Her Graceful War Song

It was Rafael's day off, and he felt as though Yuvan had ruined half of it. Helen shared his sentiments, expressing her disdain for Yuvan's family and how they expected her to play host.

"I can't stand a heartless man like him," she fumed. "Though he and the late king were brothers, he's not an ounce like him. He tortured his legitimate wife to death-he truly is a despicable man!"

Gillian interjected gently, "They came all this way, and you're the only one with enough seniority to handle them properly. We can't have Prince Rafael or Lady Carissa dealing with them. After all, they're younger than Prince Yuvan. It wouldn't make sense for an elder to visit the younger generation. Isn't it more fitting for you to step in? By doing so, you've helped Prince Rafael and Lady Carissa."

-

"I know, but I'm just so angry. I want to slap Yuvan twice," Helen said, her expression darkening. "There are plenty of heartless men out there, but I've rarely encountered one who is both cruel and callous."

Gillian blinked. It wasn't exactly like Helen had met many men, though.

Meanwhile, Rafael returned to Orchid Hall with Carissa. "Let's change clothes and go out for a bit. We'll have dinner outside tonight."

"Where to?" Carissa asked.

Rafael replied, "I originally planned to take you out today, but they wasted half the day. Now we're left with only a few hours, and we can't go too far. Let's head to Richspire Peak to see the maple leaves. I've heard this year's are particularly vibrant." Given their busy schedules, they hardly had time to nurture their relationship. Today was a rare chance to enjoy each other's company without any other obligations.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Thomas had recommended a great spot, one that was serene and cool, away from the crowds. A half-day excursion in the autumn leaves would surely be better than staying in the estate.

Carissa tilted her head and considered it. "But Vivi's busy talking to Carmen and practicing her swordplay. Should we wait for her?"

"Wait for her? Why?" Rafael shook his head. "It'll just be the two of us. We're not taking any maids or guards, not even Lulu."

"Oh, I see. Then, when will we be back?" Carissa asked, her brow furrowing slightly. "I was hoping we could pick Ryan up together since he's going to be staying at the academy next month. Plus, Vivi might be upset if we went out without her."

Lulu and Pearl followed behind,

preparing to assist with their outfits.

At first, they were excited to

overhear the conversation. It was rare for Rafael to take some time off to enjoy an outing with Carissa But as the conversation unfolded, their spirits dampened. It was clear

Rafael intended to be alone with her to strengthen their relationship and create some unforgettable memories.

Their mistress truly had no sense of romance whatsoever.

Rafael said, "Everything's arranged. Next weekend, I'll pick up Ryan with you. As for Violet and Carmen practicing swordplay, let's not disturb them. Come on, let's change into riding clothes. We need to set off quickly so we can return in time to catch the sunset."

Thomas had mentioned that watching the sun dip down from Richspire Peak's halfway point was a sight to behold. The summit seemed to glow with a golden light, inspiring a sense of peace that would wash away all worries. "Alright," Carissa conceded, but she felt a twinge of guilt. She usually went everywhere with Violet, and leaving her to deal with Carmen and Greta felt somewhat unjust.

Carissa hoped Violet didn't get too upset.

Just as they stepped out, still adjusting to their outfits, Luke entered with news. "Your Highness, Your Grace, Mr. Young and his wife have arrived."

"What? Mr. Young?" Rafael paused, momentarily taken aback. "Did they say what it was about?"

Luke shook his head. "They didn't mention anything, but I noticed they seemed troubled. I'm not sure if they're dealing with some sort of problem." Rafael frowned. "A problem? With their family? Why would they have trouble solving it?"

Trevor was the Royal Tutor, with connections that surpassed even Rafael's as the Hell Monarch.

Regardless, with distinguished guests arriving, their plans for the day-whether it was Richspire Peak or anywhere else were clearly off the table.

Rafael had been looking forward to

taking Carissa to Richspire Peak since he first heard about it from

Thomas After days of planning, iet

was disappointing to have to entertain Yuvan and now Trevor as welt. All his planning had been in vain.

Seeing the disappointment in Rafael's eyes, Carissa finally understood, albeit a bit late, that he had been hoping for a fun outing together as a couple. She took his hand, offering reassurance. "Let's go see what's going on. If it's not anything serious, we might still make it to Richspire Peak," she suggested.