Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 919

Dominic stood and helped Carissa straighten up before gently rubbing her head, just like he used to when she was little. As a child, she would come to him to complain whenever she was upset.

She had been a small, delicate thing, and couldn't stand feeling wronged. Anyone who dared to scold her or speak ill of her would find themselves the subject of her complaints the moment her grandfather returned to the capital. After venting her frustrations, she would always hide in his arms, seemingly submissive and innocent on the surface. Yet, her eyes would gleam with mischievous satisfaction.

Tears streamed down Carissa's face, each drop falling in a steady cascade. With his rough fingers, Dominic wiped away her tears, swallowing the sorrow in his throat.

His voice still trembled with emotion as he said, "Who's been bullying our little Cari this time? But you don't need me to step in and teach them a lesson now, do you? You can handle it yourself and give them a taste of their own medicine."

His words, full of both pain and pride, made Carissa's heart ache even more.

She hurriedly wiped her eyes. She wasn't here to cry, let alone let her grandfather see her weakness. Through her blurred vision, she caught the familiar, doting look in his eyes. Yet, it only made her more aware of how much he had aged.

She had been through a lot these years, but Dominic had experienced even more. Besides the heartbreak over the Sinclair family, there was the loss of his third son's arm, the death of his seventh son, and his own near-fatal injuries from an arrow. Yet Dominic had endured each hardship with resilience. Even now, his back remained straight.

this caused others to admire him, all Carissa could feel was a deep ache in her heart. Finally, after much coaxing, Rafael managed to calm the grandfather and granddaughter enough for them to sit and talk properly. Carissa didn't dare ask about her uncles or aunts, afraid that mentioning them would remind her grandfather of the painful loss of his seventh son. She was cautious with her words, careful not to

the capital in a few days. She insisted on returning, saying

to reopen the

and the

"She misses you. She wanted to come back sooner, but she didn't dare. Now,

tonight, but he's staying

brought Ryan with her. She hadn't informed Salvador of her visit tonight. It was a private matter, but she would

would formally request the queen dowager's special permission in Ryan's name to allow him to meet his great-grandfather. That would give

always visit again, but it would be better with a legitimate excuse-perhaps bringing Sebastian to check on

been so long since they had sat down to eat as a family. Carissa's father had once said that one of the

had been the one to find the boy, and that still deserved a proper

gratitude to Rafael. "Thank you,

gesture. "Grandfather, there's no

was so natural,