Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1286

After urging Thomas to return, Jacob sighed and said, "It's only natural for them to feel this way. They've given their best years for the Southern Frontier. Now, just as they've seen a glimpse of peace, war threatens once again. How could General Farrell bear to see it all undone?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Rafael, knowing that the prince was the one who could truly understand Thomas' frustration.

Rafael remained silent for a long time, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said, "Keep a close watch. If there's any news, report it immediately.

Jacob nodded. "Understood, Your Highness."

Rafael shifted the topic, asking, "What of Valken? With the city gates closed, has any news made it out? Is there any progress? Have they begun to follow the plan?"

"No news yet, but I trust Mr. Moore. He's a capable man, one who can stir things up when necessary," Jacob replied.

Rafael nodded. "If you trust him, then he has my trust as well."

Cole Moore was one of the deputy governors of Valken. When Rafael first learned of Yuvan's rebellion, he had sent someone to make contact with Cole, who was quite cunning and talented in both civil and military affairs.

However, over

world. Yuvan had seen this as dissatisfaction with the court and had drawn him into his circle. For years, Cole had lived a solitary, secretive life, abandoning any chance of promotion just to stay in Valken, quietly gathering

Cole's reach. No letters had been exchanged, and Cole had been excluded from many of the critical meetings

when Rafael sent someone to find him, he gave up searching for proof. Instead, he kept a watchful eye on their movements, quietly recruiting his own allies and waiting for instructions

his success

military strength, he deliberately chose not

than usual. She had spent her day working at the Capital Guard headquarters, then gone to Gracewood Women's

the situation was chaotic, Carissa remained determined to focus on

said, "Your Grace, His Highness has

toward the inner room but didn't see

"Where

in the

then hurried

seemed Rafael had chosen the solitude of their bedroom, likely to avoid Jacob's notice. She lifted the curtain to enter and was immediately hit by the sharp, overpowering scent of alcohol. He must have had quite

was no wine bottle in sight, but there was a large jug

flashed