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.

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

"Your third aunt will be coming to the capital in a

to reopen the deep wounds he had buried for

concern. "The journey is long, and the weather is so harsh.

you. She wanted to come back sooner, but she didn't dare. Now, with everything that's happened, she's decided to come anyway. Let her come back to see you and

back her tears. 'I had planned to bring Ryan tonight, but he's staying at the academy. I

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

she would formally request the queen dowager's special permission in Ryan's name to allow him

visit again, but it would be better with a legitimate excuse-perhaps bringing Sebastian to check on Dominic's health, delivering

as a family. Carissa's father

in conversation, Dominic's heart ached too. He knew Rafael had been

to Rafael. "Thank you, Your Highness, for bringing Ryan

the gesture. "Grandfather, there's no need for thanks-we're all

'grandfather' was so natural, as though