A few days later, the lifeless form of a palace maid was carried out of Victoria's palace.
That same day, Salvador issued an edict, commanding Sylvia to move out of Tranquil Palace. She was to take Phoebe and Cecil with her and settle in Laurel Palace.
Located in the northwest corner of the palace, Laurel Palace was near the Cold Palace. Almost no one went there on normal days.
When the edict was delivered, Sylvia was struck dumb. She stood frozen, unable to comprehend for a long time. It was some time before she managed to regain control of herself, though her face was still deathly pale.
"Pack up," she finally instructed her attendants in a hollow voice.
This was it—she and Cecil were completely out of the succession race.
Truth be told, she had expected this outcome ever since she learned of Jeanette's miscarriage. She had known this day would come. The dosage she had given Jeanette was small, barely enough to show any immediate effects. She had anticipated that it would take at least half a month for anything to happen.
But when the miscarriage occurred the very next day, it confirmed one fact—one of her spies in Jeanette's circle had sided with either Kylie or Grace.
It no longer mattered who it was. Salvador had clearly learned of Sylvia's involvement in the miscarriage. The fact that he had ordered her relocation to another palace meant he knew she was behind it.
If she tried to resist or stir up more trouble, it would no longer be a simple relocation but banishment to the Cold Palace.
This was the best outcome Sylvia could hope for. If she was lucky, there might be no further retribution.
Soon, the news of Sylvia's transfer spread throughout the harem. Everyone still remembered her grand entrance into Tranquil Palace. Now, seeing her relegated to a palace near the Cold Palace, the gossip began. Many speculated that the move was tied to Jeanette's miscarriage.
However, Salvador's edict stated that the relocation was due to Cecil's health. Though the young prince was recovering, he still needed peace and quiet to regain his strength. So, Sylvia and the children would move to Laurel Palace to avoid disturbances.
Additionally, Sylvia was to care for Cecil. As a result, her authority to manage the harem would be temporarily relinquished. Salvador instructed that a suitable person be selected to work with Grace in managing affairs.
While the official reasoning seemed clear, who could truly know the truth?
Perhaps the one most delighted by this turn of events was Kylie. At last, the thorn in her side had been removed.
Others were perplexed by this shift, but Carissa understood. With the power in the queen dowager's hands, any plot against the crown prince would be far more difficult to execute. Everyone would have to lie low and wait—no one would dare make any bold moves in the short term.
On the third day after Sylvia's relocation, she made her way to Serenity Palace to seek an audience with Victoria.
Sylvia had come to terms with her downfall. When one chose a path, one had to be prepared for the consequences. Yet, this time, she knew that someone else had meddled behind the scenes. For that reason, she requested to see the queen dowager and spoke her suspicions aloud.
Victoria listened quietly as Sylvia confessed to having given Jeanette the miscarriage-inducing drug.
"If the medicine was to remain undetected, the dosage couldn't be too large. Otherwise, the royal physicians would surely notice.
"So, I instructed the palace maid to administer it slowly over the course of half a month. But Lady Jeanette's miscarriage occurred the very next day. I believe someone interfered behind the scenes. I am guilty, but the one who acted in the shadows is equally to blame," Sylvia explained.
Victoria looked at her with tired, swollen eyes.
Instead of responding to the accusation, she said, "You should focus on caring for Cecil in Laurel Palace. The child is innocent, and the king will not take his wrath out on him. In time, Cecil will have better days. But mark my words—do not stir up any more trouble. That is my final counsel to you."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Her Graceful War Song
What happens to the other chapters, I've been waiting to read more of this story, the character's and the screening are fantastic, very intriguing story...
Next chapter please, what's happening...
Very captivating novel....
Both content and context are very intriguing, the writer style of pulling out characters in their unique ways are profound,I have recommended this book because it's very captivating...