Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Rafael took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from the corners of Carissa's eyes.

"I'm not foolish at all. What use is military power? How can it compare to you? With the country at peace, holding onto military power would only provoke jealousy and lead to future troubles. Even if the king hadn't forced me, I would have given it up."

Rafael even smiled with a hint of pride. "If he hadn't pressured me, I'd still be worrying about how to propose to you. With the edict given, I believed you would choose me over becoming a concubine. He actually helped me."

Carissa shot him a teasing glance. "You're actually pleased about it? Really, you're the type who gets scammed and would still thank the scammer for it."

Her playful reproach seemed to touch his heart deeply, making him feel like he was on cloud nine.

"It doesn't matter. I've achieved what I wished for," said Rafael.

Carissa lowered her gaze, feeling a sweet satisfaction in her heart.

Achieving what one wished for-wasn't that exactly how she felt too? It was delightful to realize how well their hearts were aligned.

He served her some food, adding a bit of everything to her plate. "You must be starving."

earlier. Lily was worried I'd be hungry and had someone prepare it for

toasting at table after table, there was indeed no time to eat. I had hoped to return earlier, but then

you off, wasn't he?" asked Carissa, taking a bite of the

traditional dish combining various meat and vegetables represented the unity of a couple's hearts. So, she gave a piece to Rafael as well. The

first meal after marriage. Without a suitable way to express their feelings, it was better to say less to avoid mistakes. Carissa ate gracefully, her manners reminiscent of

help but smile as he recalled the time when they conquered Ilyrian City. He had given her a bowl of chicken

the Carissa in front of him now with the

smile in her husband's eyes. Her mind was

had invited her aunt to teach Carissa how to serve a husband and what the wedding night would be like. But over time, she had

there was no one to guide her. Lily had likely assumed that advice had already been given, so she hadn't brought it up

struggled to recall her

help her husband undress, or was it the other way around? Should she be the one to take initiative, or should she be more passive? Was the concern that her husband might think her too frivolous, or was it that he might find her lacking in

dear, Carissa had

She shouldn't make her husband think she was too frivolous, but she also shouldn't seem