Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Carissa pinched his cheek playfully. "If you stop scowling in front of her, she won't think you're going to lecture her."

Rafael caught her hand and, with a playful peck on her lips, replied with a smile, "I can't help it—it's just my natural aura."

"You often smile when you're with me, don't you? You should smile more at her too."

Rafael nodded. "Alright, I'll do as you say."

Carissa went out to give instructions, telling the servants not to bring food to Helen's room. Instead, Carissa would personally invite her to the dining hall.

Helen was a bit fidgety, and asked several times how Rafael was feeling today.

Carissa reassured, "He's in a good mood."

Relieved, Helen followed Carissa to the dining hall. Rafael was already seated and, upon seeing her, stood up and greeted her. "Mom, you're here."

His tall, upright figure, combined with his habitual calm demeanor, conveyed the imposing presence of a seasoned general.

Then, in a show of obedience to his wife's advice, Rafael slowly smiled at Helen.

Helen was taken aback.

recalled the signs before the late emperor's outbursts-he would also slowly show a smile or a cold grin before erupting into fierce anger. Rafael increasingly resembled

nodded and

with a steady calmness. With Carissa around, she felt assured

short while later, Kiera and Ryan arrived and took their

in silence, with no exchange

showing how attentive she was to

brighten. She even enjoyed an extra

cleared the dishes, Helen suddenly felt

she felt a mix of

a meal together. There

about the current happenings. One of the matters that came up was what happened to Mary, the matriarch of the

said, "The rumors outside

her to Jadehill Estate to apologize, but the current marquis refused to see them. After hearing that, Aurora in

up running awa

family's matters in the estate, as everyone knew that Carissa didn't

also dissatisfied with the Marquis of Jadehill's actions. She didn't take Aurora's words to heart. Madam Clayton said since the deed was done, let people talk as they please. She

was reflecting

she not care? If someone dared to speak about

to bully. If she

Madaly have them beaten