Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1629

My parents, Harvey and Heather, had truly fallen. Not even in my wildest dreams had I imagined that my timid and cautious father would one day take part in treason.

My father and elder brother were executed, while my mother was imprisoned. I wasn't implicated in the scandal, as the whole capital knew they had long since severed ties with me.

I used to swear that if they ever came to ruin, I wouldn't lift a finger to help them. But blood ties weren't so easily broken. Even if I couldn't forgive them in my heart, the pain was still there. I couldn't eat or sleep in peace.

I went to Cari and pleaded to be allowed to send in some food and clothing at the right time. When my mother saw me, she wept bitterly and begged me to help her escape. I still couldn't break the habit of crying too easily, but my heart had hardened.

"When I was miserably trapped in the Langley family's mess, I begged you for help. You told me even a muddy pit has air to breathe, and that I ought to stay where I was. Now, I return your words to you-so long as you can breathe and live, it is enough."

Having said that, I turned and walked away. My mother cried after me, shouting her apologies, but I didn't look back.

When the new king took the throne, a general amnesty was issued. Samuel, who had been sentenced to exile for ten years, was allowed to return to the capital six months early.

Even though I was a divorced woman, I was still the Duchess of Everpeace, so many came to propose marriage. But I no longer had any thoughts of marrying again. As I spent my days moving between Skye Embroidery and Gracewood Women's Academy, my life was full and free.

Though I turned down all the suitors, there were always people worrying over my marriage-none more enthusiastic than Mrs. Murray, the prime minister's wife.

Claude, aged thirty-two. As an only child who had lost both parents, he had delayed both marriage and taking the national examination out of mourning. He held a post at the Academy of

behalf. I lost count of how many times I refused, but she

like me? Besides, even if you mean well by matchmaking, perhaps Mr. Claude doesn't truly

hard to ignore. Regardless, what said was the truth. I had seen Mr. Claude

in high regard by the king himself. With such status, he could marry any noble

quickly assured me, "Your Grace, ever since he met you, he has been quite taken and hasn't thought of anyone else.

agree and quickly found an excuse to see

would be the end of it-until

waiting near

I didn't recognize

thin and tan, wearing fine clothes that sat awkwardly on him like a scrawny monkey dressed silks. The sight was almost laughable. Then, he called

It was Samuel.

send him away,

and grabbed my hand.

waiting for me. Everything that happened before was all my fault. I've thought about it over the years. From

swear I won't