Her Graceful War Song

The moment everyone heard Rafael's question, their hearts sank.

Noah hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. No one has bullied Lady Helen..."

"Earl of Gracehold, are you saying my mother is lying and falsely accusing you?" Rafael coldly retorted.

"N-no, that's not what I meant."

Although the Earl of Gracehold held a position in court, when facing someone as cold and imposing as the Hell Monarch-a seasoned general from the battlefield-his confidence faltered.

Under Rafael's piercing gaze, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"It's all a misunderstanding-just a misunderstanding," said Noah.

Having gathered her wits, Dorothy immediately questioned, "Are you trying to throw your weight around, Your Highness?"

Samuel finally recalled his scholarly pride and disdain for powerful princes like Rafael.

He scoffed coldly, "Lady Helen was throwing her weight around. She barged into my family home to meddle in our internal affairs. And now, even you are stepping in to protect her, Your Highness. Are you really going to bully our humble family?"

Rafael didn't even glance at him, his eyes filled with indifference. "He talks too much. Dylan, slap him!"

Dylan, who had been waiting outside after driving the carriage, entered the room in quick strides at Rafael's words. Grabbing Samuel by the collar, he swung his arm and slapped him hard. The slap sent Samuel sprawling onto the ground.

Half of his face went numb, his ears ringing as his vision momentarily darkened. He struggled to prop himself up, only to be met with another slap. This time, blood spurted from his mouth as he collapsed onto the floor.

"Samuel!"

Both Dorothy and Abigail cried out at once, but Abigail didn't dare step forward to help.

Only Dorothy, furious and panicked, shouted, "Help him up!"

The household servants rushed forward to assist Samuel, but he was already dazed, barely able to stand as his legs trembled beneath him.

Despite his mouth being filled with blood, he still managed to weakly roar, "Hell Monarch, you've gone too far!"

Heartbroken and furious, Dorothy turned to Harvey and demanded, "Your Highness, did you bring them here to deliberately bully our family?"

Seeing his son-in-law being beaten, Harvey didn't exactly feel sympathy, but he did sense that things were getting out of hand. He was already considering how to de-escalate the situation when Dorothy questioned him Instinctively, he wanted to

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But Rafael spoke coldly first, "Uncle Harvey, it's best you stay out of the matters between me and the earl's family. I've heard my cousin is having complications with her pregnancy. Shouldn't you be sending Aunt Heather to check on her?"

This was Rafael showing Harvey some respect, giving him a way to only care about his daughter without needing to bother about anything else.

Yet, Harvey chose to smooth things over, saying, "Rafael, this must be a misunderstanding. Show some consideration for me, and let's resolve this with words, okay?"

Harvey still hoped to avoid a full-blown confrontation between the two families. He didn't want any added trouble.

Having shown the minimal amount

of respect expected toward Harvey, Rafael turned away and coldly ordered, "The earl's family dared to lay hands on an honored concubine and falsely accuse the royal family of bullying. Since Samuel is a scholar, I'll teach him a lesson on behalf of the king. Dylan, send word to Travis. Have him bring the household soldiers and smash everything in the earl's residence."

Travis had been standing by for a while. Dylan went out to deliver the command, and soon enough, he returned with dozens of household soldiers.

Though they carried no

weapons-being in the capital, even household soldiers couldn't casually bear arms they had their fists. The moment they entered, they began smashing whatever they saw. If something couldn't be broken with their fists, they kicked it with their feet.

The scene terrified the members of the Earl of Gracehold's family.

"Hell Monarch! How dare you insult our dignified family like this? I'll bash my head in right here and see how you explain this to the world!" Dorothy shouted, her eyes turning dark with panic. With that, she charged toward a pillar, intent on throwing herself against it.