Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1611

The sunlight filtered gently through the branches, and beneath the thick leaves, a pair of small legs swung back and forth in the air. The peaceful sight was enough to make anyone smile.

The girl's given name, the one recorded in the family registry, was Elizabeth Sanford. But later, she was given the nickname Elise. It was said that her mother thought she talked too much and chose the nickname to quiet her down.

However, Elise thought the nickname quite useless and not very pretty. The meaning of "Elise" was to be silent, but if one had a mouth and never used it except to eat, what then? Wouldn't she grow into a great fat pig if eating was the only thing she did?

"My dear lady, there you are! You had me searching high and low." Lulu stood beneath the tree, looking up with both fondness and exasperation. "Come down now. His Highness and Her Grace are asking for you."

"Aunt Lulu, what do they want with me?" came a bright, lazy voice from above, as content as a cat in the sun.

"Her Grace is going to Meadow Ridge and says she'd like to bring you along. Do you wish to go?"

At that, Elise's face lit up. "Truly? Then, let's go at once!"

She slid down the tree trunk without delay. Perched on either shoulder were two white cats named Blackbird and Whitefang, though neither name quite suited their soft white coats. They had come to her the year before, and Elise treasured them dearly. She had also trained them to be perfectly well-behaved.

In the side hall, Carissa and Rafael looked up as their daughter came bounding in. The two cats stayed perfectly still on her shoulders, not so much as twitching. The sight made both parents laugh aloud.

Elise ran forward and called, "Mom!", then sweetly added, "Dad!"

"They're all curled around you like that—aren't you hot?" Carissa asked with a smile, taking out her handkerchief to dab at Elise's damp brow and pluck a few leaves from her hair.

The two cats, who had been dozing with their eyes shut, suddenly opened them at the sound of Carissa's voice. Their amber eyes blinked, and they straightened at once. With dignified grace, they leapt down from Elise's shoulders and padded quietly out of the room.

"It's not hot at all; it's lovely and comfortable," Elise said cheerfully, linking arms with her mother and pressing her cheek fondly against her. "Aunt Lulu said you're going to Meadow Ridge. When are we setting out?"

"Tomorrow," Rafael answered from where he sat nearby. He watched his daughter's affectionate behavior with amusement, though he made an effort to keep a stern face. "Your mother's mentor has agreed to let you stay at Meadow Ridge and learn martial arts. You must treat this seriously. No fooling around or being lazy. Do you understand?"

Elise lit up with excitement at the news. "Truly? I promise I won't mess around. I'll train hard with Sage Adrian!"

The young girl had been to Meadow Ridge several times before and had once tried to stay to study martial arts. But as she had been too noisy and unruly, both Adrian and Everett had refused to keep her.

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