Her Graceful War Song



"Has Harvey really left the capital?" Carissa asked.

"We sent people to check for several nights. Dylan reported last night that Harvey isn't at his estate anymore. We've already sent men to track him in all three different directions. But if he's disguising himself, it'll be hard to catch him," Rafael replied.

Jacob cursed under his breath. "This was a miscalculation. I didn't think he would dare leave the capital now." Carissa studied her nails, her eyes cold. "If it's confirmed, then it's time to let the king know Harvey isn't in the city.

Rafael thought for a moment before coming up with a plan.

"Have Mom go to the palace tomorrow and ask the queen dowager to send a physician to Hartstone Estate. You should teach her how to speak in front of the queen dowager... It'd be best if Leona went, but don't disturb her and let her enjoy her life for now," he said.

Helen had returned to Hell Monarch Estate on the eighth day of the new year. After staying in the palace for ten days, she was tired of it and yearned for the freedom that she had at home. The palace was strict, but in Hell Monarch Estate, she made the rules.

Carissa stood up. "I'll go see her now."

Helen had already gone to bed. As a beautiful woman in her middle years, she needed plenty of rest to maintain her beauty. Being pulled from her warm bed by her daughter-in-law left her glaring with all the resentment she couldn't voice.

Carissa knew she couldn't let Helen lie, and there was no room for subtlety here.

She said directly, "When you see the queen dowager tomorrow, tell her that Harvey has been ill since before the New Year and hasn't gotten better. I don't know if he's seen a physician yet, but if he hasn't, ask her to send a royal physician to Hartstone Estate. After all, he's King Sigmund's younger brother."

Helen immediately bristled. "You woke me up just for that? His whole family treated you poorly, and you're still thinking about them?"

Oh, what a fool!Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Carissa could only sigh. "Ultimately, he's still Leona's dad. We can't just ignore him."

With that reasoning, Helen relented, her heart softening when she thought of Leona's plight.

"Fine, I'll go tomorrow. I'm tired now. Let me sleep."

"Rest well, Mother. Sorry to disturb you." Carissa quickly excused herself.

Helen flopped back onto the bed and was soon fast asleep, her mind at ease, with not a worry in the world. The next day, she took Gillian with her to the palace. Carissa's instructions to her weren't entirely remembered, but Helen did recall a few key phrases-Harvey was sick and a royal physician should be sent.

"What kind of illness do you think Prince Harvey has, Victoria? How could he have been sick for so long without getting better? It's not like he went out and caught some sort of dirty disease, right? We should get a royal physician to check on him. Don't let him embarrass the royal family," Helen said with a hint of concern.

Victoria frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of dirty disease?"

It was true that Harvey had been ill for a long time. He hadn't even visited the queen dowager in the palace during the New Year celebrations. Heather had come by once, and when asked, she mentioned that her husband was still sick.

Victoria knew Harvey well. He was a man who lacked courage, the epitome of weakness. Because of Leona's

marriage, he had long been disliked by the other members of the royal family.

But hearing Helen's words, Victoria couldn't help but reconsider.

She called for Keith Finley, her head chamberlain, and instructed, "Send a royal physician to Hartstone Estate to check on Prince Harvey's condition. You should accompany him."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Having served Victoria for many years, Keith was known for his unwavering loyalty and remarkable ability. Among the chamberlains in the palace, few could match his skills.

Seeing that Victoria had given the order, Helen felt confident that her daughter-in-law's request had been taken care of. So, she focused on her own matters.

"Victoria, I heard the palace had a new batch of jewelry delivered, including a pure-gold tiara with seven different colored gemstone inlays. I want it."

Victoria glared at her sister. "You think just because you want it, I'll give it to you? Who do you think you are?" Helen wasn't at all bothered by the queen dowager's sharp tone, adding, "Carissa has a bracelet, given to her by the matriarch of the Marquis of Ironridge's family. She said it was made for Carissa by her mother at The Golden Tower. I'm not sure how it ended up with Margaret, but it has now been returned. Still, I think just the bracelet is a bit too plain, so I was hoping to ask for that tiara to match it."

"It's for Carissa?" Victoria looked at Helen for a moment, intrigued. "I didn't know you were so fond of her. If you're asking for her sake, then I'll give it to you. As for who you give it to, that's your business."

With both Kylie and Sylvia wanting the tiara, the queen dowager had been unsure of who to give it to.

"Solana, bring the tiara. Make sure to tell everyone else that I've given it to Helen," Victoria ordered.

Solana smiled and said, "It's well known that Your Majesty dotes on your sister. I'll go get it right now."

Solana was one of the four main maids who accompanied Victoria, along with Summer, Sienna, and Shannon. Now, only Solana and Summer remained, as Sienna and Shannon had long since passed.