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.

the side hall, Carissa and Rafael looked up as their daughter came bounding in. The two cats stayed perfectly still on her shoulders, not so much as

called, "Mom!", then sweetly

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

cats, who had been dozing with their eyes shut, suddenly opened them at the sound of Carissa's voice. Their amber eyes blinked, and they straightened at once. With dignified grace, they leapt

comfortable," Elise said cheerfully, linking arms with her mother and pressing her cheek fondly against her.

sat nearby. He watched his daughter's affectionate behavior with amusement, though he made an effort to keep a stern face. "Your mother's mentor has agreed to let you stay at Meadow Ridge and learn martial arts.

news. "Truly? I promise I won't mess around. I'll train hard with

had been to Meadow Ridge several times before and had once tried to stay to study martial arts. But as she had been too noisy and unruly, both Adrian and

was a smile on her face as she 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

back then, but now I'm already seven years old. How could I still not

his eyes at

If she truly did, she wouldn't have been turned

place was too quiet lately—perhaps a noisy child might do some good. Truthfully, he had always hoped to bring Elise to Meadow

who objected, for he was the one in charge of discipline and couldn't abide noisy children. Back in the day, even Carissa had been scolded often by him. But in the end, Everett

real talent for martial arts—perhaps even more than either of her parents. If she trained diligently for a few years, her skill would

the following day, Carissa took Elise to Meadow Ridge. The two white cats, of course,