Semua Bab Her Graceful War Song: Bab 401 - Bab 410

One by one, the members of the royal family and their relatives who were in the capital began arriving at the palace.Harvey and Heather, along with several of the grand princesses, arrived together. The grand princesses came with their spouses and children, creating a bustling crowd that immediately filled the hall with lively chatter.Next to arrive were the two high princesses who had recently descended from their elevated positions of grand princesses, Meredith and Henrietta. Both were the king's sisters. Meredith, the elder, was born to the queen dowager and was Salvador's elder sister. Henrietta was the daughter of Josephine, and was Salvador's younger sister.Meredith was married to Levi Wright, the second son of the Oversight Department's minister, Irvin Wright. Levi was an optimistic and easy-going man, holding a nominal position in the Protocol Department. The Wright family was Natalie's maternal family, known for its scholarly traditions. However, Irvin, known for his s

Helen's words drew scornful glances from everyone present towards Heather.Heather felt a mix of grievance and shame. She looked at Carissa, hoping the latter might say something on her behalf. Yet Carissa's expression remained indifferent, her eyes betraying no emotion. Heather had no choice but to give up. However, Heather silently resented Carissa.How could she not speak up for her own aunt? How would she face Melanie in the afterlife after acting this way?Everyone continued chatting for a while before Eleanor finally returned. After the customary exchanges of greetings, everyone resumed their seats.As if the tension between them had never existed, Carissa greeted Eleanor with a respectful nod. Eleanor was even better at masking her feelings, and she gave Carissa a warm, attentive glance.Victoria inquired about Ruth, and Eleanor replied, "Mom's health has improved somewhat, but she won't be joining us for the New Year's Eve celebration tonight. With the cold weather, she

The night was filled with lively festivities that lasted until past midnight, after which everyone retired to their rooms to sleep.Ryan was exhausted beyond measure, but he held on as much as he could. At the end of the night, Travis carried him back to their room.Rafael held Carissa close in the warmth of their bed, hoping to warm not just her body but her heart as well. He expected her to say something, but she remained silent, quietly lying in his embrace with even breaths. He couldn't tell if she had fallen asleep.However, Carissa was not asleep. She couldn't sleep, and she didn't want to move or speak. Some things, she believed, had to be endured silently. She would grit her teeth through the pain. Time would eventually cover the wounds, sealing away the hurt.That was her usual way of coping.What was different now was that she had someone who truly cared for her.Rafael felt a pang of sadness in his heart, mostly from the pain he felt for her. She would smile at him whe

Mary was already quite exhausted. Upon receiving the hot drink and food at the estate, she heartily drank two large bowls of stew and even asked if she could have another bowl.Carissa placed a stack of banknotes, amounting to ten thousand silver coins, along with the stew on the table. Mary's eyes widened in shock; she looked up at Carissa, visibly trembling with awe and emotion. She had spent two days raising only seven hundred silver coins.As Mary struggled to find words in her astonishment, Helen interjected from the side, "Bring me the box for storing the banknotes. Give her twenty thousand silver coins."As Carissa's mother-in-law, it was only right to support her daughter-in-law, and to do so generously.Mary stood up in excitement, her tears nearly spilling over."Please, don't be so overwhelmed. Sit down, Madam Clayton," Carissa said, concerned that the old woman's emotional response might lead to a health issue.Mary's granddaughters-in-law couldn't help but be moved t

However, there were always a few people who criticized Carissa, claiming that as the Hell Monarch's princess consort and the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Northwatch's family, she was wealthy and could easily afford the donation of several tens of thousands of silver coins. So, how could thirty thousand silver coins be a significant amount for her?In contrast, they claimed that the Warren family was poor and that Rebecca, who had long been ill, couldn't be expected to donate money. This explanation was promptly rebutted."Do you have a misunderstanding about what constitutes being poor? When Barrett married Aurora, the dowry was reportedly between ten and twenty thousand silver coins. And what about the dowry of the Prince family's daughter? Did you not see the amount?""You say they're poor, but what spills from their fingers could feed you for a year.""Even if they're poor, not donating is one thing, but why insult the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill's family by c