Her Graceful War Song

As soon as Florence heard that Daniel was to be locked away in the dungeon, she hurried after Eleanor.

"Your Highness, have you changed your mind?"

"Just lock him up for now," Eleanor snapped, feeling a wave of irritation wash over her.

"Yes, of course. Please don't be angry. You must take care of yourself," Florence urged gently.

"No one can compare to Hector. Even if he looks exactly the same, if he's not him, then he's not him. Not even the slightest resemblance can stir my heart. In fact, that face only makes me furious," Eleanor ranted as she stormed back into her room, a fire burning in her eyes.

After she sat down, she still felt overwhelmingly restless.

"Bring me water and scented soap. I need to wash my hands," she ordered.

The maids hurried about, bringing in warm water.

Eleanor washed her hands repeatedly, scrubbing away the memory of touching Daniel. It was just like how after every encounter with Henry, every moment spent close to him under the flickering light of the lanterns had to be washed away-requiring her to soak in bucket after bucket of hot water to rid herself of that repugnant aura.

After dismissing the maids, Florence sighed deeply as she observed Eleanor's increasingly unhinged demeanor.

"Your Highness, do you love Hector for his face? He's dead. Even if someone looks just like him, he's not the man in your heart. Why torment yourself so?" she asked.

In the past, Eleanor couldn't stand anyone saying she loved Hector. Even Florence saying it would provoke a sharp rebuttal. But now, Eleanor didn't want to argue. She suddenly felt that aside from loving and hating Hector, she had no connection to him whatsoever. So, love and hate it would be.

Though Eleanor's eyes were dark and full of unspoken sorrow, her words were laced with venom as she said, "It's all fate. I don't want to see a face like his again. Ruin Daniel's face and kill both his sons. As for his pregnant wife... Didn't you say that pregnancy is a hellish experience for a woman? Then, just send her through the gates of hell to join her husband."

Florence's heart chilled at those words. "Your Highness, we shouldn't do that. Tomorrow is the Emberfest Festival, and you've spent days transcribing scriptures. Why not let them go? After all, we are honoring the souls of the departed..." "Then, let's honor them all at once tomorrow," Eleanor replied coldly.

Looking up to see Florence standing motionless, she erupted in anger, shouting, "What? Do you pity them? Fine, I'll indulge your kind heart. Kurt!"

Kurt stepped in quickly. "I'm here, Your Highness."

Fury flashed in Eleanor's eyes. "Bring Daniel's wife and his two sons here. Lock them all in the dungeon. Right before their eyes, destroy Daniel's face and kill them all together. I want them to die as a family."

Kurt instinctively glanced at Florence. The elderly woman looked worried but didn't say anything. So, Kurt nodded and left to carry out Eleanor's orders.

Seeing the lingering anger in the grand princess' demeanor made Florence sigh.

"Let me prepare some herbal soup that can help soothe your emotions," she said before quickly stepping out and catching up with Kurt.

"Kurt, wait a moment."

Kurt turned around and respectfully greeted, "Madam Florence."

Then, he lowered his voice and

asked, "Should we really go through with this? Her Highness' mind changes like the wind. If we destroy that man's face and she blames us later, what will we do? Finding another face that bears such résemblance will be nearly impossible."

"I know you've had a difficult time dealing with her whims over the past two years. She often changes her mind, which has led to you facing a lot of blame. For now, let's just keep him in the dungeon. Bring his wife and two children there too. Her Highness insists on going through with it after a few days, then we'll act," Florence replied.

Kurt hesitated. "But if she gets angry because we're not following her wishes now, you have to protect us."

"Don't worry," Florence reassured. "I know her temper. She really shouldn't be bothered by these matters right now. Once she takes her medication and calms down, I'll talk to her."

"Alright, we'll do as you say. You really care for us. I consider you like a godmother," Kurt said gratefully.

Florence chuckled. "You're quite the charmer. At your age, you could easily be my grandson."Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

"I don't mind being either, as long as you protect us," Kurt replied with a solemn nod.

Florence smiled and waved him off. "Go on, then. Tend to your duties."

As she watched him leave, she noted how he looked back with a hint of worry. Florence sighed softly. Perhaps she was getting old and wasn't as ruthless as she had been in her youth. Killing an entire family felt too harsh.

Eleanor shouldn't be so fixated on old grievances and start a war. If she wanted to act boldly, she should have followed Yuvan out of the capital or returned to Stonebridge County to live her own life.