Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1179

Vera quickly pressed her hand to Jocelyn's mouth.

"Stop shouting nonsense! How dare you speak of such vulgarities? If those words reach your uncle's ears, he'll scold you thoroughly."

The Quinton family upheld strict traditions, and every action and word from the younger generation had to be proper.

Jocelyn shook her head and slapped Vera's hand away. "How can he criticize us when his own behavior is so dishonorable? I don't fear him anymore!"

"Enough!" Vera scolded, her tone sharp. "You're being childish. Others might harp on your uncle's past, but we've been covering for him all this time. Remember, he's still the Civil Minister and his son-in-law is the king. So many people's careers depend on him—don't forget that!"

Jocelyn sniffled, pouting as she fell silent, not daring to speak ill of her elders again. "I just can't stand General Farrell! He's weak and cowardly. His wife had an affair with another man and caused a huge scandal, yet he doesn't even say a word."

"This is the queen's decision," Vera replied calmly, applying the medicine to her daughter's wound. She took the opportunity to carefully explain the differences between marrying Hubert and Thomas.

Jocelyn had always admired Kylie, but she couldn't agree with her mother on this matter. Kylie had mentioned Thomas out of the blue the other day, and Jocelyn had found it strange.

She couldn't help but ask, "Did General Farrell speak to the king about this? Does the Farrell family really think they can marry into ours? They should know their place! I can't stand those military men. They're smelly, shabby, and rough!"

Vera understood her daughter's stubbornness. Realizing she wouldn't be able to convince Jocelyn, she let the matter drop. After all, the matter wasn't settled yet, and they still had to get Victoria's approval. They could talk again once that hurdle was cleared.

However, Jocelyn was still furious. When she returned to Gracewood Women's Academy, she ranted to Hailey and the others about how Thomas had the nerve to consider marrying her. She spared no effort in ridiculing him.

Seeing the humor in the situation, Hailey spread the story to the other students. Some laughed along, but others, who revered Thomas for his bravery in the war and his heroic status in Starhaven, believed such words were an insult to a man of his stature. They felt he shouldn't be mocked or belittled in such a way.

The two sides quickly fell into an argument.

Jocelyn was furious at those words. In her mind, only she had the right to look down on that old man. But now, Courtney was implying that Thomas wouldn't ever consider her as a marriage partner—that was a serious insult.

Without thinking, Jocelyn slapped Courtney hard across the face with her uninjured hand.

When Athena entered, it was to this scene. She stormed in, grabbed Jocelyn's hand firmly, and said sternly, "How dare you strike another student? Such behavior is disgraceful, not only to your family but also to Gracewood Women's Academy itself!"

Jocelyn, still stinging from the previous punishment, was afraid of Athena. But she also felt aggrieved, her eyes welling with tears. "She provoked me first! She started it! I didn't do anything to her!"

Athena turned to look at Courtney. Seeing the fresh scratch on her delicate, pale cheek where Jocelyn's nails had caught her, Athena's anger only deepened.

"Even if it's just the servants in the house, there's no reason to slap anyone like that. If her words offended you, you should have gone to a teacher. Gracewood Women's Academy is a place of learning, not violence. This will be dealt with severely."