Her Graceful War Song

Once Alice and Opal left, Violet shared details about Darin with Thomas, including some schemes involving Yuvan, Harvey, and Eleanor.

Violet chose her words carefully, omitting her and Carissa's plans for the Emberfest Festival. However, after listening, Thomas pieced together the information with what he had already investigated and came close to the truth. He understood that they would likely start their inquiries with Eleanor, as Yuvan's influence lay in Valken. In the capital, he relied solely on Eleanor and Harvey.

Eleanor's status as a grand princess allowed her to maneuver in ways others could not, and she had indeed been working behind the scenes on Yuvan's behalf. Without her assistance, Yuvan's power would have been weakened significantly.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Harvey was deeply embedded in the shadows, making it challenging to trace his connections.

It suddenly dawned on Thomas why Rafael had instructed them, the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team, to limit their dealings with Hell Monarch Estate. Initially, he thought it was merely a precaution against the king's suspicions. But now, he realized that avoiding contact allowed them to engage in many activities without raising flags.

Though Rafael had never stated this outright, and Violet hadn't mentioned it either, Thomas believed the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team was the prince's safety net.

He meticulously reviewed the situation in his mind. "So, Henry doesn't really approve of my marrying Darin, does he?"

"He's worried about dragging his family into trouble. If Darin makes any mistakes, the Farrell family will surely blame the Marquis of Grovehill's family. He's just looking out for his own," Violet explained.

Thomas nodded. "I got it. I'll hold off on this marriage for now. I need to ensure the grand princess doesn't suspect anything, and I can't let Henry breathe too easily either."

Violet smiled and said, "I came today to tell you about this, but I didn't expect to see Darin as well. Henry mentioned that Darin originally belonged to a performance troupe, but when the troupe went under, she had to fend for herself. Eventually, she caught the eye of some bandits, and that's when Eleanor saved her.

"We can't trust Henry completely, and we still need to investigate Darin's background. Fortunately, Kyle is at Hell Monarch Estate right now. I can ask him to paint her portrait and find someone in Stonebridge County to inquire about her. Even though the performance troupe has disbanded, the performers should still be around trying to make a living, and many people must have seen their acts. It shouldn't be hard to dig up information."

"Sounds good. You should head back quickly," Thomas replied, feeling a sense of urgency. "And remember, if there's anything you need us to do, come find me right away."

Violet chuckled. "What's wrong with taking it easy for a while? Why do I have to rush around? I'd much prefer a few days of peace."

With a wave, she strode out. Thomas stood up to see her off. Then, he smiled bitterly.

Ret

Peace? They were all so restless, it was driving them mad. What was the king planning, anyway? It had been so long, and he hadn't given them any official appointment did he notice something amiss? Was he keeping them on hold, waiting to see who would come into contact with them?

Thomas felt that suspicion was justified. Rafael had likely seen through it, which was why he urged them not to engage too closely with him. After pondering for a while, Thomas decided to inform his mother and sister-in-law about the marriage proposal, playing for time without outright rejecting or agreeing to it.

Alice didn't quite grasp the nuances. But since her son said so, she decided to go along with it as she trusted his judgment.

Meanwhile, Violet returned to Hell Monarch Estate. Upon hearing the study door open, she dashed over. Once she finished Jacob's tasks, she intended to ask Kyle for help with her own work.

As she entered the study, she was greeted by walls adorned with portraits. Rafael and Carissa were also in the room.

Carissa stood still in front of one painting, her eyes fixed on it without blinking. Curious, Violet walked over and followed Carissa's gaze.

When Violet saw the beauty mark on

the woman's upper lip, she froze. Then she glanced at the other portraits, studying each one closely. The paintings varied in shape and size, showcasing a range of facial features.

Finally, Violet's gaze settled on a piece near the desk, and she was utterly stunned.