Her Graceful War Song

Kylie's heart sank at the Royal Guard's words. She turned back to the ladies and noblewomen present, noting the questioning and curious glances in their eyes. She forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes.

"Connor is unwell. He'll try again next year."

With that, she signaled Lydia to find out what had happened, then took Connor's hand and led him back to the tent to calm him down.

Connor was consumed by his grievances and cried pitifully, unable to get a word out. All Kylie could make out was, "Everyone's picking on me, even Dad...even Dad..."

Not long after, Lydia returned with the details, relaying them all to Kylie.

Kylie could hardly believe what she was hearing.

She looked down at Connor, whose swollen eyes made him appear even more pitiful. But this time, she didn't feel her usual maternal sympathy.

Instead, she felt cold.

No mother believed her child was truly stupid. Most would think their child simply hadn't tried hard enough. Even if he didn't succeed, she would still say he was clever, just lazy. As long as he tried, he could catch up.

But now, Kylie was beginning to doubt if she had borne a fool.

Her voice was sharp with anger, and she couldn't hold back.

"After all this practice, how can you not even be better than your younger brother? He's three years younger than you, and he managed to hit that mountain rat! But you can't even keep an arrow from falling to the ground? How can you be so stupid, huh?"

At her words, Connor cried even harder.

"Why are you still crying? That's all you do! You're a grown boy, yet you still can't stop sobbing! After all this effort to bring you out here, you've just embarrassed me in front of everyone!" Kylie shrieked.

Connor's cries upset her deeply. In a moment of irritation, she swatted his bottom twice.

"Your Majesty, please lower your voice. There are so many people outside," Lydia quickly intervened.

Kylie pushed Connor away in frustration. Though she lowered her voice, the anger still seeped through. "Everyone is watching him act this foolishly. Who's going to respect him now? And what about the Hell Monarch? Doesn't he care? If Connor can't do it, why isn't anyone guiding or helping him? This was just supposed to be an appearance. Well, now he's shown his face and lost his dignity too!"

Just then, Marjorie's voice came from outside, "Your Majesty, may I come in?"

Kylie's irritation flared anew. Thinking of how her family had stood by and done nothing, she didn't feel like meeting them. But with so many people outside, if she refused to see her mom, everyone would know there was trouble between them.

She suppressed her anger and said coldly, "Come in."

Lydia pulled back the curtain and bowed respectfully as she invited Marjorie inside.

Once Marjorie entered, Connor, who had gradually quieted his sobs, suddenly burst into a louder fit of crying. He threw himself into his grandmother's arms, wailing uncontrollably.

Growing impatient, Kylie snapped, "Mom, what are you doing here? He was starting to calm down!"

Marjorie crouched down, gently placing her hands on Connor's shoulders.noveldrama

"Let me ask you-did your grandmother ever tell you what to do when you feel like crying because of a setback?" Marjorie asked, referring to Victoria.

Connor stopped crying for a moment, his face scrunched in confusion, His sobs turned into sniffles, as he answered,

"Grandmother said... If I want to cry, I

should repeat three times in my

mind that this isn't worth crying

over. If I cry, I'll get nothing."

"That's right," Marjorie said warmly. "And what happens after repeating it three

times? What else did she teach you?"

Connor's sobs came in broken, hitching breaths as he said, "She said if there's a problem, I should think of a way to solve it. If I'm not smart enough, I should ask the adults for help and listen to their advice. And if I don't do well in advise.

something, like when Mr. Young hit me on the hand for not getting my lessons right, she said I should work harder like I'm a fool-if they study for two hours, I study for four."

Kylie's face darkened. "You're not a fool."

She had just called her son foolish in frustration, but when anyone else did it, she couldn't bear it. Even if it were Victoria speaking, she would feel the same sting.

Marjorie ignored her entirely, continuing to ask Connor, "So, about today's matter, can you solve it on your own? Do you need to ask an adult for help? Tell Grandma what happened, and I'll offer you my advice."

Gently guided by her questions, Connor spoke about what had happened in the woods earlier.

"I was just too scared... Dad was watching me so closely. My hands were shaking, my whole body was shaking. couldn't muster any strength. It took all I had to pull the bowstring, and when I tried to Rock the arrow, my mind went blank. I forgot everything Uncle Rafael taught me. My stance was wrong, and the arrow just fell to the ground."

Kylie was frustrated beyond measure. "How could you forget? Your dad and your uncle were both there! What were you so afraid of? What was so terrifying?"

Marjorie shot Kylie a cold look, her gaze sharp. "What's the use of saying all this now? When it was time to teach and guide, where were you? What's the point of reproaching him now?"