Her Graceful War Song

Sylvia's lips parted in shock. Her mind was in turmoil.

Based on Victoria's words, it was clear that they knew the truth, yet had no intention of investigating further.

But did Sylvia truly wish for them to pursue the matter?

If they did, she would be the first to bear the consequences. Regret settled over her like a heavy cloak. Coming to confess had only cemented her guilt. Lowering herself to the floor, she bowed deeply before stumbling out on unsteady feet.noveldrama

Watching her retreating figure, Victoria thought back to when Sylvia first entered the palace. Back then, she had been strikingly beautiful, with a proud and aloof temperament. After securing Salvador's favor, she had become arrogant, even domineering.

Over the past two years, she had learned to restrain herself, but the pride in her bones had never truly faded. And now, just the glimmer of ambition had driven her to this.

Power could really drive people to madness.

To prevent further complications, Victoria issued an order: Kylie and Grace were to copy religious texts, a task that would last until New Year's Eve. Only then would they be permitted to leave their quarters.

As for Connor and Caden, they were to spend their days studying and their evenings training in martial arts under Rafael's guidance. Also, they would reside in Serenity Palace, with Kylie and Grace barred from seeing them.

Because Serenity Palace was an impenetrable stronghold, there was little risk of the princes' food or drink being tampered with. However, they were most vulnerable when traveling to and from their lessons, so Rafael arranged for soldiers from the Mystic Army to escort them, ensuring their safety.

Days passed, and before long, a rumor spread through the palace. It was said that Sylvia's demotion had been due to her involvement in Jeanette miscarriage.

But within a few days, another rumor arose, claiming that Sylvia had been innocent all along. The true culprit was Kylie, and Sylvia had merely taken the fall for her.

The rumor spread like wildfire, sweeping through the palace corridors until it reached the queen's ears.

Kylie was certain Sylvia had started the rumors. Now was the time for the queen to restore her reputation. Even if she had played a role in Jeanette's miscarriage, she couldn't allow the blame to fall upon her. Besides, she was confident there was no evidence against her. If there was, Salvador's wrath would have already descended upon Everspring Palace.

More importantly, Kylie knew precisely whom she could not afford to offend, and who might be worth stepping on, if only to test where Salvador's favor truly lay.

With that in mind, the queen led her attendants straight to Laurel Palace. The moment she laid eyes on Sylvia, she unleashed a torrent of scathing accusations. She claimed Sylvia had slandered her, spreading falsehoods and committing the grave offense of insubordination.

On those two charges, Kylie ordered her attendants to slap Sylvia as punishment.

Everyone in the palace knew that Sylvia had long since fallen from favor. With that in mind, how could the few attendants remaining in Laurel Palace protect her?

Right before Cecil and Phoebe's eyes, Sylvia was seized by the shoulders and struck across the face a dozen times. They slapped her until blood spilled from her lips and the world spun around her.

Phoebe fell to her knees and cried, "Mother, please spare her! Mom never said such things!"

But Cecil resorted to far more direct methods. He lunged at Kylie and sank his teeth into her arm, biting down with all his strength. Despite her striking him across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground, he scrambled up and bit her again.

The palace attendants hurried to stop him, but it took a lot of effort to control the child.

Pain flared in Kylie's arm, but she made no move to retaliate further. Instead, she cast Sylvia a cold, disdainful look.

"Look at the son you've raised. How dare he attack me! Such reckless defiance! If he behaves this way now, what chaos will he bring upon the kingdom in the future?"

Sylvia could hardly stand, swaying as her attendants held her up. Her

hair had come undone and her accessories were scattered on the ground. Yet, even in such a wretched state, she still shielded her children behind her. Her glare was fierce as she fixed it upon Kylie.

In a hoarse voice, she said, "Are you truly so blameless, Your Majesty? Do you dare swear to the heavens that you had no hand in the loss of Lady Jeanette's child?"

Obviously, Kylie had no intention of swearing such an oath.

Instead, she straightened up and declared with righteous indignation, "Only the guilty resort to deceitful words and show no remorse or

shame. You even incited palace net

servants to spread vile rumors and conspired to lay blame upon me. But the heavens see all, Lady Sylvia. Your retribution has come."

"Yes, everyone will get their retribution." Sylvia trembled with fury as she glared at

the shameless queen before her. "Wait and see."

"At this point, you're still unrepentant. You're truly beyond redemption," said Kylie, then turned and left without another word.

Naturally, word of the incident soon reached Victoria. She sighed and shook her head.

"What a fool. She's clever enough to attempt clearing her name and testing the king's response, yet blind to the fact that someone is deliberately stirring up conflict between them, waiting to reap the benefits of their strife."