Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

In the bathing chamber, Rafael's nightwear had already been laid out. It was blue, made from a comfortable fabric with only subtle cloud patterns, matching the nightwear Carissa was about to change into in both color and style.

It wasn't entirely without embroidery, though. The cuffs featured some stitching: one sleeve bore the words "eternal harmony," while the other sleeve had "blessing of a child," symbolizing good wishes. Rafael had bathed and groomed himself the previous night, knowing that this evening might extend late into the night.

When he emerged from the bathing chamber, dressed in the blue nightwear, he looked both clean and handsome. After spending some time in the capital, his complexion had become notably fairer. Carissa remembered meeting him on the battlefield. Back then, his face had been covered in a rugged beard, and he looked as unkempt as one could possibly be. It was hard to imagine that the man before her now was the same person.

The candles cast a warm glow on the white wedding quilt, and the draped curtains added to the cozy atmosphere.

As Rafael gently led Carissa by the hand toward the big bed, her heart raced and her palms grew sweaty. She had never been so nervous around anyone in her life.

What she didn't know was that Rafael was even more anxious.

He felt an overwhelming urge to grab everyone by the collar and shout, "Have you ever waited years to marry the girl of your dreams, only to have her marry someone else? And just when you're about to give up hope, she gets a divorce and comes back to you, and tonight, you finally get to marry her?"

Was there anyone who could truly understand his excitement and joy?

Anyone at all?!

In his overwhelming emotion, he accidentally stepped on the long hem of her gown. Carissa stumbled forward, but he quickly caught her.

"I'm sorry!"

in his arms, Rafael felt his mind

of dizziness struck him again, as if lightning was crashing through his chest again and again. Everything around him seemed

returned, he found himself already on the bed, with Carissa's trembling,

partially open, exposing his chest. Her nervousness was clear as her hands fumbled, unsure where to place them. Carissa's heart raced uncontrollably when Rafael

taking the

of initiative herself? So, the usual

Right?

his clothing, what should

her entire body, and her ears burned. She even imagined that her

moved her gaze to his face, tilting

That adorable, innocent expression...

tell if it was the effect of the

of rationality dissolved, and

strong arms encircling her with such force that his solid, iron-like chest made it almost impossible for her to catch her breath. But perhaps the real reason she was gasping for

a puppy, just nuzzling