Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Carissa turned her face away, a smile on her lips. It was only natural that she would have asked Sebastian to investigate. After all, men with self-respect weren't exactly common in this world.

Rafael gritted his teeth. "You actually think I'd have those kinds of diseases? I've been on the battlefield all this time! You didn't really suspect me, did you?"

The soldiers swam back to shore as Carissa reached out to take Violet's hand, completely ignoring her husband's question. Greta noticed Rafael's frustration and Carissa's haste to leave, as if the two were in the middle of a spat.

The journey back to the capital was uneventful after that. By the time they returned, it was almost August.

The Ministry of Protocol had long been aware of their arrival schedule, and news of their return had spread like wildfire across the capital. Filled with the purest of sentiments, the common people were naturally thrilled to see their heroes return. Crowds filled the streets, all eager for a glimpse.

Before entering the city, Carissa handed her horse to Carmen, instructing her to return it another day.

"Thank you, Lady Sinclair," Carmen said respectfully. "May I ask where you live?"

"Hell Monarch Estate," Carissa responded.

Carmen's eyes widened in shock. "Hell Monarch Estate? Are you... the Hell Monarch's princess consort?"

She hurriedly prepared to bow in deference, with Greta following suit. But Carissa waved them off.

"No need for formalities. Just bring the horse back tomorrow."

Having said that, Carissa extended her hand to Rafael. After casting a brief glance at Carmen, the prince took his wife's hand and pulled her up with a firm tug. The two rode off together on the same horse.

into

words, they would need to take

would actually make the blow even more devastating. If the Hell Monarch's princess consort saw Carmen as a friend, the betrayal from both a friend and her husband would hit her even harder, increasing the chances of causing a much bigger scene. Watching them enter the city, Greta turned to Carmen and said, "When we return the horse tomorrow, bring a generous gift. We need to start by winning the favor of

let out a small sigh of

onto a horse, making sure he was seated

agitated by the noise and crowd. If anything went wrong, people were positioned all around to quickly pull

had thought the procession would be a simple

as they passed

a deafening

of the road to control the citizens, but the people's excitement could

followed.

back their emotions. Tears welled in their eyes as they waved to the faces in the

everything felt

sounds of drums and fireworks, smoke billowing around them. He glanced back, trying to catch a glimpse of Joshua and Benson's faces, but the smoke made

a royal edict

crowd made it impossible. The cheers never ceased, and

hold the citizens

Richard decided it would be best to

Street was wider, and there was a circular platform in the middle. The officials led the eleven heroes