Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1554

Victoria couldn't hold back her tears upon hearing those words. Connor was a dutiful child, and it was unfortunate that Kylie remained blind to that.

Night had fully fallen by the time they set off.

Kyle and Isaac, accompanied by Sebastian's apprentices, escorted them. The journey had been well-prepared by Rafael. The carriage wheels had been altered, and several layers of soft padding had been laid inside.

Sebastian had also ensured that Connor's injuries were properly secured, wrapping him in several layers. Each layer was padded with cotton, both to keep him warm and to reduce the damage from the bumps during the journey.

The bitter cold had driven everyone indoors, leaving the streets deserted. Snow fell in a steady, gentle stream, blanketing the cobblestones in a thin layer of frost. The carriage wheels crunched over the icy coating, the soft sound a contrast to the stillness of the night.

Salvador watched for a long time, well past the point when the convoy had disappeared from view. He was shivering from the cold, but wanted to stand there just a little longer before returning to the palace.

"Your Majesty, it's very cold. Let's go back," Rafael said softly, gently brushing away the snowflakes that landed on his brother's head and shoulders.

"Where's Mom?" Salvador asked as he turned away from where he was looking.

Victoria hadn't come out to see Connor off. She was old, and farewells like this were the hardest and most painful.

"She's still waiting for you," Rafael replied.

Salvador's eyes lost focus as he asked, "Do you think he will survive?"

Rafael couldn't offer a certain answer. The journey to Eldermere Keep would take at least half a month, and with Connor's severe injuries, it seemed a daunting prospect. The exhaustion of travel, combined with the internal bleeding, made recovery unlikely. If further blood loss occurred, the chances of survival were slim.

Though Salvador knew the circumstances well, he likely asked because he needed some reassurance.

Sensing this, Rafael said, "He will survive. With Sebastian attending him, he will get better."

Salvador fell into a long silence, then slowly started to walk with Rafael. As they began their journey back to the palace, the king at last broached the topic of Sylvia's death.

Carissa wasn't with them, but Rafael knew the details of the investigation. So, he recounted everything from beginning to end.

Salvador reflected on the matter for some time before saying, "Sylvia was a simple woman. Her likes and dislikes were plain to see. Though she appeared domineering, she lacked the malice to be truly cruel.

"Perhaps I nurtured her ambition too much, leading her to take action against Jeanette's unborn child. But even so, the poison would have taken weeks to act. The fact that she was willing to stake her life to prove her innocence shows that she is not guilty."

The entire court was filled with sorrow and regret.

Kylie wept so deeply that she fainted several times. Yet, amidst the grief, she still had the audacity to propose that since Sylvia was gone, she would take it upon herself to raise Cecil and Phoebe at Everspring Palace.

When Salvador didn't grant her request, she sought out Victoria, who was weak and confused from her illness.

Hearing someone crying by her bed, the queen dowager struggled to sit up and slapped Kylie across the face. "Leave!"

Stunned, the queen stared at her mother-in-law's face, which was red with anger.

Had Victoria just struck her?

In the past, the queen dowager was always reluctant to raise her voice to anyone. She would offer a few pointed words, and if one listened, fine. If not, she wouldn't say anything more. But now, Victoria had personally slapped Kylie.

Keith immediately had the servants escort the queen from the room. Outside, her sobs ceased. She walked away unsteadily, feeling as if the path of life ahead of her was slowly closing off.