Her Graceful War Song

Carissa was a bit surprised. "Jacob has spies inside Valor Estate?"

"Yep. He has quite a few in all the estates within the capital, though some aren't as deeply embedded."

"Then why don't you tell him directly? Why tell me?"NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

Travis replied, "Ever since Kyle arrived, Jacob's been holed up in the study. I figured he was doing something on Prince Rafael's orders. Wouldn't it be better if you went back and told Prince Rafael?"

Carissa was even more puzzled. "But why are the spies reporting to you? Are you in charge of this? Does Jacob trust you that much?"

Travis grinned with pride. "Of course! Did you really think I was just a drill instructor? Jacob said I might look rough around the edges, but I'm meticulous when it comes to details. That's why he put me in charge of the spy network." After speaking, he did a few midair flips and flipped his way right out of the room.

Carissa was left speechless. She had always thought Travis was like a wild monkey-sure, he could train troops, but how could Jacob have entrusted him with the careful, delicate task of handling the spy network?

If anything went wrong, the whole plan would fall apart!

She returned to the room to find Rafael, and mentioned what Travis had reported. Then, she asked, "Did you and Jacob plant a lot of spies in the big noble families?"

Rafael leaned back on the chaise lounge and pulled her onto his lap, settling her by his side. "That's right. We placed them wherever we could, but the roles they play vary. Some slipped in as servants, some managed to get close to the heads of the family, and others joined as guards."

"Things moved that fast?" Carissa was amazed as she glanced sideways at his handsome face. "So all this time, while things seemed quiet, you were busy setting up this network?"

Rafael didn't sound resigned, just calm as usual. "We've got plenty of skilled people, but we can't openly send them to spy or monitor others. So we had to use this clumsy method. But don't underestimate it our people are well-trained."

"I can see that. Isn't Grand Princess Eleanor also always slipping people into the noble families?"

"She's different. Those old noble

families have got some backbone. After all, their ancestors earned their titles through loyalty and service to the court. They've got family rules Unless they're truly desperate, they won't support a rebellion. Take the Earl of Gracehold's family, for example. Samuel might be rotten to the core, but the Earl of Gracehold family's loyalty to the crown isn't any less than the others. Families like that can't be bought. If you can't buy them, you have to destroy them."

Carissa nodded. "I figured as much. Ever since Samuel left with Celeste and earned the reputation of abandoning his rightful wife, the rising star in their family was ruined Without a proper successor, the Earl of Gracehold's family was half-destroyed. Then, when Samuel went mad and hurt Leona, it brought down the wrath of the king, and the family was blamed for failing to raise their sons properly. All their young men were demoted. Unless one of them rises as Samuel did, the Earl of Gracehold's family is done for."

"Exactly," Rafael said. His gaze was distant, and there was a smile on his lips.

"Do you know which families Eleanor's daughters have infiltrated?"

"I have some ideas. Even Uncle Hayden's household has someone, but he's incredibly sharp."

Carissa was shocked. "You're saying Eleanor sent someone to Uncle Hayden...to serve him?"

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"The woman was probably aiming to become his bed companion. Uncle Hayden's wife has been gone for years, and his son is a county duke and is ruling quietly in the corner the realm. What Yuvan and the others want is the support of local powers. If they can control Uncle Hayden, they'll have his son under their thumb. After all, Unele Hayden returned to the capital alone without any of his children or grandchildren. Speaking of which, he mentioned last time that I should take you to visit him."

"What? Why didn't you tell me that? Let's go next time you have a day off." Rafael sighed.

His next day off? Again?

At this rate, would they ever make it to Richspire Peak before next year?