Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1319

A bowl of chicken noodle soup was placed before Rafael, but it was nowhere near enough to fill the emptiness in his stomach.

Louis mentioned that he had ordered roasted lamb and skewers, and that there was no shortage of rich food now. It was nothing like the days when the Southern Frontier was struggling. Even the common folk could afford meat these days.

Rafael shakily picked up the bowl and drank the soup in one go. The broth was salty, and he followed it with a whole jug of water. Slumping into his chair, he felt his strength gradually returning, though there was still an odd sensation, as if he were still bouncing on horseback.

The faces around him seemed to blur and retreat. He had to focus to make out their features.

Alec's voice cracked with emotion. "Your Highness, you look utterly exhausted."

Rafael rubbed his cheek. "Have the medic give me needle treatment for my face. It feels like it's been blown off-kilter."

Everyone took a closer look and indeed noticed that Rafael's face was slightly askew.

Louis spoke up. "Marshal Sanford, you haven't rested the entire way at all, have you?"

"There was no time," Rafael said, then revealed a shocking truth. "I feigned illness first, then secretly came to the battlefield. All this time..."

He sheepishly pulled out a handful of medicine, holding his head low in a way that almost looked embarrassed.

was really sick. I've had to take these medicines along the way, and

sent for the military physician. Rafael's health came first. They could discuss what

a deep sigh. "How did you get

serious?"

his hand dismissively. "It's nothing.

with care, but this depletion of your vital energy-I'm afraid it won't be so easily fixed. You may struggle in

his eyes widening. "It's

after day without pause. You've

saying I won't be able to function as a

that were the case, what use would Carissa have for

will surely improve. But for a while, I'm

bad thing. After all, you're a soldier, and you've had your share of injuries. This is the

moment, then quickly put on a stern face. "Misdiagnosis. This is a complete misdiagnosis. No word of this to anyone, or I'll have you punished

with their hands, their eyes filled with deep

understood... They all

lamb arrived, and they all sat down to eat. Recently, they had struggled with appetite and sleep. But now that Rafael's steadying presence was

as they hadn't been defeated, it

Alec looked worried. "Your Highness, you snuck onto the