Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1609

But-!

How could one person possess such determination and courage?

Who could have imagined that, after I had refused to trust Carissa, she would take matters into her own hands and ride straight to the Southern Frontier to inform my brother?

What an astonishing and unheard-of act it was!

A woman, who had been divorced and left her home, dared to march into the Southern Frontier camp alone, with no attendants or guards. The boldness and bravery she displayed were unmatched in the entire court.

Unlike me, my brother believed Carissa. He immediately began to gather soldiers and prepare for the united forces of Sandoria and Westhaven.

I knew full well how dangerous the battlefield could be there was no need to speak of the details.

When the news came that the Southern Frontier had been reclaimed, I wept with joy.

Then, my brother sent me a report, praising the soldiers for their efforts. Without a doubt, Carissa and her companions were the true heroes, and I would reward them accordingly. However, I was deeply disappointed in Barrett and Aurora. I had to think about the reasons why Westhaven had broken the treaty regarding the Southern Frontier.

It was not at this moment that I first began to reflect, for the border drawn at Victory Pass was counted among my own achievements, and I had taken great pride in it.

Greed was a part of human nature, but one had to recognize when it went too far.

When the truth was revealed, I could hardly contain my fury. I longed to punish Aurora and see her suffer. Yet, I couldn't kill her. I had to keep her alive and wait for the peace talks with Westhaven before handing her over to them.

Sinclair family in her. She remained neither humble nor arrogant, facing both praise

sister. But now, when she stood before me, I saw only Carissa. Despite her sun-darkened skin, she was still beautiful. Through her beauty, I saw her

in her own right. She shone like a brilliant gem that anyone

a small stone had been thrown

accept a woman who had been married before, especially if that woman

But I was deliberating.

among the people was soaring. At

knew well that he cared for Carissa. But for a man, love was always less important than power. If he had any ambition to usurp the

months. If she didn't, she would

left the choice

it was my clever scheme. How my brother chose was entirely

Carissa and relinquish his military command. But as

in the royal study laten

sip a cup of tea and reflect for a moment. It was one of the rare times I could

privately considered that if Rafael refused to

take Carissa into the harem

he soon made his decision, choosing

pleased, but also not quite

faint emptiness in my heart, a sense of something lost that I could not name. I knew I couldn't let this emotion consume

were destined to remain

moon's reflection on water-visible,

of it. Over the years had grown used to such restraint. If something I desired might stain