Her Graceful War Song

Helen remarked, "That young lady from the Prince family is rather pitiable, though."

Violet scoffed. "Pitiable? Hardly! They're all cut from the same cloth. You might not know this, but when Cari married the marshal, Viola's marriage was also on the same day. She tried to overshadow Cari at every turn, and even told her maids that Cari's dowry was so little. The look on her face when others came to add to Cari's trousseau was quite something."

"Is that true? How do you know?" Helen asked.

"Of course, it's from my sources. The Prince family's management isn't great. They can't control their servants' mouths. Viola's bitterness towards Cari is quite evident," Violet said with a touch of pride. It turned out that Winona's people were indeed very useful.

Carissa recalled her two meetings with Viola. The first time was uneventful, but by the second meeting, she had sensed hostility.

"We don't have to deal with her anyway. Let her be angry," she said.

"She's ungrateful," Helen spat in disdain.

She thought of how her son's military power had been taken by the Prince family, and added, "To say she's pitiable is to overlook that every pitiful person has their own faults. Her entire family isn't worth much, and they even took my son's military authority..."

"Mom!" Rafael's expression darkened immediately. "What are you saying?"All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Helen was startled and quickly grasped Carissa's arm, looking like an aggrieved kitten. She was just trying to show maternal concern! She didn't understand why Rafael was being so harsh.

Carissa said, "Mother, such talk is inappropriate, even within the estate. It was the king's decision."

Helen nodded. "I understand."

Carissa then lightly tapped Rafael's arm. "Don't speak so loudly."

Seeing his mother's reaction, Rafael realized he had been too harsh. "I'm sorry, Mom. I raised my voice a bit."

Looking aggrieved, Helen said, "You shouldn't speak loudly to your mother. If others hear it, they might say you're disrespectful."

Rafael glanced at Carissa, paused, then said, "I'll be more mindful, Mom."

With that, Helen decided to skip finishing her coffee and retreated to her room.

Though the sky had darkened, the weather wasn't too cold, and the breeze carried a hint of warmth.

The couple walked hand in hand through the courtyard.

Rafael informed his wife, "Aunt Avis was buried at Ethereal Peak in Valken The funeral followed a princess consort's rites. In death, she was granted the honor she deserved as a princess consort."

Due to the freezing rain, Avis' funeral had taken place not long ago. Neither Carissa nor Rafael had attended. They had sent Jacob in their stead.

Carissa felt a pang of sadness. "It's all just for show."

"Don't be disheartened," Rafael said softly, squeezing her hand. "At least you were there to keep her company before she left."

"Yeah." Carissa lowered her head, not saying much.

"Jacob said that Randall truly mourned Aunt Avis. He was the sincerest in his grief at the funeral, while Sabrina and Stephanie only managed to squeeze out a few tears to put on a show of sadness."

Carissa recalled the faces of the two

sisters. When they heard of their mother's death in Hell Monarch Estate, they seemed indifferent, as if their mother had already been dead

in their hearts long ago.

Changing the topic, she said, "I've sent a notice to Gracehold Estate. I'll be visiting Leona tomorrow."

"Do you want me to go with you?" Rafael asked.

Carissa smiled. "We're just having a chat between cousins. What would you do there? Besides, you don't have a day off tomorrow."

"I'll act like an incompetent official and stay away from the Supreme Court to go with you."

Carissa replied, "There's no need.

I've asked Vivi to come with me, and

I've also invited Rowan to join us. He'll check Leona's health. Samuel taking a concubine must have been a severe blow to her."

"Alright." Rafael frowned, clearly having little regard for Samuel.

Carissa suddenly said softly, "Leona loved Samuel deeply, but it's a pity her affection was misplaced."

Rafael pulled her into an embrace, his voice filled with determination as he said, "I love you very much too, and I know my love isn't misplaced."

Carissa rested her head against his chest. For a moment, her body felt tense, but slowly, warmth spread through her heart.

How could his chest be so warm and solid?