Her Graceful War Song

Salvador's grand birthday celebration was set to take place in the royal gardens. The Royal Management Department had long since prepared everything, eagerly awaiting the day.

On the 25th of December, the princes, including Cecil, were still hard at training.

Cecil needed to be lifted onto his horse, but he made up for it with sheer courage. Following Rafael's instructions, he gripped the reins and urged his horse into a gallop. Of course, Rafael had arranged for someone to follow closely behind, just in case anything went wrong.

Connor and Caden had already mastered the required skills. Galloping on horseback was no challenge for them, especially since they weren't riding towering stallions but smaller, gentler chestnut ponies, which were easier to handle.

After they trained until late into the night, Rafael went over the key points for the next day's event, as well as how to handle emergencies. Just as he finished, Grace sent someone to fetch her son.

Caden had hoped to join the others for supper at Serenity Palace, but seeing Lyra beckoning him repeatedly, he had no choice.

He turned to Connor and Ryan and said, "Let's all do our best tomorrow and make Dad proud."

"Of course," Connor replied, smiling as he wiped his face with a towel. "Go on back now, Caden. Rest early tonight."

"I will." Caden turned to Rafael and bowed. "Uncle Rafael, I'll take my leave now." Rafael nodded slightly. "Go ahead."

No sooner had Caden left than a messenger from Laurel Palace arrived for Cecil. The young boy bounced on his toes, waving enthusiastically before skipping off with the messenger.

"Who would believe that Cecil has been sick? He doesn't need any rest. He has more energy than all of us combined!" Connor remarked with a laugh.

Ryan stayed silent, using a towel to wipe the sweat from his hair. Today's training had been grueling, and his legs were still trembling. Though he had some knowledge of Cecil's situation, he refrained from speaking of it openly.

Rafael gave the servants instructions to have the area tidied up, then told Connor and Ryan to return to Serenity Palace. Of course, there would be guards accompanying them along the way. Victoria had issued strict orders, and the Nightsteel Guard would be vigilant in ensuring no lapses in safety.

In Grace's residence, Iridescent Palace, she looked on affectionately as Caden devoured his supper, occasionally offering him spoonfuls of nourishing soup.

"Is it to your liking?" Grace asked with a smile.

Caden looked up, his mouth still full of meat.

His words were muffled as he said, "It's delicious. Everything tastes good when you're hungry. But Mom, Grandmother had roasted lamb, which love, prepared for us tonight. If you hadn't sent Lyra to fetch me, I would have had a good portion of that lamb. As it is, Connor and Ryan got to eat all of it."

"And how do you get along with Ryan?" Grace asked softly.

"Well enough," Caden replied, brushing aside a stray lock of hair as he continued eating, paying little mind to his disheveled appearance. "Ryan takes good care of me."

"You address him quite casually," Grace remarked, moving closer to her son as she gently tidied his hair "Of course, you can treat him like a close friend now, but you must always bear in mind that he is your subject and forever beneath you. And as for your eldest brother, he is your enemy."

Caden paused in his eating, his hands faltering for a moment. He slowly lifted his head, looking conflicted.

"Mom, I think things are quite good as they are now. Connor isn't as harsh as he used to be. He even thinks to bring me treats sometimes.

"Ryan is always looking out for me, and we all take care of Cecil, the youngest, though we tease him sometimes too. Training is hard but fun. Also, Dad has always said we should be loving and respectful to our siblings and friends."noveldrama

Grace's eyes darkened with a glint of malice. However, her expression softened again when she moved to sit next to her son.

"I'm glad you listen to your father, my dear. It's true that brothers and friends should be loving and respectful to each other. As clever as you are, you must understand that your elder brother must first show you kindness and warmth before you can respond with respect and courtesy, yes?"

Caden nodded. "Yes. Connor has been very good to me lately."

Grace reached out to stroke his hair. "Oh, my sweet child, a devil is always a devil. They don't change. Have you forgotten how he used to treat you?"

"Not entirely. But when I look back on it now, it was mostly just pranks or a few harsh words. Nothing more than that," Caden replied.

"You're wrong," Grace said, her expression turning solemn. "Do you remember when you were so ill recently? Have you thought about why? I looked into it, and it was him-he poisoned your food. He wanted you dead."

Caden froze. "But when I was sick, you said it was a good opportunity to let the queen and Aunt Sylvia fight each other. You told me to stay out of it."

"You were truly poisoned, but I didn't tell you at the time. I feared it would upset you." Grace's eyes filled with tears, and her lips trembled as she spoke "It was the queen who instructed him to do it. They both wanted you dead. The poison they used was cruel beyond belief. It

would have torn through your

insides and left you in unbearable agony."