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.

her son, and Sylvia had died. After all the fighting

if he became her son-the

exact revenge on Cecil. Anything beyond that, she had not yet

was Salvador's lack of heirs that had brought her to this point. Had there been any other alternative,

to console her, allowing her to cry freely. The former felt a profound regret and an overwhelming sorrow. She realized that she should never

out the murder because she and Kylie had plotted against Jeanette together, yet only she was punished. On top of that, Kylie even made a scene at Laurel

Retaliation was only a matter of

funeral, the year

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

digging left Grace on edge. It was as if a sword was hanging

head, ready to fall

true cause of Sylvia's death with her grandchildren,

a young age left them feeling

also devastated by the loss of their daughter. Violet visited them, and later told Carissa that

out a heavy sigh. Everything had happened so suddenly and without warning. It was hard not to

over in her mind.