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.

spirit of the Sinclair family in her. She remained neither humble nor arrogant, facing both praise and insult with the

before me, I saw only Carissa. Despite her sun-darkened skin, she was still

woman like her was radiant and dazzling in her own right. She shone like a

I still remembered the feeling-my heart stirred, as if a small stone had been thrown into a still pond, creating

especially if that woman was Carissa. I cared not

But I was deliberating.

achievements were extraordinary. The entire court admired him, and his popularity among the people

But for a man, love was always less important than power. If he had any ambition to usurp the throne,

Carissa to marry within three months. If she didn't, she would be brought

the choice

my clever scheme. How my brother chose was entirely

hoped he would choose Carissa and relinquish his military

the royal study

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

privately considered that if Rafael refused to give up

take Carissa into the

his decision,

was pleased, but also not quite

my heart, a sense of something lost that I could not name. I

destined to remain just out

moon's reflection on

that I found hard to accept. If there ever was anything, had long since learned to reason myself out of it. Over the years had grown used to such restraint. If something I desired might stain my name, I had never hesitated