Her Graceful War Song

Marjorie entered the palace with a quiet determination, having been sent by Malcolm to make his position clear.

Kylie's fury flared when she learned that her father intended to remain neutral.

"I've always supported our family when asked, without hesitation. But now, when I need help, you all retreat. I don't understand. If Connor becomes king, doesn't that benefit the Quinton family? Does Dad really believe everything will be smooth sailing for our family in the future?" Kylie said, her voice sharp, her eyes cold.

Marjorie sighed. "Your dad wishes to remain a loyal subject, to follow His Majesty's wishes."

Kylie's anger was so intense that she almost barked a laugh. "A joke! He's knee- deep in filth and still dares to talk of loyalty? Why didn't he say that sooner? It would have saved me from being sent into this royal family, left to fight and struggle all alone."

"Your dad's private life may be in question, but in his years of service in the Civil Department, he has served the throne faithfully. He has never been involved in bribery or corruption," Marjorie responded.

"Whether he's been corrupt or not, he knows the truth. What do you know? He's kept a mistress and even had children with her. Don't pretend you didn't know," Kylie said with a sneer, her words laced with bitterness.

She knew how to hit her mother where it hurt the most.

"Your Majesty!" Lydia interjected quickly, sensing the escalation.

Marjorie's face remained unchanged, though the words stung. That betrayal, though painful in her past, would not define her forever.

She calmly replied, "Your dad believes that the matter of the crown prince is one the Quinton family should not meddle in. His Majesty is already tightening his grip on our family. It could make matters worse if your dad were to intervene. His Majesty would grow more suspicious and resentful. That would only further diminish Prince Connor's chances of claiming the throne."

Kylie's frustration boiled over. "Excuses! Dad has many students and allies in court. All he needs to do is speak, and many would follow him. There's no need for him to intervene directly."

Marjorie didn't respond to that. Anyone with a bit of reason would understand the precarious position the Quinton family was in, as well as Kylie's own.

How could Salvador not be wary of the Quinton family? He was even wary of his own brother.

As pointed out, Malcolm had sat at the head of the Civil Department for the years. Countless officials, both in court and in distant provinces, were his and Gerald's students. Moreover, as the father-in-law of the king, Malcolm's involvement in the matter of the crown prince would immediately cast the Quinton family as a threat in Salvador's eyes.

As for Kylie herself, she would face severe consequences and likely be eliminated if she meddled.

The best course of action was to avoid any interference and let Salvador make his own decision. If Connor were appointed crown prince, the Quinton family would then take the initiative to prune their own influence to ease the king's suspicions.

This, of course, was not something Marjorie could admit outright. For one, Kylie would never believe it. She would dismiss it as the Quinton family's excuse to avoid

responsibility. And another reason was that if these words reached Salvador's ears, the charge of

presuming to guess the king's

intentions would be enough to bring serious trouble upon the Quinton family.

This wasn't the first time the mother and daughter had clashed. After Marjorie left, Kylie flew into a rage. But she didn't realize that as soon as her outburst ended, word of it, as well as of the conversation between the two women, made its way to Salvador.

Hearing it, he smiled coldly. "It seems the Quinton family understands the situation. When will Kylie finally grow a brain?"

Everspring Palace had long been under his watch, with informants planted to report every detail, no matter how small. Everything was relayed to Derek, who would sift through the information and pass on only the most critical updates to the king. Even the words Rafael had spoken to Kylie were reported to him in full. noveldrama

"Her Majesty seems to be growing impatient," Derek remarked.

"Of course she's impatient-she's learned of my illness. But her impatience is misplaced. What she should be worrying about is why Connor hasn't shown any significant improvement," said Salvador.

He didn't expect Kylie to care for him, to fret over his health, or be consumed with worry about his condition. They were husband and wife, but theirs was no ordinary marriage. He had never offered her exclusive care or tenderness, so he would never demand such things from her in return.