Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1238

In the end, Malcolm left.

Watching his retreating figure, Carissa couldn't help but think how far he had fallen from the confident, imposing official he used to be. He hadn't seemed this defeated even after the scandal about his mistress. Now, it was as if the weight of the world had struck him down, leaving him utterly broken.

Though she stepped outside for a brief walk, exhaustion did not settle over her. Instead, she called for Michael to come speak with her.

"Your Grace, you can return home now. I can manage things here," Michael said.

"It's fine. It's already three in the morning," Carissa replied. "Better to avoid any complications. There are several prominent families outside, and some of them can cause trouble without a second thought. You won't be able to handle it. Plus, His Majesty never intended for them to make a public spectacle. If things get too out of hand and those detained get dragged out one by one, it'll be hard to explain to His Majesty."

"That's true," Michael agreed, nodding in understanding.

The next day, neither Malcolm nor Carissa could move fast enough—the Marquis of Glandale was ahead of them.

Fabian entered the room carrying thorn branches on his back as a sign of his submission, then began to weep. He claimed that the gentlemen's retreats were originally Eleanor's. After her downfall, he had planned to shut them down, but had continued to operate them at Gerald's suggestion.

Essentially, Fabian had turned around and cast Gerald to the wolves.

He chose the path that would offend the Quinton family the most because he knew about the spies from Sandoria. He understood that someone had to take the fall for this, and it was clearly going to be him. The only way to save himself and his family was to drag Gerald down with him.

However, the cost was high—he had effectively ruined any chance of repairing relations with the Quinton family.

But now, with Fabian's confession, Gerald was no longer just a guest at the gentlemen's retreat—he was also the reason the establishments had continued to function. This new spin on the story would change things.

As Salvador was mindful of Sigmund's reputation, he would likely try to downplay this incident.

When Malcolm entered the palace, he was met with Salvador's fury. A heavy inkpot flew toward him, landing with a thud against his thick clothing. It wasn't painful, but the impact was enough to make his legs buckle, and he fell to his knees with a thud.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" he cried out.

He still didn't know exactly what Fabian had said. But seeing the man kneeling outside with his thorn branches, Malcolm could guess that the truth about Gerald's visits to the gentlemen's retreat had come out.

"My dad was momentarily confused, Your Majesty. Please forgive him," he pleaded.

"This is utterly ridiculous! Outrageous!" Salvador seethed, barely able to contain his anger. "The Quinton family isn't just confused, you've gone too far! I've been lenient with you time and time again, turning a blind eye to many things, yet you dare to take on Eleanor's business? The gentlemen's retreats housed Sandorian spies, whom you've been sheltering for years!"