Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1356

By evening, tensions finally erupted.

The Waterworks Department had stationed soldiers to oversee the workers, ensuring work continued on schedule. Yesterday's heavy rain had halted all progress, but with today's rare overcast skies and no rain, Cameron ordered the workers to make up for lost time. In fact, he demanded they finish the project three days ahead of schedule.

The workers were already agitated, and they refused. Tempers flared, and heated arguments broke out between them and the Waterworks Department officials.

In a fit of rage, Cameron picked up a club and struck one of the workers.

That single blow ignited an uncontrollable fury among the workers. Over a hundred men turned on the officials, attacking them in a chaotic melee.

Fortunately, Carissa had already stationed people nearby to keep an eye on the situation. Word was immediately sent to Max.

Max was wary, suspecting this might be a calculated ploy by Nicholas. However, based on their investigation, not all the workers were connected to Nicholas. The group causing trouble appeared to be ordinary workers who had been provoked.

Balancing caution with urgency, Max led a group to intervene and break up the fight while also sending someone to report the situation to Carissa.

Carissa watched the daylight wane and knew the city would soon enforce the nighttime curfew. If the unrest continued into the night, it would be the perfect opportunity for Nicholas' people to exploit the chaos.

Without hesitation, she ordered Michael to lead the Capital Guard to the site and sent a message to Edwin, instructing him to recall Cameron immediately and place him under temporary custody.

"This is clearly Cameron's doing," Violet said with a frown. "I can't imagine what he's trying to achieve."

Carissa's expression darkened. "Perhaps Prince Nicholas is growing impatient. Or maybe this is a trap to draw me out."

Violet glanced at her, worry etched in her features. "Then let's stay at the Capital Guard headquarters tonight. We won't return to the estate."

Carissa's mind worked quickly. "If they fail to draw me out, they might come here instead. With all these workers causing trouble, we need to send people out. We can't pull guards from every checkpoint, so we'll have to send those nearby or from the Capital Guard."

She had anticipated this possibility and had discussed it at length with Jacob and Kyle.

But the reality remained: skilled fighters were in short supply, and there were too many critical locations to protect. Hiding in Hell Monarch Estate forever wasn't an option. Whatever would come, Carissa was ready to face it.

Violet's grip tightened on her sword hilt, her eyes steeling. "Then let them come. At least we'll stop wondering when they'll make their move. It's just a shame Cynthia, Bun, and Rod aren't here—we could've fought them together."

Carissa held her Rose Spear and ran a cloth over its sharpened tip. "It's just speculation for now. Don't let your guard down. But if something does happen, your first priority is to leave and get reinforcements. Don't try to fight them off on your own."

She nodded firmly and smiled at them. "All right. If no assassins come tonight, we'll drink and feast. But if they do show up, we'll give them the fight of their lives."

They moved into the main hall. The Capital Guard headquarters had its own kitchen, and Carissa ordered the cooks to prepare a meal as it was about time for dinner.

By about 11 in the evening, rain began to fall.

It wasn't heavy, just a persistent drizzle that seeped into everything and grated on the nerves. A messenger arrived from Michael, reporting that the unrest at the river was escalating. The number of rioters had grown, and they were becoming harder to control. Michael had already sent requests for reinforcements to the Royal Citadel and the Supreme Court.

Violet was restless and frustrated. She wanted to go out and check. But the thought of assassins potentially targeting Carissa stopped her, and she sank back into her chair.

"Do you think they'll act tonight?" she asked.

Jacob shook his head. "No. If they act tonight, it'll be a wasted effort. They wouldn't stand a chance."

The Mystic Army had fortified every critical checkpoint in the city. Even if Nicholas' forces attempted a coup, they wouldn't make it past Royal Street.

So tonight, they were likely just trying to stir up more conflict—either to create an excuse for future action or perhaps to target Carissa.