Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Caden's eyes were wide with terror and his expression was one of sheer horror, as though he had been suddenly awakened from a nightmare.

Gasping for air, he clutched his ears and shouted desperately, "No! Mom, I don't want this! I don't want my brother to die! I don't want it..."

Grace collapsed to the ground. From the moment Salvador had taken out the caltrop, it was as if all her strength had been drained from her body, leaving her crumpled on the floor.

However, Salvador paid her no mind. His gaze remained fixed on Caden, the coldness in his eyes unyielding.

"It is too late. Your elder brother is dead. You killed him," said the king.

Caden whirled around, his head slamming into Grace's abdomen. A shrill, anguished cry escaped his lips as he shouted, "You lied to me! You said he wouldn't die! You said that he would only be crippled! You lied to me! You lied to me! I killed my brother-"

The force of the impact left Grace breathless, her insides twisting painfully as if they might shift from their place. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she lurched forward, trying to silence her son's outcries by covering his mouth.

But Caden, in his madness, seemed unrestrained. Still screaming, he leaped to his feet and hurled himself against the wall. He collided with the stone wall, his forehead splitting open with the force.

After quickly restraining the boy, Derek swiftly knocked him unconscious, then called for someone to take him away to bandage his wound.

As the door slammed shut, Derek positioned himself silently by Salvador's side. Meanwhile, Grace and Lyra remained kneeling on the floor.

back straight as realization sank in-she had lost. There was no turning back now. She had failed to secure what she so desperately desired. And with that failure, she knew that nothing could save

he drove his foot into her stomach, roaring, "Vile woman! How cruel

her body crashing to the floor. Pain radiated through her, yet she managed to cradle

womb? In every way, he surpassed Prince Connor. Why should Prince Connor be

flick of his hand, he signaled Derek to set down

in the royal chapel, naming my heir. Read it,"

the parchment and

with shock. Her

was Caden's name on the

can't be..." She drew in a shaky breath, her disbelief growing. Then, a shrill scream tore from her throat as she shook

clutched the edict to her chest, inching backward. This was the edict she had dreamed of, the one she had schemed for so long to secure. Everything she had done was for this-for her son's name to be written on it. But now, as she held it, a chilling

pity. Prince

the king signaled for servants to bring forth a brazier. Before Grace's horrified eyes,

senses, throwing herself toward the fire, her hands frantically trying to snatch at the

.n

cannot be undone! It was my fault. I pushed him to do it, he didn't want