to her face and collapsed into uncontrollable sobs.

actions were. How could she not? But she had lost her son, and Sylvia had died. After

her son-the queen's son-he

plenty of lawful ways to exact revenge on Cecil. Anything beyond that, she had not yet

heirs that had brought her to this point. Had there been any other alternative, she would never have entertained the idea of adopting

felt a profound regret and an overwhelming sorrow. She realized that she should never have listened to the queen

only she was

never endure such humiliation. Retaliation was only a matter of

funeral, the year

continued without pause, though Carissa had refrained from directly questioning Grace. Instead, she carefully sifted

left Grace on edge. It was

to

shared the true cause of Sylvia's death with her grandchildren,

at such a young age left them feeling like their whole

and later told Carissa that Gladys

Everything had happened so suddenly and

and over in her mind. If