Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1344

Although it wasn't proper, Carissa had someone buy two pots of meat porridge before Zoey returned to her cell. She told Zoey that it was a gesture of thanks from the common people, to repay her for her years of distributing food.

This time, Zoey was moved to tears. She wished so much that her children could have a bowl of hot porridge, even if just a small spoonful.

After leaving the Supreme Court, Carissa paused for a moment before instructing Jacob to spread the story of the supposedly donated porridge.

Once, people had spoken highly of Zoey's charity. Over time, however, the talks had dwindled. Now, Carissa saw an opportunity to reignite that warmth, using this small act of kindness to revive Zoey's image.

Naturally, Jacob spun the tale a little more, embellishing it with compassion. He spoke of a man who had once been a starving refugee from the outskirts of the capital. He had been barely alive, eating the porridge at the charity stalls for several days. Before he left the city, the stall attendants had given him a package of dry rations.

Now, the man had heard of Zoey's misfortune. Although his life was still hard, he had traveled to the capital, bringing with him two pots of hot meat porridge as a token of his gratitude, and begged to have it sent to the prison for his benefactor.

Randall, the one in charge of Astral Prison, was moved when he heard the full story. He made an exception and allowed Zoey's family to receive the meat porridge.

The story of gratitude spread through the streets, quickly filling every corner of the city. The talk turned once more to the Earl of Silverstone's family and Zoey's strength of character. People began to speak of her again, pitying her and condemning the treatment she had received.

Many felt that Zoey's fall from grace wasn't due to her own shortcomings, but rather the collapse of her family's fortunes. It was also because she didn't have any maternal family members to rely on, making her an easy target for Oliver's repeated mistreatment.

The more they learned of Oliver's cruelty, the more sympathy they felt for Zoey.

Soon, the Oversight Department caught wind of the stories. Once again, reports were sent to Salvador—this time, while he lay on his sickbed.

Salvador had just heard from Jeremiah about the change in the riverworks project workers, and was now listening to the tale of the grateful citizen who had traveled so far to deliver the porridge. Perhaps because of his own recent illness, the king's heart was softer.

Jeremiah spoke gently, adding that it was clear that Oliver, who was in the wrong, had expected his family to suffer for it. Even during his escape, he likely foresaw what awaited them. And now, the man who had caused all this harm was safe, while his family suffered.

On the other hand, Zoey was truly pitiable. She had never known peace since marrying Oliver, much like Carissa when she was married to Barrett.

The difference was that Zoey's situation was even more tragic. At least Carissa was young and had martial arts skills. Able to fight on the battlefield and earn achievements, she wouldn't waste her years and end up imprisoned in Astral Prison.

Just then, Carissa finished speaking and turned to him. Noticing his silence, she mistook his expression for dissatisfaction.

"Do you think the Sacred Fire Regiment shouldn't be used, Your Majesty?" she asked.

The Sacred Fire Regiment was responsible for guarding the palace and the city gates. Since the first batch of six-barreled matchlocks had already been sent to the Southern Frontier, the Ministry of Defense and Isaac were working quickly to assemble more.

When Salvador didn't respond immediately, Carissa added, "The Mystic Army has its own Sacred Fire Regiment. Though we've always used single-shot matchlocks, we'll be fine with a bit of training. You needn't worry. If that doesn't work, we can use arrows. Our Elite Marksmanship Unit is also quite formidable."

Salvador was taken aback by the brilliance in her eyes. She handled such a crisis with remarkable calmness, making many men pale in comparison.

"Good," he said at last, his throat tight.

He wanted to say more, but for some reason, the words wouldn't come out.