Her Graceful War Song

Salvador didn't grant Grace a swift death.

Instead, he commanded that her legs be shattered-one brutal strike at a time. Flesh split, blood pooled, and gleaming white bone pierced through torn skin.

The pain was so unbearable that Grace lost consciousness multiple times. After hours of torment, she was unceremoniously cast aside, her broken form left to suffer in the Cold Palace.

Salvador personally led Caden to the Cold Palace, his expression as cold as the wind that swept through its desolate halls.

The king pointed at Grace, who lay curled on the ground and howling in pain, then said to Caden, "Your elder brother suffered far worse when he fell from his horse. His pain was unbearable. He died from it-slowly, and with no reprieve."

Caden had long since been reduced to tears, his face streaked with grief and regret. As his legs gave out beneath him, he collapsed onto the cold stone floor, hands clamped over his ears as if that might drown out his mother's screams.

Salvador then ordered that Lyra be brought in. She was to remain at Grace's side, to ensure that the concubine did not die too swiftly. If she did, Lyra would meet a similar fate.

Though Lyra had once been complicit in Grace's schemes, even she had never witnessed such brutality. The only occasion that came close to this violence was the time Connor had fallen from his horse.

Back then, the sight of the injured prince had stirred a sense of satisfaction in her. Now, all that remained was the sharp sting of pain, as the reality of their ruthlessness sank in.

At Everspring Palace, Kylie was struck dumb with disbelief.

It was Grace-of all people, Grace!

She could scarcely comprehend what was unfolding before her when Carissa and Derek arrived. They had brought Caden, who was now so deeply affected by his guilt that he appeared half-mad, lost in a stupor.

Upon seeing him, Kylie's eyes flashed with hatred. "It was you! You wicked wretch, you murdered my son!"

Her words were a venomous hiss, as she raised her hand and slapped Caden hard across the face. He didn't react, simply standing motionless as though he were no more than a lifeless puppet. His face betrayed no emotion.noveldrama

Kylie was intent on delivering another blow, but Carissa stopped her.

"Get out of my way! I shall see him dead myself!" the queen screamed, her face contorted with fury, as if she sought to pour all her rage onto Carissa and Caden.

Derek raised his hand in a quiet gesture. "Your Majesty, His Majesty grieves for your loss. In his benevolence, he has sent Prince Caden to be raised under your care."

Kylie's eyes widened in disbelief, her finger trembling as she pointed at Derek. "His Majesty would have me care for the murderer of my child? I would sooner see him dead than take him in!"

Derek's gaze remained impassive. "Didn't you once declare that you would take Prince Cecil into your care, despite believing Lady Sylvia had murdered Prince Connor? Why is Prince Caden any different? Perhaps you despise him because his mind is broken?"

"That's not the same!" Kylie hissed, her fury flaring.

Carissa couldn't help but feel a sense of bitter amusement twist within her.

Of course, it wasn't the same.

Caden was no longer a contender for the throne, while Cecil still had a chance. Caden had no family backing or influence to wield, but Cecil had the Lloyd family's help.

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Derek's voice was polite, but laced with unmistakable sarcasm as he said, "His Majesty has made it quite clear. In your eyes, the murder of a son matters little. For the sake of the crown prince title, you'd surety embrace even a slayer who wiped out your entire family."

Kylie's expression faltered, as if struck by an invisible blow.

She seemed stunned by the accusation, her voice trembling as she asked, "is that truly how His Majesty sees me? Does he believe I am soutterly driven by ambition? Lady Sylvia's death proved her innocence. I wanted to raise Cecil

because I knew she wasn't the

murderer. But now, Lady Grace has confessed-"

Perhaps even the queen recognized that her explanation sounded hollow. Her lips parted as she sought another line of reasoning but quickly abandoned it, shifting to a more pointed question.

"Am I to understand that my actions, driven by fleeting passion, have been so thoroughly misinterpreted? Does His Majesty hold no regard for the bond we share as husband and wife?"

Derek's reply was unwavering and measured: "This is not a matter we can answer on behalf of His Majesty. But if you wish, I shall relay your question to him."

Carissa had not spoken a word throughout the exchange. Her duty was merely to escort Caden here and to take him away again.

For now, the boy sat dull-eyed, lost in his shattered mind. But there were times when his madness would seize him, lashing out at those around him, or worse, turning that violence upon himself.

It was clear to all that Salvador could never leave Caden in Everspring Palace under Kylie's care. His presence here was a mere torment, a way to unsettle her.

Caden's future had already been decided. Salvador had arranged for him to spend the remainder of his days in a monastery, where he would seek redemption through prayer and penance.

That very evening, Salvador himself arrived at Everspring Palace. As he entered, the heavy doors were shut behind him, cutting off the chill winds that howled outside.

Without a doubt, Kylie knew that the king harbored no remaining tenderness for her. Thus, she sought to use their shared grief to elicit sympathy.

Her voice trembling with sorrow, she

said, "I never imagined Lady Grace could possess such treacherous ambition. Poor Connor... how wretchedly he died, how unjustly. Since his passing, he has visited me

in dreams. His spirit is restless, and

he's unable to find peace."

Salvador interrupted her sharply, retorting, "Connor couldn't have visited you in

dreams, for he is not dead."