Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 804

The Kingsley family delivered fifty thousand silver coins, claiming it was meant to settle matters for the women. Gemma continued to lament their poverty, insisting that they hardly had any money left and that fifty thousand silver coins had drained their resources.

Carissa cut off her sobs and said, "His Majesty has ordered you to produce one hundred thousand silver coins—no less. In three days, your son will be executed, and your family members can see him for the last time."

Of course, Gemma wanted to see her son. After all, he was the child she had carried for nine long months. But when she caught sight of the cold look in Martin's eyes, her tears resumed.

"What good would it do to see him? It would only deepen the pain… and the anger. He has done such terrible things that our family cannot accept him," she said.

"Indeed, he is guilty of unforgivable crimes. Perhaps it is better not to see him," Martin echoed.

They were eager to distance themselves from Henry. It wasn't that they didn't care for their son—he was as good as dead, and it was better if the family wasn't implicated.

Carissa had merely fulfilled her duty to inform the Kingsley family. Whether they chose to see Henry was entirely up to them. Since they opted not to, she accepted the banknote and dismissed them.

Fifty thousand silver coins—it was an amount carefully calculated.

The Kingsley family members understood the art of negotiation. Pulling together one hundred thousand silver coins all at once would suggest they had no financial woes. They also believed Salvador would provide a portion of the funds seized from Eleanor, so they aimed to give as little as possible.

However, there couldn't be a single coin missing from their payment.

The next day, they brought the remaining fifty thousand silver coins. Carissa took the money and allocated a portion to the women who would be returning home. She made it clear that no one was to refer to them as concubines any longer. They were now their own selves and no longer anyone's property.

However, many of them had daughters, young and old, and were reluctant to leave. Most chose to go to Pearwater Convent.

Carmen wouldn't be going to the convent, so Violet needed to keep track of her movements.

Chaya wouldn't be going either. Hayden had made it clear that as long as she hadn't turned into a pig, he wouldn't let her leave.

A flicker of discomfort crossed Lionel's features as he said softly, "She has a daughter—my sister. Would it be possible for her to stay at Pearwater Convent too? But don't tell the others she's her daughter. Just say she's an orphan and let the abbess take her in. I will send money regularly."

Carissa frowned. "You don't plan to raise the child in your family?"

She recalled Malcolm had mentioned that he had separate arrangements for the child.

"I can't bring her back, and it's risky to raise her outside…" Lionel sighed. "Anyway, you're aware of the situation and won't mock me for it. My parents have a reputation for their love, and I can't let that be tarnished. I have no choice but to burden the convent with this. Besides, Casey got close to my dad for a reason. You all say she's a victim, but I don't entirely agree…"

Carissa interrupted him, "This isn't just about what I think. His Majesty has spoken. If she isn't a victim, your family will also be implicated. Furthermore, if your dad had been steadfast, your family wouldn't be entangled with her at all. If you're looking to blame someone, start with yourself."

"Right, I misspoke. Please forgive me," Lionel quickly apologized.