Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

After a busy day, and with the weather warming up, a bath was a necessity.

Rafael lifted Carissa effortlessly, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke in a husky, magnetic voice, "Perfect timing. Let's bathe together." Carissa wrapped her arms around his neck, her curiosity piqued. "We've been intimate every night, yet we haven't conceived. Why is that?" "Are you eager to be pregnant soon?" Rafael carried her into the bathing chamber, and started to help her out of her dress.

"Not really. I'm just curious. I remember my mother saying that she found out she was pregnant just over a month after marrying my father."

"I don't think we need to rush into having children," Rafael said, carefully peeling off her clothes until her fair shoulders were exposed. "I had Sebastian prescribe me some medicine. Let's wait until your health fully recovers first-you were injured on the battlefield, after all."

Her eyes widened. "You took contraceptive medicine? I've heard it can be quite harmful."

Rafael chuckled. "If women can take it, why can't men? Your health was already fragile. I couldn't have you taking contraceptive medicine just to prevent pregnancy. Sebastian told me that it's hard enough for women to build their strength back up. If you took it, it would undo all that progress and make things worse."

Carissa was touched. She had never heard of a man willing to take such medicine himself.

For the primary wife of a man, it wasn't even an option. If word got out that a primary wife was using contraceptive medicine, people would think she wasn't virtuous. They would think that her husband must despise her and leave her with no choice.

A proper wife was expected to bear children.

only to have so many children, but for all of them to survive

from her mind. She

bath, the two lay in bed, and naturally, one thing led to

Carissa asked,

adorned with a satisfied, warm smile. "They'll return soon. Even if we do nothing, they'll find an excuse to come back to the capital for a while. If they're set on

Carissa nodded in agreement.

alliances with the children of high-ranking officials. It was a significant step for them, During the New Year, Yuyan's hasty return to the capital had been alkabout letting those three children make

hadn't talked about Serena, but Rafael found the whole thing disgusting. Among the many things he detested in the capital,

approach him?

arms, her thoughts lingering on the fact

for quite a while tonight, lamenting how

explained, only urging her to rest

envious glances from many, Helen

past, I thought Carissa, being a woman who

never thought that. I knew Lady Carissa was pure. Even if