Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1611

Chapter 1611

The sunlight filtered gently through the branches, and beneath the thick leaves, a pair of small legs swung back and forth in the air. The peaceful sight was enough to make anyone smile.

The girl's given name, the one recorded in the family registry, was Elizabeth Sanford. But later, she was given the nickname Elise. It was said that her mother thought she talked too much and chose the nickname to quiet her down.

However, Elise thought the nickname quite useless and not very pretty. The meaning of "Elise" was to be silent, but if one had a mouth and never used it except to eat, what then? Wouldn't she grow into a great fat pig if eating was the only thing she did?

"My dear lady, there you are! You had me searching high and low." Lulu stood beneath the tree, looking up with both fondness and exasperation. "Come down now. His Highness and Her Grace are asking for you."

"Aunt Lulu, what do they want with me?" came a bright, lazy voice from above, as content as a cat in the sun.

"Her Grace is going to Meadow Ridge and says she'd like to bring you along. Do you wish to go?"

At that, Elise's face lit up. "Truly? Then, let's go at once!"

She slid down the tree trunk without delay. Perched on either shoulder were two white cats named Blackbird and Whitefang, though neither name quite suited their soft white coats. They had come to her the year before, and Elise treasured them dearly. She had also trained them to be perfectly well-behaved.

bounding in. The two cats stayed perfectly still on her shoulders, not so

called, "Mom!",

out her handkerchief to dab at Elise's damp brow and pluck a few

voice. Their amber eyes blinked, and they straightened at once. With dignified grace, they leapt down from Elise's

with her mother and pressing her cheek fondly against her. "Aunt Lulu said you're going to Meadow

a stern face. "Your mother's mentor

lit up with excitement at the news. "Truly? I promise I won't mess around. I'll train

Meadow Ridge several times before and had once tried to stay to study martial arts. But as she had been

gently tapped her daughter's small nose. "If you make Sage Adrian unhappy, or if Sage Everett or your seniors comptain, I'll come drag you home myself and give you a

back then, but now I'm already seven years old. How could I still

his eyes

she wouldn't have been turned away from Meadow Ridge more

lately—perhaps a noisy child might do some good. Truthfully, he

children. Back in the day, even Carissa had been scolded often by him. But in the

parents. If she trained diligently for a few years, her skill

day, Carissa took Elise to Meadow Ridge. The two white cats,