Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1433

In the study, the lamps were still lit.

Hearing Kyle's words, Carissa let out a long sigh of relief. "Then, my injury should heal faster. I've been feeling utterly stifled."

"Tonight was truly terrifying," said Jacob.

Kyle glanced at Carissa and sighed softly. "If the king really follows in Yuvan's footsteps, then Rafael would take after Nicholas."

"He'll weigh the consequences," Jacob said.

"I just don't understand him. When I was a child, the king was close to my second brother and the others.

He treated me like a younger sister. After I entered court, he regarded me as a minister. So, why this sudden change of heart?" Carissa vented, deeply frustrated.

"Sudden? Have you forgotten that after the Southern Frontier was reclaimed, he once considered making you his concubine?" Jacob reminded her.

"I always thought he only meant to use me to force Raf to relinquish his military power," Carissa replied. Back then, her being Hector's daughter had also played a role-marrying her and bringing her into the palace would have prevented ambitious suitors from taking her hand.

Kyle thought for a moment, then said, "Perhaps even then, he already had feelings for you. But after weighing his options, he chose the greatest advantage and let you go."

He turned to Carissa, adding, "If he had insisted on bringing you into the palace back then, would you have agreed?"

I would have packed my things and gone straight back to Meadow

enter the palace, or because you don't like

don't want to enter the palace,

amusement. "But back then, you likely didn't like Rafael either. So, why did you marry

could it be that you already had feelings for Rafael at

rose to her feet and stepped out of the room on tiptoe, refusing to

hadn't thought much of it. She only knew she didn't feel unwilling. In fact, there

Coming to the estate

that Salvador had kept Carissa in the royal study for so long, already stirring up whispers. She had deliberately injured herself to avoid him, yet he had come straight

had come to

him, he could have summoned him to the palace. Why trouble himself to come

way he looks at you..." Violet shuddered. "It makes my skin crawl. I can't even describe it. It's not the same as the way Yuvan used to leer at me, nor is it as gentle and natural

about it. Just pretend it

out, he'll be very

wanted to say

realized there was no need to hide it, nor

keeping it

hung in the balance. There was no need to burden

with such troubles.

Rafael had set out to lead the troops in pursuit, her heart had not known a moment's peace. She