Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Let me tell you about the day the Saunders family crossed a line even I, Violet Spencer, couldn't ignore.

It was beyond outrageous!

The Saunders family held nothing more than a minor earl's title, yet Maya dared act so arrogantly! In all my years alive, I had encountered plenty of ill-mannered women, but never had I encountered one among the powerful and influential.

When I heard that they had dragged Courtney out and slapped her, calling her shameless for having feelings for a young man, I wanted to storm into Averton Estate, break down their door, and give them a taste of their own medicine.

Cari was angry too, but she reminded me that we couldn't just go rushing in without thinking. The most important thing was to check on Courtney and Viola- who knew if they might do something rash?

I had to admit, Cari had been in court long enough to know how to handle these things. She could stay calm when it mattered most.

I rushed straight to the Prince family's residence. As I feared, I found that

Courtney had slit her wrist. And when I heard Viola had sent away all her maids, I knew it was only going to get worse.

Sure enough, Viola was determined to hang herself up like winter provisions. I lost my temper and slapped her right across the face.

I've had a good temper these past few years, but seeing her like that, I couldn't hold back. All those years spent at the workshop and she never learned a thing. Not how to be strong, nor how to stand up for herself.

stormed over to

was taken aback to see Cari there, accompanied by some soldiers

official, Cari wasn't supposed to be here. We had agreed I would be the one to storm in and deliver payback. Yet there she was, clad

armored soldiers restrained a prisoner. I took a closer look-wasn't that Merrick's brother

seemed to have come out, including the servants, and of course, Maya herself. It was clear something big had happened, though I

to figure out what was going on. Cari hadn't warned me she would be here, and now I was caught in a bit of a mess-fuming

family was bowing and scraping, begging Cari for mercy.

with a wealthy merchant's concubine, and they had been caught in the act. Gabriel thought his noble Status gave him the

Guard were patrolling nearby and "happened" to come across the scene. They reported it to Cari, who

vel

for abusing his power, kidnapping the concubine, and assaulting the merchant's servants. If those charges were proven, Gabriebwould never be able to

least as long as

then that she gave me a look. We had known each other for so long that there was no need for words. I understood

through the tension, "Oh, quite

it? Perfect timing. I've come to

me for the first time, their eyes shifting toward me

followed by bewilderment. What