Her Graceful War Song

Salvador's health had improved slightly, enough for him to turn his attention to the reports on his desk. He trusted Jeremiah, but not entirely.

What Salvador feared most was that the army was neither in the Southern Frontier nor outside Simonton City, chasing the Sandorian forces. Instead, it might be that the Hell Monarch had turned his troops back toward the capital-and that these reports had been suppressed, never reaching him.

Given Rafael's speed, he could have swept through and taken every county along his path within three months.

That was why Salvador needed to review the reports from each district and county.

Carissa had returned to work at the Capital Guard headquarters, and now he summoned her to the royal study. The conversation was naturally no longer casual. He wanted to gauge whether she had any news about Rafael.

Carissa told him the truth, and she was also deeply concerned.

Salvador studied her face, sensing no deceit.

But no matter which scenario they faced, it was grim.

If they were ambushed, it would mean the Southern Frontier Army's crushing defeat, and the region would once again fall into the hands of the Sandorians.

He now began to question Rafael's earlier decision. It had seemed rash to pursue the enemy. Defending the city was the safer course.

Yet, as he considered it, remaining in the Southern Frontier wasn't viable either. The people there revered Rafael. The longer he stayed, the greater the threat he posed to the court.noveldrama

Carissa had returned to the Capital Guard headquarters, but the waiting was excruciating. Days dragged on like years.

She didn't know what was happening. How could she, with no word coming through?

Winona had sent word, telling her that Skywing Spire initially had someone stationed in the Southern Frontier. However, they hadn't gone with the army, which was why there had been no reports. However, they had now sent someone to investigate and assured her not to worry.

How could Carissa not worry?

Every night, she sat in the study with Jacob and Kyle, studying the map.

Outside Simonton City lay the grassland tribes and the Ice Lake. Beyond the lake was the Atamore

Mountain. Crossing the mountain would bring them to Westara Lake, and just beyond that lay Sandorian territory.

But the map was incomplete-just a rough outline of the terrain, as it didn't belong to the Starhaven domain.

Even with the map, the route was perilous. What of the unknowns?

300,000 soldiers needed vast amounts of supplies every day. If they hadn't encountered dangers along the way, they should have sent word back long ago about their supply needs.

Carissa knew everyone was worried. Every day, she put on a brave face and reassured them, saying that

Rafael was a brilliant strategist and would surely defeat Victor and lead them to victory.

But each night, sleep eluded her. When she did manage to fall asleep, her dreams were plagued by nightmares. In one, Rafael was covered in blood. In another, he came to say his goodbyes.

She would wake, chilled to the bone, her pillow soaked with tears.

The torment dragged on until the New Year. By then, Carissa had lost weight, and her frame had shrunk noticeably.

She kept the situation of the battle from Helen, who remained blissfully unaware as she prepared for the royal banquet, humming with cheer.

Carissa sometimes watched her and felt a pang of envy. Helen didn't hide anything in her heart, didn't keep things her mind, and didn't hold back her words. She just said everything, whether good or bad, simply to feel at ease inside.

When Helen saw Carissa send Ryan off in the Klein family's carriage, she noticed the clothes Carissa was wearing, which looked very familiar.

She asked suspiciously, "If I'm not mistaken, you wore that last year when you went to the palace, didn't you?"

Carissa nodded, "Yes, I didn't make anything new this year."

"Why didn't you? Didn't you have someone take your measurements?"

"I was busy, so I told them to come back later. In the end, I just canceled altogether," Carissa explained, smiling as she gently brushed the peony embroidery on her sleeve "Besides, don't you think this one looks good? You said last year that it suited me."

"Even the best clothes shouldn't be worn over and over again. Life is too short, and there are too many beautiful clothes. This year, I had a few new ones made for Rafael based on last year's measurements. It's a shame he hasn't returned yet. Who knows when he'll come home victorious?"

She sighed, as if the thought of her son had only just occurred to her. "I hear the Southern Frontier is terribly cold. Such a harsh place to endure."

Carissa knew Helen cared deeply for

her son. But her mind, Rafael was an invincible war god-a warrior who never lost a battle. While she felt sorry that the Southern Frontier was so cold and he couldn't return to the capital for the New Year, she wasn't worried about anything else.

She then turned to Carissa and said, "Why do you look so much thinner? Have you been busy lately?" "Yes, very busy. Sometimes I don't even have time to eat," Carissa admitted. She could tell she had lost weight-her dress from last year now hung loose on her.

Fortunately, the cloak she wore covered most of it, though she could still feel her face had thinned. "Even if you're busy, you have to eat. A woman can't afford to be too thin-it makes her look sharp and unkind," Helen said as Carissa helped her into the carriage, still offering some advice.

"I know. Thank you for your concern, Mother," Carissa replied, settling into the carriage. She turned back

to glance at the lamps hanging at the palace gates.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't feel the festive joy that hung in the air.