Her Majestic Battle Cry

Malcolm stood frozen in place, his face burning with a sharp sting, though no slap had been delivered. It was only then that he realized his recklessness his impulsive actions had brought the matter of the students at Gracewood Women’s Academy all the way to the royal noveldrama

court.

With Salvador telling him to stay behind, he stood there, unmoving, until the court session. ended.

Left alone in the king’s private study, Malcolm was instructed to wait outside. The biting cold of the winter wind cut through him like a blade as he stood there for four full hours, not once being summoned in.

A swirl of emotions churned inside him, but the most prominent was anger. He was the king’s father–in–law. Surely, even if his actions were misguided, Salvador should not have left him to suffer in the cold.

By the end of the four hours, his body was nearly frozen, stiff from the cold. Derek, noticing his distress, brought him a small warming stove. The faint warmth provided a small relief from the icy grip of winter.

Ian quickly entered the study, and after a brief exchange with the king, returned to stand. before Malcolm.

“Lord Quinton, what are you doing here?” Ian asked, surprised.

Shivering, Malcolm forced out through clenched teeth, “Waiting to be summoned by His Majesty.”

Ian’s eyes widened. “His Majesty just ordered me to find you. He was wondering where you’d gone–he’s been waiting for you! Please go in at once. His Majesty is growing impatient.”

Malcolm barely managed a stiff nod of thanks before forcing his frozen limbs into motion and entering the study.

He greeted Salvador and took a seat like he usually did. However, he could sense the king’s anger simmering beneath the surface. The four hours of waiting had been nothing more than a quiet reprimand. However, as it was regarding something trivial like Gracewood Women’s Academy, Malcolm was upset and couldn’t accept it.

The warmth of the room slowly returned feeling to his limbs, but before he could fully. recover, Derek entered with a steaming cup of coffee and a set of investigation results.

Malcolm curiously picked up the documents. After reading them, his eyes widened in disbelief and his heart surged with fury.

Vera and Jocelyn had lied to him!

It all began with Jocelyn’s claim that Thomas had asked to marry her. She had mocked him for

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being too old and trying to prey on a younger wohan. The rumor had spread like wildfire, with the other st joining in the ridicule.

“Father, all the nobles and scholars in the capital are forming connections through marriage. Now, it seems like they’ve set their sights on General Farrell. It seemed that I was right to entrust him with so many responsibilities. After all, even you hold him in high regard,” said Salvador, his voice breaking through Malcolm’s thoughts.

His tone was calm, but there was a flicker of amusement as the king spoke.

Malcolm felt a cold sweat break out across his back, his limbs trembling as he fell to his knees.

“Your Majesty, I had no knowledge of this. I have never meddled in the marriages of the fourth branch of my family.”

Salvador chuckled softly, adding, “When it comes to marriage, it is down to the will of the parents and the matchmaker’s words. As the head of the Quinton family, how can you not be involved in the marriages of your own kin? Hasn’t this always been the case? I believe General Farrell is a fine match. If the two families can unite, it would open doors to both scholarly and military paths for the Quinton family. I would find that most pleasing.”

Malcolm’s knees trembled as he knelt. He knew better than anyone how suspicious the king could be. How had the Quinton family become so reckless without even realizing it?

For years, Malcolm had prided himself on being careful, keeping his family’s actions tightly controlled, fearful of even the smallest slip that might give his enemies a foothold.

Yet now, it was not just a simple slip–it was about making Salvador mistakenly think the Quinton family had ambitions to help Connor take the throne, along with gaining control over the civil and military officials.

To the king, it looked as though the Quinton family, in alliance with the queen, was forcing him to appoint Connor as crown prince.

At Everspring Palace, Kylie paced anxiously, her mind racing as she waited for news from her servants. Knowing Malcolm had been punished and left standing outside Salvador’s study for four hours, she had sent someone to inquire as to the cause.

At last, the young chamberlain returned, bowing low as he reported, “Your Majesty, the rumors say that Lord Quinton’s student submitted a formal complaint against the headmistress of Gracewood Women’s Academy, Lady Carissa. This displeased His Majesty.”

“Is that all?” Kylie asked, her voice tightening with disbelief.

She knew Salvador wasn’t fond of the women’s academy. But then, she remembered that he had once considered bringing Carissa into the palace, which made this turn of events a little more plausible.

Could it be that in Salvador’s eyes, the academy itself could be questioned, but not Carissa?

+25 BONUS

Chapter 118-

The young chamberlain continued, “Lord Quinton is still inside His Majesty’s study. When I left, he had not yet been dismissed, but His Majesty had someone bring him coffee.”

Kylie felt a slight relief–coffee was a sign that Salvador did not intend to punish her dad further.

Still, the academy had to be shut down. With Gracewood Women’s Academy’s recent troubles, including the expulsion of Jocelyn, it was imperative that it be shown to harbor corruption. If that were not proven, the Quinton family name would be tainted.

Her eyes narrowed coldly as a plan began to form in her mind. It was not a clever scheme, but it was a reliable and effective one that had always worked in the past.

“Lydia, come here!” Kylie called, summoning her confidante to her side.

As she whispered a few instructions in her ear, Lydia listened carefully and nodded.

“I will go at once, Your Majesty.”

“Find the people, but do not act in haste,” Kylie cautioned. “We need to wait for the perfect moment.”