Her Graceful War Song

Sitting in front of her vanity table, Sylvia suddenly recalled that the dress she had once asked her mother to order from Camila had been delivered. She hadnoveldrama

intended to wear it at the New Year's Eve banquet.

The dress was a rich shade of sunset yellow, embroidered with delicate camellia flower blossoms. Charming and vivid, the hem of the skirt flowed in graceful waves, the brightness of its color giving it an air of both beauty and refinement.

Sylvia asked Heidi to bring the dress over and help her into it. She gazed into the mirror, entranced by her own reflection. While doing so, she noted that although she looked a little haggard, she remained as stunning as ever. Her skin was still pale and smooth, free from the slightest sign of age or fatigue.

Her slender, pale fingers traced the intricate embroidery as she murmured softly to herself, "Ms. Moore's needlework is indeed extraordinary. This dress surpasses even the finest dress I own. How truly exquisite."

Heidi knelt at her side with tears welling in her eyes. "Your Grace, I know what you intend, but you mustn't. If you do, it will be as if you're taking your own life out of guilt, leaving Prince Cecil forever accused of plotting against Prince Connor."

Sylvia smiled arrogantly, though it carried a touch of coquettishness. "Who said I intend to end my life? A concubine who takes her own life would bring disgrace to her family. I have already failed in fulfilling my duty to my parents. How could I stain their name?"

Her fingers continued to stroke the intricate embroidery, her gaze firm. "I am innocent. I will not be driven to despair, but I shall protect my children at all costs. Let them conduct their investigation. Lady Carissa is swift in her work."

Sylvia only needed to wait for the investigation's results, which would undoubtedly point towards Laurel Palace and implicate both her and Cecil.

Hearing that Sylvia didn't intend to end her own life, Heidi felt slightly relieved.

Sylvia picked up a pair of scissors and snipped off a stray thread. Afterward, she made her way to the outer hall, placing the scissors in a conspicuous spot.

She turned and asked, "How are things on Lady Grace's end? I hear a royal physician has been summoned."

"I heard that Prince Caden has been terribly frightened," came the reply.

Sylvia sighed. "After all, he is but a child. How could he not be terrified, seeing his brother, whom he had grown so close to, lying in a pool of blood on the ground?"

Though Sylvia had her suspicions regarding Grace, she never once doubted Caden. After all, the child was not capable of such cruelty.

Children didn't possess the ruthless

ambition that could drive them to commit such vicious acts. And moreover, Caden was Grace's flesh and blood. Sylvia believed that a mother would never allow her child's hands to be stained with such blood. So, if Grace had truly sought to harm Connor, she would have kept the deed hidden from Caden.

Using her maternal instincts to speculate, Sylvia concluded that Caden was truly

pitiable, his mind no doubt shattered by the horror he had witnessed.

-

Carissa had taken up the investigation. Though Victoria's instructions were clear that the inquiry should begin with Jeanette's miscarriage-Carissa's first line of questioning was directed at Ryan.

He confirmed that the caltrop was indeed Cecil's and verified that the boy had ridden their horses. Still, Ryan vehemently assured that Cecil's nature was innocent. Though lively and full of mischief, the young prince had no intention to harm.

After Ryan, the guards were questioned. All of them were familiar with the caltrop, confirming once more that it belonged to Cecil.

The guards, palace attendants, and nannies were questioned in turn, gathering their testimonies on the matter of Jeanette's miscarriage and Kylie's confrontation at Laurel Palace. When all the scattered testimonies were pieced together, everything pointed directly to Sylvia.

Before Carissa visited Laurel Palace, she made a stop at Everspring Palace.

Kylie lay in her bed, utterly exhausted from weeping. Though she had ceased her cries demanding to see Connor, she was in a state of madness. Upon seeing Carissa, the queen scrambled from her bed and, with all her strength, struck her across the face.

"Is this how you conduct your investigations? Is this how you deceive the king? You enjoy the

authority of a female official, butnet

have you done your actual job properly? If you had examined each horse thoroughly, this would not have happened. If we're to assign

blame, then you are the first to answer for it! You are the murderer!" Kylie shouted, pointing furiously.

Carissa could have avoided the slap, but the image of Connor struggling to swallow medicine flashed in her mind as the queen swung her hand. Her heart tightened and a wave of sorrow welled up in her chest, so much so that she endured the blow.

She said nothing in response to Kylie's accusations. Before arriving, she had expected the queen to ask if Connor had left any final words, for Carissa had been the one holding him at the time.

But Kylie didn't ask, so Carissa turned to Lydia and instructed her to go outside for questioning.

Kylie refused vehemently, her voice laced with fury as she said, "If there is anything to be asked, it shall be asked in front of me! If you intend to shield Lady Sylvia, I will not forgive you."

The queen had already made up her mind that Sylvia was responsible-not only because of the caltrop and the longstanding animosities between them, but also because Kylie couldn't fathom the only other alternative suspect, Grace, having the courage to carry out such an act.