Semua Bab Her Graceful War Song: Bab 1221 - Bab 1230

Upon hearing these words, Victoria raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I recall before you married the king, you were renowned throughout the capital for your scholarly accomplishments. You've read so many books, yet now you claim that women shouldn't study? You were just praising the benefits of learning, and yet here you are, contradicting yourself. Are you unaware of this?"Kylie was taken aback. "I… I didn't mean it in that way. It is not that women should not study. Indeed, it is a good thing for ladies of noble families to broaden their knowledge for their refinement. After all, they are guided by family rules and propriety. Education just adds to their virtues."Victoria's smile remained, but her voice turned pointed. "I've noticed that you often speak of propriety and rules. Do you truly enjoy being bound by such things?"Kylie was momentarily stunned. "Mother, surely, this is the foundation upon which women are meant to stand. How could one spe

Salvador leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp with barely contained anger. "Did I ever tell you that I wanted to shut down Gracewood Women's Academy? The academy was Mom's idea—it was meant to unite the noble families' women and be beneficial to me! Why would I want to shut it down?"Kylie looked at him, bewildered. "But haven't you always been displeased with Carissa's growing closeness to the noble families?"Salvador's eyes narrowed as he stared at her, his words cutting and deliberate. "Are you saying you have no ability to replace Carissa?"Kylie froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Your Majesty, are you suggesting that I lower myself to attend the academy? Or that I should curry favor with those noblewomen?"She was the queen of Starhaven. How could she possibly step into such a role? And those noblewomen—why should she, as the queen, have to win them over? Shouldn't they be the ones trying to win her favor?Wasn't this a complete reversal of proper order?Salvador'

"Kylie wasn't always this foolish," Victoria remarked as she rose from the dining table, moving to the carved cherrywood armchair. She was pleasantly full, and the chair's firm support felt just right. "She used to be quite clever. When a clever person suddenly becomes foolish, it's often because they're too entangled in their own schemes. They can't see past their own interests. And for those interests, they think any sacrifice is justified, no matter who pays the price.""Mom, your words are absolutely correct," Salvador agreed, nodding.Victoria gestured for him to sit and then asked, "What are your thoughts on the current admissions policy for the women's academy?"Salvador replied thoughtfully, "I think it's a good idea. It gives the common folk the impression that they aren't so far removed from the nobility. It might even ease some of the discontent among them."He naturally spoke with the broader picture in mind. As for whether it offered women a chance to broaden their h

The Capital Guard headquarters' prison was as sparse as they came, and they didn't usually imprison people there. It wasn't that they didn't arrest anyone. Minor offenders were usually fined or given a few lashes, while those committing serious crimes were sent to the authorities to face proper sentencing."Your Majesty, if there are court officials present, should they also be detained?" Carissa asked.Salvador's expression darkened. "Naturally, they are to be detained as well."Carissa understood that Salvador intended to teach these officials a lesson, though not publicly—he didn't want word of their indiscretions spreading to the authorities. Locking them up in the Capital Guard headquarter's prison was meant to serve as a discreet warning while protecting their reputations.More importantly, the raid's true objective was to capture the Sandorian spies and subject them to a rigorous interrogation."And make sure no one warns them in advance," Salvador added. It was time to d

The news of the gentlemen's retreats' raid spread like wildfire through the entire capital.Fabian was struck dumb with shock. He had been feeling unwell that evening and hadn't gone to any of the retreats, never imagining it would be seized.The gentlemen's retreats had been in business for years, hosting many of the capital's elite. If Salvador had intended to shut it down, surely someone would have tipped him off. But there had been no warning—it had simply been raided out of the blue!When Fabian finally returned to his senses, he immediately called for one of his most trusted servants. He needed to know who had carried out the raid—and, more urgently, whether Gerald had been there tonight. He was well aware that Gerald frequented the retreat, and he had always kept that knowledge a secret. Even the rest of the Quinton family was unaware, except for Gerald's trusted servant, Cody. To Gerald, the only person in the gentlemen's retreat who knew his identity was the steward.T