Her Graceful War Song

This year's New Year's Eve banquet was quieter than usual.

Although Kylie was allowed to be out of confinement for the day, she hardly spoke a word, her face marked by a heavy sense of worry. Even when the princes and princesses came to greet her, she responded only with a faint, distant smile.

Salvador's health wasn't good, and he had to get up early to conduct the New Year rituals at Skyward Sanctum. With all the busy work inside and out, it was exhausting for him.

Having caught a chill, Victoria had left early, with Helen accompanying her as she departed.

As Victoria was leaving, Kylie quickly gave orders. "Take Connor back to Serenity Palace to stay with Mother."

Salvador furrowed his brow. "Why should he go? Mom is ill, and you want him to stay with her?"

With a solemn expression, Kylie replied, "Mother has always treated him with great affection. Now that she is sick, how could he not be by her side to tend to her illness?"

She sighed softly, her tone tinged with melancholy. "It should be me caring for her, but I've failed in that regard. Let him take my place and show his devotion to her."

Salvador cast a cold glance at her, recognizing her maneuver to have her confinement lifted. He decided to go along with it.

"What you say makes sense. Go, take Connor to Serenity Palace. Have him stay by Mom's side day and night until her health is restored."

Kylie stiffened slightly but said nothing. She could only watch as Derek led a reluctant Connor away. She cast a resentful glance at Salvador, tears welling up in her eyes. However, she fought them back with all her might.

Carissa pretended not to see or hear anything, focusing instead on eating her now-cold meal.

Salvador had not taken action against Kylie for what had happened to Janelle. Derek had mentioned that Salvador was furious, but because of his plans to possibly name Connor the Crown Prince, it would have been difficult to punish Kylie at this time. Doing so would only make it harder for Connor to stand on his

own.

Still, the tension between the king and queen was clear for all to see. However, no one dared to openly express their thoughts. Everyone did their best to keep their feelings hidden.

Tonight, the other concubines in the palace were unusually quiet. The atmosphere in the harem was heavy, as if everyone was silently speculating about Salvador's mysterious illness.

Though the hall was full of people, Carissa felt unusually alone without Rafael by her side. This year's celebration seemed oddly empty.

The women all left first. After Kylie and the other concubines had excused themselves, Carissa got up as well. She intended to go to Serenity Palace to keep Victoria company.

But before she could take a step, Lydia approached her with a respectful nod.

"Her Majesty has requested your presence, Your Grace," Lydia said politely.noveldrama

Carissa instinctively prepared to refuse, but Salvador spoke up before she could. "Since the queen has requested it, you should go, Lady Carissa."

He finished speaking, then called Derek over and gave him a few instructions.

Derek bowed and stepped aside, then approached Carissa and quietly said, "His Majesty said that if something displeases you, speak plainly There's no need to hold back for anyone's sake. It's the New Year, and your peace of mind is the most important. If you have something to say, say it."

Carissa nodded slightly. "I understand. Thank you, Your Majesty."

When Kylie had just risen to leave, Carissa had noticed Salvador speaking to her. She assumed that he

had asked Kylie to summon her to Everspring Palace to resolve the previous conflict between them.

Now, Salvador specifically having Derek say those words to her, it seemed as though he was offering her his support and giving her a chance to assert herself.

However, Carissa knew it wasn't as simple as that.

The other concubines had been

waiting outside, clearly intending to approach her as well. Salvador had probably noticed this, which was why he had instructed Kylie to

preve

summon Carissa, likely to

her from interacting with the other

concubines.

This signaled that, for now at least, Salvador's intentions were solely focused on establishing Connor as the crown prince. He had no other plans in motion.

Sure enough after Carissa followed

Lydia out, the waiting concubines dispersed in disappointment. As they passed through the arched gate adorned with hanging flowers,

Carissa spotted Caden hiding behind

the corner of the gate.

In his hand was a sugar figurine shaped like a guardian animal, which he had been about to bite into. When he looked up and saw Carissa and Lydia approaching, he instinctively hid the treat behind his back. However, realizing that he had already been caught and there was no use hiding it, Caden stepped forward with a composed air. "Greetings, Aunt Carissa."

Carissa gently tousled his hair, smiling. "What are you doing here alone?"

Caden stuck out his tongue playfully, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Mom won't let me have sweets. She says they'll ruin my teeth."

Carissa chuckled. "So you're hiding here to sneak a treat?"

Caden quickly shook his head, denying the accusation. After a brief moment of hesitation, he held out the sugar figurine to Carissa with an air of generosity and obedience.

"Here. You can have it, Aunt Carissa."

The boy's eyes were bright and clear, and they gleamed with a hint of reluctance despite his outward show of magnanimity.

Carissa felt some of the weight in her chest lift as she smiled. "Well, if I take it, you mustn't regret it later."

"Mom says you're a hero and as strong as any man, Aunt Carissa. I wouldn't mind giving it to you at all," Caden replied.

Carissa's smile faded as her gaze flickered toward the hem of a skirt visible beneath the flowering tree. "I won't take it, but thank you."

She gently brushed her hand against Caden's cheek. "You're a good boy."

Lydia was standing nearby, and she said, "We should go, Your Grace."