Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1213

Violet interjected from the side, "Actually, I think you like both men and women."

"Flattering as always, but I like neither. Thank you." Isaac stretched lazily. "You two can keep roasting the sweet potatoes and chat."

He stood up, his movements usually carefree. Sometimes he walked with a languid grace, other times, he took long strides. But now, feeling two eyes on his back, he straightened his posture, adopting a military stance as he walked out.

"By the way, Bun and Thia were supposed to come for the New Year. They sent a letter before, but we haven't seen them yet, so they might not come after all," Violet recalled, turning to Carissa.

"Will their mentor even let them leave for the New Year?" Carissa asked.

"They haven't shown up, so it's probably because their master won't let them. Maybe they'll come after the holiday," Violet added, tending to the fire. The newly added silver-charcoal pieces began to glow, and the red embers slowly spread from the side. "When you said we were short on people, I sent them a message."

"It would be wonderful if Thia could come," Carissa said, resting her head on Violet's shoulder. A weariness flashed across her face. "This year feels exhausting. I always feel like I'm running out of energy. Every day, when I wake up, there's something new to deal with."

"Then take this New Year to rest," Violet said, her voice filled with concern.

"But during the New Year, the Mystic Army is the busiest," Carissa replied after a moment of thought. "Busy is good, though. At least it means when I lie down at night, I won't have time to think about Raf."

Violet was intrigued and asked, "What does it feel like to miss someone?"

"Missing someone is bearable. Waiting for them is the hardest," Carissa sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples. She tilted her head slightly, the line of her jaw particularly sharp.

"Honestly, before he left, I didn't think I would miss him so much. But at night, he just pops into my mind and takes up so much space. I can't get rid of him. His nerve knows no bounds."

Violet shivered involuntarily. "That's so cheesy. I can hardly believe you just said that."

Carissa smiled sweetly but with a touch of frustration. "Alright, enough about him. The queen's under house arrest. It's obvious the issue with the academy was her doing. Ruining someone's reputation, silencing them... The king will likely leave her in the cold for a while. Appointing the crown prince probably won't happen anytime soon."

"The king's mind isn't even on that matter," Violet replied. "He only wants to get rid of anyone with rebellious thoughts."

To Salvador, the Women's Academy could exist; however, what they taught must stay within certain boundaries.

"But why, then, do they occasionally select talented women from the capital? Doesn't that encourage women to study?"

"Yes, but they also say women who lack talent are virtuous. They want a wife who's modest and gentle, someone who embodies virtue. With the pressure of marriage hanging over them, which noble family would truly invest in educating a talented woman?"

Violet seemed to understand, a dawning realization in her eyes. "So, the reason Gracewood Women's Academy has so many students is because the queen dowager ordered for it to be established. They're just doing it to show her some respect."

"Exactly," Carissa nodded. "It's all about following the crowd. Everyone's going, so if someone doesn't go, it would seem disrespectful to the queen dowager. The parents don't expect their daughters to actually learn anything. They just go for the sake of going."

Carissa was also concerned. After the trouble with the women's academy, many students would probably not return next year.

In the end, nothing was more important than a clean reputation.