Lahat ng Kabanata ng Her Graceful War Song: Kabanata 1151 - Kabanata 1160

However, the report from Silverstone Estate's steward Bernard struck Zoey as strange.The properties she had sold had quickly been taken over by someone, and the price they paid was quite high—higher than the market rate by a good 20 percent.Zoey had managed the household for many years, overseeing property transactions several times. Typically, deals followed market trends, with a property or two occasionally sold for a bit more. But recently, every property she had sold had been at prices well above what was normal. It left her feeling uneasy.She even wondered if Carissa had found out she was selling her property and thought she was desperate for money, and so offered a high price.Zoey asked the steward for the sale agreements. When she saw the buyer's name—Yves Gardner—she didn't recognize it."Does Hell Monarch Estate have a steward with that name?" Zoey asked Bernard."I've never heard of the name," Bernard replied."Then what's the deal with this buyer?" Zoey asked, a

Kyle chased after Isaac, calling out as he caught up. Isaac waved him off, continuing to walk ahead. "Don't say anything. It's not worth mentioning.""Isaac, this is just our guess. It might not be true," Kyle said, knowing his younger guild member well. Isaac never spoke of his discomfort but would always seek solitude when troubled."It's fine, really. I'll just go have a drink," Isaac replied with a grin. "It's rare that the autumn wind is blowing, and the weather's perfect. A drink is what's needed—preferably with some beautiful company."Violet stepped forward and grabbed his wrist. "Come on, let's go drink then."It was only now that Violet realized Isaac wasn't the child of a concubine. Evelyn was his mom, and he had the same parents as Oliver and Viola."The place I'm going isn't appropriate for you," Isaac said, not wanting Violet to follow.Violet ignored him and kept a tight grip on his arm. "I'll settle the bill for you.""I have money. You don't need to follow me,

Caspian pointed an accusing finger at Isaac and shouted angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting? When has my mom ever abandoned her son? My brother and I are both fine!""You all are fine, but what about me?!" Isaac yelled, his voice cracking with fury. He had put too much force behind the shout, and his stomach and throat reacted painfully. Clutching his stomach, he crouched down, using all his strength to hold back the swirling alcohol in his gut.Caspian stood there, stunned for a moment, as if the words hadn't fully registered. Then, as though something had clicked into place, his eyes widened in disbelief. He stared at Isaac, his face pale with shock.Zoey suddenly recalled something from the past. It was something she had learned when she first entered the family—Evelyn had borne three sons.The youngest had fallen ill, and no matter how hard they tried, the child didn't recover. He was sent to a temple to be cared for, but a fire broke out and the boy perished in the flam

Zoey helped Evelyn drink the herbal soup, then sat down with Isaac to listen to what she had to say."Back then, I was deceived," Evelyn began. "I thought the priest, Reverend Lazarus, told David that Seraphina would bring him good luck. At the time, David seemed to care for Seraphina deeply. When Seraphina fell ill, that man was more anxious than anyone and ran around looking for physicians and treatments. But Seraphina's condition only got worse. By the time he turned five, he could barely get out of bed."Evelyn's voice faltered, the pain of those memories still raw in her chest."Reverend Lazarus said that if we didn't do something, Seraphina wouldn't last a month. He advised sending him to the temple at Gravelstone Peak and praying for the gods' blessing, giving him a chance to live past 18. Once Seraphina made it past that age, his life would be smooth sailing from then on.""Your grandfather disagreed. He thought it was all nonsense. But then David brought Reverend Lazarus t

Isaac and Violet walked side by side along the wide street, leading their horses. The night breeze was gentle, clearing away the last remnants of the alcohol from the evening."I was impulsive tonight," Violet admitted with a hint of regret. "I shouldn't have dragged you there.""It's fine," Isaac replied."What's going through your mind? Are you planning to acknowledge them?""No." Isaac smiled, his expression becoming noticeably more relaxed. "She invited me and Madam Zoey inside, and talked for a long time. But not once did she ask me how I've been these years. Not once did she ask how I was after being taken away. She was just explaining and trying to clear her name.""Is that so?"Isaac ran a hand through his slightly disheveled hair, his carefree demeanor returning. "I remember my first time leaving the mountain. I was away for a month, and when I came back, Sage Adrian and Sage Everett surrounded me. They asked me a lot of stuff—what I ate, who I met, what inns I stayed