Her Graceful War Song

The next day, Rafael returned to the Supreme Court, and Carissa checked in on the study. Kyle and Jacob still hadn't come out, so she had someone send in some food but didn't disturb them.

Violet came over to speak with her briefly, and Carissa nodded. "Let's go, and we'll drop Ryan off at the academy on the way."

Evan and Ryan had become the best of friends. Although Evan didn't qualify to attend the academy, he had learned quite a bit just by following Ryan around.

The carriage ride was filled with chatter, with Carissa smiling and occasionally joining in. After they dropped Ryan off at the academy, the carriage turned around and stopped at a well-known coffeehouse in the capital.

The two of them didn't sit down inside. Instead, they slipped out through a side door and walked a few streets over, arriving at Blueflower Alley.

Violet stopped in front of a residence, and knocked. After a moment, the door opened, and Carmen greeted them softly. "Lady Carissa, Ms. Spencer, my father is waiting inside."

Carissa asked, "How did you get out? Weren't you staying with the Lester family? Didn't Greta follow you?"

Carmen replied, "My dad isn't well, so I came to visit. Greta had to go see my sister, so she didn't come along."

Of course, Henry wasn't actually sick. He'd simply used the excuse to arrange this meeting with Carissa.

Carissa and Violet found Henry in the study. Though he wasn't ill, his hair was messy, and he looked pale-enough to convince an outsider. He sat slumped in his chair, his posture slightly hunched. Even when he raised his eyes, they lacked their usual energy. "Dad, Lady Carissa and Ms. Spencer are here," Carmen said.

"I see them," Henry replied flatly. He studied Carissa and Violet for a moment before saying, "Please, sit."

Neither Carissa nor Violet bothered with formalities, and sat down directly.

"I heard from Carmen that you're willing to help rescue her mom," Henry began, getting straight to the point. "What's the plan? I need to know."

However, Carissa countered with her own question. "Why don't you tell me first how many concubines has Grand Princess Eleanor arranged for you, Lord Henry? How many children have they borne? And how many concubines have died?"

Henry's eyes were cold. "There were a dozen or more concubines, maybe even more than twenty. As for how many children... I don't know. I lost count. The daughters I've actually seen have only just been a few."

"What do you mean by you lost count?" Carissa pressed.

"A lot of them died. I don't want to remember." Henry turned his face away. For a brief moment, there was a flicker of pain in his eyes. "Just like you probably don't want to recall the scene of your family being slaughtered, Lady Carissa." Carissa exchanged a look with Violet, and there was a shared understanding in their eyes.

"You don't have to doubt me," Henry said, glancing at the two women, his gaze suddenly filled with hatred. "I hate her more than either of you could. I'd like nothing more than to see her torn apart, but I won't take any risks without knowing your plan first."

His hatred was real and impossible to hide.

Seeing that Carissa and Violet

remained silent, Carmen quickly added, "Your Grace, believe in my dad. He will help us. He loves my

mom deeply, but he has no way met

rescue her on his own. And if the grand princess falls, our family-the Marquis of Grovehill's family-won't be under her control anymore. We truly want to work with you."

Carissa could tell that Carmen genuinely wanted to save her mom, and was sincere in her desire to oppose Eleanor. Carmen had a close relationship with the Lester family Her family had been relying on Eleanor's protection, but at the same time, they had to make hefty tributes to her. Much of their earnings went straight into Eleanor's coffers, and no one could tolerate that indefinitely.

There was also the harsh treatment Melanie Lester had endured at Eleanor's hands.

Carissa turned to Henry. "I'm willing to tell you the whole plan, but first, I need to make something clear. If you betray us or reveal our plan to Grand Princess Eleanor, and our operation fails, I have the means to protect myself. But your daughter won't be so lucky. She'll die, and it won't be a peaceful death. You know how cruel Grand Princess Eleanor can be."

"Of course I know." He looked over at Carmen, a father's affection softening his gaze. "Even if it costs me my life, I won't endanger hers."NôvelDrama.Org content.