Her Graceful War Song

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-wasn't that exactly how she felt too? It was delightful to realize how well their hearts were aligned.

He served her some food, adding a bit of everything to her plate. "You must be starving."

"I had some chicken noodle soup earlier. Lily was worried I'd be hungry and had someone prepare it for me. I heard you haven't eaten at all," Carissa replied.

"After toasting at table after table, there was indeed no time to eat. I had hoped to return earlier, but then my master pulled me aside to toast with the leaders of other guilds. I ended up drinking too much," said Rafael.

"My master was the one who dragged you off, wasn't he?" asked Carissa, taking a bite of the roasted meat.

It was cooked to a perfect tenderness and tasted delicious. The traditional dish combining various meat and vegetables represented the unity of a couple's hearts. So, she gave a piece to Rafael as well. The food served by his wife tasted even more delicious to him.

Though each had many things they wished to say, they ate in silence. This was their first meal after marriage. Without a suitable way to express their feelings, it was better to say less to avoid mistakes. Carissa ate gracefully, her manners reminiscent of a refined lady.

Rafael couldn't help but smile as he recalled the time when they conquered Ilyrian City. He had given her a bowl of chicken noodle soup, which she devoured with such enthusiasm that she finished the entire bowl in moments, leaving not a drop of broth behind.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Who could link the Carissa in front of him now with the one from the battlefield? They seemed like entirely different people.

Carissa ate slowly, unaware of the smile in her husband's eyes. Her mind was occupied with other thoughts.

The night before she married Barrett, her mother had invited her aunt to teach Carissa how to serve a husband and what the wedding night would be like. But over time, she had pretty much forgotten her aunt's advice.

Now, there was no one to guide her. Lily had likely assumed that advice had already been given, so she hadn't brought it up again.

Carissa struggled to recall her aunt's words.

Was she supposed to help her husband undress, or was it the other way around? Should she be the one to take initiative, or should she be more passive? Was the concern that her husband might think her too frivolous, or was it that he might find her lacking in interest?

Oh dear, Carissa had forgotten.

Wait, she remembered something. It seemed she shouldn't be too forward, nor too passive. She shouldn't make her husband think she was too frivolous, but she also shouldn't seem too unresponsive. She needed to find the right balance.

After they finished their meal, Rafael stood up first, taking her hand with a tender gaze. "We've had a long day. Let's turn in early tonight."

"Okay, then..." Her cheeks flushed suddenly. "Do you want to take a bath?"

"Yes, with the alcohol stench on me, I'd rather not have it bother you."

"Shall I call someone to assist?" Carissa offered.

He smiled. "No need for anyone tonight. The bathing chamber is right next to our bedroom. You... you should change into your nightwear first."

"Okay!" Carissa lowered her gaze, withdrew her hand, and said softly, "Then, you go ahead. You've had too much to drink. Just a quick wash will do." "Got it!"

Rafael's heart warmed at her consideration.