Lily applied the cream to Carissa's other hand, her brows furrowing slightly to hide the sadness in her eyes."When you initially returned to discuss your marriage, you were met with a sea of suitors. Many noble families came to seek your hand."Carissa nodded. "I know about that.""Yes, but there is something you may not know. At that time, you hadn't yet returned from Meadow Ridge," Lily continued, gently rubbing the cream into Carissa's hand.Lily sighed softly. "Back then, the news of the duke and the young masters' deaths reached us. The battlefield needed a general, so the Hell Monarch was appointed as the Grand Marshal to reclaim the Southern Frontier."Carissa withdrew her hand, rubbing it herself, her gaze lowering as her eyelashes grew damp. "I know all this, Lily. You don't need to tell me."Talking about her father and brothers made her heart ache deeply."Listen to what I have to say to the end," Lily said, fighting back tears, knowing she couldn't let a single tear
After Lily finished speaking, a maid entered with a bowl of steaming chicken noodle soup. Carissa had been hungry moments before, but now, seeing the hot soup, she suddenly lost her appetite."You should eat. Your mother, watching from above, would be very happy to see you marrying Prince Rafael today. I promise you that," Lily said gently.Carissa's tears fell into the broth as she held the bowl of soup.Choking up, she said, "This phoenix crown is so heavy... It's causing me such pain in my neck that I feel like crying."Trying to hold back her own tears, Lily wiped Carissa's tears away but understood that a new bride could cry if she wished."Silly girl, finish your soup, then we'll remove the crown, change your clothes, and help you take a bath. Tonight, there's much celebration outside. Prince Rafael probably won't return to the suite until after midnight."Carissa took a few spoonfuls of the soup, her sobs softening. "Where's the dagger he sent? Didn't Mom give him a token
In preparation for her marriage, Carissa had acquired numerous new outfits.Along with the engagement gifts from Rafael, her collection included many pieces of luxurious brocade and cloud satin. Her trunk was filled with clothing for every season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—all in varying colors and with exquisite embroidery. There was even a separate trunk for fox fur and heavy cloaks.Looking at the engagement gifts and dowry items now, she felt she had more than enough clothing for a lifetime. The garments she wore today and those freshly arranged in her wardrobe were intended for the coming days. They were mostly vibrant in color but remained elegant rather than gaudy.Carissa found that blue hues suited her exceptionally well.The outfit she wore tonight was a gentle shade of blue. Not a dark blue, but rather light blue with a hint of lavender, which highlighted her snow-like skin and complemented her beauty mark.The outer layer made of cloud satin was incredibly soft
Lulu nodded in understanding and hurried off to fetch hot water, to be used to freshen up Rafael's hands and face.Carissa had just settled her husband onto the divan when Lulu returned and said, "Sage Adrian and Mr. Spencer, along with the other guild members, forced His Highness to drink. Deputy Ziegler said His Highness couldn't refuse, so they poured a lot for him. They drank rose wine with people from other guilds."Carissa frowned. "My master had someone force His Highness to drink?"Wasn't that just bullying? With so many guild members around, each one having a cup, they could have made Rafael drink until he vomited blood."Yes, he drank a lot. But isn't the rose wine from the Lunar Guild supposed to be mild? Why was it so strong?" asked Lulu."It's likely that my master brewed the wine, so it's not the kind the Lunar Guild usually provides," Carissa replied.She glanced at Rafael, whose cheeks and ears were flushed red from the alcohol. It seemed unlikely they would be ab
Lily watched from the side, deciding to leave the couple to sort things out themselves. Whether it ended in a fight or a scolding, Carissa and Rafael would handle it on their own.Carissa was upset, and if Lily stayed to offer advice, she might only fuel her anger. Carissa wasn't angry with Rafael but with Adrian. Lily left the room, understanding that it was better to leave the couple alone, so that Carissa would feel sorry for her husband, given the state he was in.After wiping Rafael's face and cleaning his hands, Carissa gave him some water to rinse his mouth. It helped him feel more awake.He was indeed clearer-headed now, even able to notice that Carissa was still upset. He understood it wasn't directed at him, but found her all the more beautiful when her delicate face was clouded with displeasure.The candles cast a warm glow throughout the room, and the intertwined knots hung around the lanterns seemed to warm his heart.Rafael cleared his throat softly and asked, "I mad
Rafael took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from the corners of Carissa's eyes."I'm not foolish at all. What use is military power? How can it compare to you? With the country at peace, holding onto military power would only provoke jealousy and lead to future troubles. Even if the king hadn't forced me, I would have given it up."Rafael even smiled with a hint of pride. "If he hadn't pressured me, I'd still be worrying about how to propose to you. With the edict given, I believed you would choose me over becoming a concubine. He actually helped me."Carissa shot him a teasing glance. "You're actually pleased about it? Really, you're the type who gets scammed and would still thank the scammer for it."Her playful reproach seemed to touch his heart deeply, making him feel like he was on cloud nine."It doesn't matter. I've achieved what I wished for," said Rafael.Carissa lowered her gaze, feeling a sweet satisfaction in her heart.Achieving what one wished for—was
In the bathing chamber, Rafael's nightwear had already been laid out. It was blue, made from a comfortable fabric with only subtle cloud patterns, matching the nightwear Carissa was about to change into in both color and style.It wasn't entirely without embroidery, though. The cuffs featured some stitching: one sleeve bore the words "eternal harmony," while the other sleeve had "blessing of a child," symbolizing good wishes.Rafael had bathed and groomed himself the previous night, knowing that this evening might extend late into the night.When he emerged from the bathing chamber, dressed in the blue nightwear, he looked both clean and handsome. After spending some time in the capital, his complexion had become notably fairer.Carissa remembered meeting him on the battlefield. Back then, his face had been covered in a rugged beard, and he looked as unkempt as one could possibly be. It was hard to imagine that the man before her now was the same person.The candles cast a warm gl
At around seven in the morning, Lily knocked on the door from outside. The inner and outer rooms were separated by a curtain, with the door to the bedroom in the outer area.Hearing the knock, Rafael and Carissa both opened their eyes and sat up almost simultaneously. Both were naturally alert.Carissa glanced at Rafael, noting he was without clothing, and suddenly realized she was in the same state. She quickly grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around herself. Her face flushed hotly and she assumed she was blushing.Recalling the previous night's events, Rafael felt he had not performed very well. He wasn't quite comfortable meeting his wife's gaze directly, and was still getting used to the intimacy they shared. So, he quickly grabbed his nightclothes and hid under the covers to put them on.Once dressed, he cleared his throat and said, "I'll get up first. You… you should put on your nightclothes, then call someone in to help you change."Why did this feel so awkward? He didn't
Spring Pavilion was full that day.The restaurant wasn't very big to begin with, and it usually had some customers. The black-clad men that lady brought had taken up all the remaining seats.Carissa, Violet, and Travis had to sit at a small table the owner had set up at the last minute, separate from the others.The man's voice, soft and apologetic, reached Carissa's ear. It was warm and pleasant. "These are my brothers-in-arms. We've been traveling since last night and haven't had a bite to eat. If it troubles you, I can have them wait outside and just pass them some bread each when we're done."Violet paused, surprised, but quickly shook her head. "No need for that. Please, let them stay. They can sit where they like and order what they wish."The man smiled kindly. "You are kind-hearted, miss. In that case, we'll order freely, and we'll take extra.""Alright… That's fine," Violet replied, casting a glance at the sea of black. The men were dressed in a way that suggested some
Carissa studied the man and woman carefully, feeling a sense of unease. She couldn't quite place their age. They looked to be in their thirties, yet there was an undeniable vitality about them, as if they were no older than twenty.Her gaze moved to their eyes, particularly the man's. His eyes were as deep and mysterious, yet they held the calculating sharpness of a seasoned old fox.Before Carissa could say anything, the man stepped forward and spoke. "This is where the orphanage is being built? Is the local government funding it?"Travis glanced at them, noting their perfectly spoken Starhaven dialect. They clearly weren't from Victory Pass, yet he saw no malice in their faces. He nodded. "Yes, it's a place to take in abandoned children," he replied. "It's being supported by the local government."The man nodded. "That's a good cause."Carissa stepped forward. "Are you from the capital?"The man regarded her but didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked, "Are you the He
Kendrick didn't wake until well into the afternoon the following day, his body heavy with exhaustion and hunger. When his eyes finally fluttered open, he felt as if his entire body had been shattered. Every muscle ached, and lifting even his arm seemed like a Herculean task.The weariness sank deep into his bones, and he had no energy to move. His attendant, a trusted servant by the name of Avery, stood at his bedside, awaiting his attention. He said quietly, "Your Highness, Lady Carissa has been waiting for you for half the day. She wishes to speak with you."Kendrick had initially planned to stay in bed, have all his meals brought to him, and then drift back to sleep. He was simply too tired to move. But when he heard that Carissa had waited so long, he immediately threw the covers off and commanded, "Prepare me, quickly."Over the course of the journey, Kendrick had come to understand just how formidable Carissa was. As a woman, she had never once complained about exhaustion
After lighting a candle for Edith, everyone returned to the backyard. They wiped away their tears, set aside their grief, and gathered around Carissa to ask about her married life. The most frequent question was about how well Rafael treated her.That was how families were. They knew she was capable, yet they couldn't help but yearn for her spouse to treat her with genuine love and care.Carissa had many cousins, all daughters of her uncles, but most had only met her a handful of times. Still, when they saw her, they were all overjoyed.Her cousins were all married, and many had returned to Victory Pass with their husbands and children. Having heard so much about Carissa, they couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and sympathy.Among them was Shayla Sullivan, the eldest daughter of Carissa's second aunt. She had married Chase Hudson, one of Dominic's subordinates. But within a year of marriage, Chase died in battle before their child had even been born.Now, the child was 12
After nearly twenty days of grueling travel, they finally arrived at Victory Pass on the third of August.The heat had been unbearable along the way, causing many in the party to fall ill. Fortunately, Carissa had come well-prepared with plenty of medicine. They had also brought along a royal physician, Dorian, who was able to manage the illnesses without any major issues.But Kendrick, having never endured such hardship, was exhausted beyond measure. By the tenth day of their journey, he could barely speak. His face and lips were pale, and the exhaustion was evident in every line of his features.When they finally reached the outskirts of Victory Pass and saw the Sullivan family and the troops come out to greet them, Kendrick collapsed. The sight of him fainting right there gave everyone a fright, and they quickly rushed to carry him back.However, Carissa barely noticed Kendrick's condition. As soon as she saw her family, she ran straight into her grandfather's arms, tears stream
On the twelfth day of July, the Starhaven envoy delegation departed the capital in a grand procession, heading toward Orivenia.Rafael rode alongside the group for five miles, only reining in his horse reluctantly when Dylan and Jacob both insisted it was time to stop. Carissa turned back to wave at him, her smile as bright as ever. There wasn't a hint of sadness on her face.Rafael gazed after her, his eyes filled with longing.But under his breath, he muttered, "She's heartless, truly heartless."The sun had risen high, and the road was still and stifling with the lack of wind. Still, Rafael waited until the last of the procession had disappeared from view before reluctantly turning his horse around and heading back.This journey to Orivenia was a significant one. Carissa had brought along three hundred men from the Mystic Army, as well as Travis, Violet, and the others.Though the two kingdoms enjoyed a temporary peace after the last conflict, Leroy had made public what happen
The evening before the trip, Carissa, accompanied by Rafael, made her way to bid farewell to Helen. Since she was leaving early in the morning, before her mother-in-law would be awake, Carissa chose to say her goodbyes the night before.Helen had known about the trip to Orivenia for some time. At first, she hadn't fully understood the situation and felt Salvador's order was a bit much. Why did it have to be Carissa, of all people, who had to undertake such a long and tiring journey?But after hearing from Violet that the real purpose of the journey was for Carissa to visit her maternal family, Helen only sighed quietly."The greatest pain in life is the separation from loved ones, whether by life or death. And the greatest joy is the reunion with loved ones after a long time apart."Of course, those words were spoken to Violet, and would never be said in front of Carissa. To say them to her would be like rubbing salt in an open wound. After all, Helen had come to love and cherish h
In the blazing heat of July, a letter from Westhaven arrived.Westhaven's king, Edmund, had abdicated. Grand Princess Lisandra was now queen. She had taken the throne and assumed control of the kingdom, and its name was officially changed from Westhaven to Orivenia.The new queen invited Starhaven to send an envoy delegation to attend her coronation and to discuss the long-standing border disputes. Lisandra had already ascended the throne, so attending the coronation was merely a formality. The true purpose of the visit was to negotiate the border issue.When the Westhaven envoy delegation previously came to Starhaven, their primary goal was the border—an issue that had been put on hold due to internal unrest. It was also the matter that had weighed most heavily on Lisandra's mind. So, with her coronation behind her now, she wasted no time in reopening the talks.At the morning court session in Starhaven, there was unanimous agreement that old grudges were behind them. Both kingdom
At Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa and Cynthia were busy teaching Roxana and Courtney martial arts. Mostly, it was Cynthia who took charge of Roxana's lessons, while Carissa kept company with Courtney, observing but not actively participating.Work at the Capital Guard headquarters was actually quite busy, but time seemed to slow down, bringing a sense of calm to everyone's hearts. No matter how long this period without suspicion would last, they decided to cherish each day as it came.But there was one thing that weighed heavily on Carissa's mind—Rafael's health.Although he was gradually recovering, his vitality had been severely damaged. Working tirelessly every day, leaving early and returning late, with irregular meals and inconsistent medication, he wasn't able to rest properly, which was always a worry.Bun came down the corridor and approached Carissa, saying, "Vivi says she won't be home tonight."Carissa nodded, her expression unchanged. She didn't need to ask. She knew exa