Her Graceful War Song

That night, the Hell Monarch Estate was brightly lit.

Jacob personally recorded Salvador's gifts, carefully cataloging and setting them aside. When Ryan returned to Northwatch Estate to inherit his title, Jacob would send the items there.

happened.

Carissa held Ryan's hand as they strolled through the garden. After today's events, she feared they might have left a lasting impact on Ryan's spirit. She decided to take him out for a walk, hoping to ease his mind and inquire about his feelings and thoughts on what had

To her surprise, her worries were unnecessary. Ryan was calm as he looked up at her.

"What's the big deal? It was just one comment. There's no reason to be upset over it. The queen dowager and the king have been kind to me. They've given me so many gifts-shouldn't that outweigh a single remark? Besides, Prince Connor is still young. Once he grows up, he'll learn to respect others."

Carissa playfully tapped his nose. "You clever thing! Saying Prince Connor is still young-how old are you, then?"

"Well, I'm at least a bit older than Connor," he quickly reassured her.

Ryan was sensitive enough to notice that his aunt was worried about him. Even his uncle didn't feel completely at ease-after all, Rafael was sneakily following right behind them.

In a relaxed tone, Ryan continued, "This is nothing. After you both left, the queen dowager told me that from now on, I must live each day happily and joyfully. Our ancestors and parents have borne all the burdens and misfortunes of the Sinclair family so that we can enjoy happiness. If we are happy, it is their happiness too."

Carissa's heart tightened as if something had pricked at it.

Though these words were meant to comfort, she and Ryan knew there was little they could do for their family members who were gone. The best way to honor them was to live joyfully and happily-that was what their family wanted to see from them.

The aunt and nephew walked hand in hand for a while.

Then, Ryan said, "I need to see Lady Helen today. I didn't spend enough time with her at the palace, and I'll be returning to the academy early tomorrow. I can't neglect her. I want to spend more time with her."

Carissa chuckled at his serious tone, as though he were already a little adult. "Alright, I'll take you to her."

Helen had been sulking since her return that day. Gillian had tried several times to comfort her but had failed. When Helen saw Ryan eagerly running toward her, something inside her softened. Her nose tingled, and she nearly shed a tear. She quickly reached out to embrace him. "Good boy, you've had it rough."

Ryan nestled in Helen's arms, waving behind him to signal Carissa to leave. Then, he began to comfort Helen.

"Don't worry, Your Grace. I'm not upset at all. The king gave me so many gifts! I'll have Mr. York send them here for you. You can pick out whatever you like, or take it all if you want."

Helen's heart, already tender and

soft, ached at his words. Tears welled up in her eyes, falling in steady streams. "We'll go pick them ourselves. When you come back from the academy, we'll go o together."

Carissa quietly stepped out. She didn't realize that Ryan was so good at comforting others now.

Rafael had been following them at a distance. When he saw Carissa emerge, he approached her and softly asked, "Is he alright?"

Carissa looked at his worried expression. Without thinking, she slipped her arm through his. "He seems fine. Let's go, we'll leave him to spend time with Mother."

She gently looped her arm through his, the movement natural. To Rafael, this felt different from holding hands-it was a sign of trust, an unspoken connection that drew her closer to him. Holding hands, after all, still left a certain distance between them.

"Prince Connor's temperament..." Carissa began slowly, carefully choosing her words. "I didn't know he was...so spoiled."

Rafael hummed; he didn't seem eager to discuss this, but since Ryan had indeed been wronged today, he offered an explanation.

"The queen favors him greatly. She's

certain his position as the crown prince is secure, so she dotes on him even more. As a mother,

sometimes it's hard to see your net

child's faults. Even when she does, she feels it's not such a big deal."

Carissa had never been a mother and couldn't fully empathize, so she analyzed it rationally. "The king must know about this, right?"

"I'm not so sure. Even if he does, Inovelbin

doubt it's much. How often does the king see him? His Majesty is busy with state affairs and hardly visits the palace. Even when he calls for Connor, it's only for a few words or to share a meal. In front of the king, Connor would never act out."

Carissa hummed thoughtfully, her brows furrowing. A seven-year-old could be playful and mischievous, but how could he harbor such malice toward others? And he was to be the future crown prince, too!