Her Graceful War Song

But-!

How could one person possess such determination and courage?

Who could have imagined that, after I had refused to trust Carissa, she would take matters into her own hands and ride straight to the Southern Frontier to inform my brother?

What an astonishing and unheard-of act it was!

A woman, who had been divorced and left her home, dared to march into the Southern Frontier camp alone, with no attendants or guards. The boldness and bravery she displayed were unmatched in the entire court.

Unlike me, my brother believed Carissa. He immediately began to gather soldiers and prepare for the united forces of Sandoria and Westhaven.

I knew full well how dangerous the battlefield could be there was no need to speak of the details.

When the news came that the Southern Frontier had been reclaimed, I wept with joy.noveldrama

Then, my brother sent me a report, praising the soldiers for their efforts. Without a doubt, Carissa and her companions were the true heroes, and I would reward them accordingly. However, I was deeply disappointed in Barrett and Aurora. I had to think about the reasons why Westhaven had broken the treaty regarding the Southern Frontier.

It was not at this moment that I first began to reflect, for the border drawn at Victory Pass was counted among my own achievements, and I had taken great pride in it.

Greed was a part of human nature, but one had to recognize when it went too far.

When the truth was revealed, I could hardly contain my fury. I longed to punish Aurora and see her suffer. Yet, I couldn't kill her. I had to keep her alive and wait for the peace talks with Westhaven before handing her over to them.

Carissa's bravery made me see the spirit of the Sinclair family in her. She remained neither humble nor arrogant, facing both praise and insult with the same steady composure.

At first, I had seen her simply as Nathan's sister. But now, when she stood before me, I saw only Carissa. Despite her sun-darkened skin, she was still beautiful. Through her beauty, I saw her strength and unwavering resolve.

A woman like her was radiant and dazzling in her own right. She shone like a brilliant gem that anyone might wish to claim for themselves.

I was moved. Even now, as I thought back, I still remembered the feeling-my heart stirred, as if a small stone had been thrown into a still pond, creating ripples that spread through me. Even my breath had felt lighter and easier.

My harem could accept a woman who had been married before, especially if that woman was Carissa. I cared not for her past.

But I was deliberating.

My brother's military achievements were extraordinary. The entire court admired him, and his popularity among the people was soaring. At this moment, he still held command over the military.

I knew well that he cared for Carissa. But for a man, love was always less important than power. If he had any ambition to usurp the throne, he would never give up control of the military for her.

I issued an edict, ordering Carissa to marry within three months. If she didn't, she would be brought into the palace as a concubine.

I left the choice to Rafael.

Everyone knew it was my clever scheme. How my brother chose was entirely up to him.

Naturally, I hoped he would choose Carissa and relinquish his military command. But as I reviewed

documents in the royal study laten et

into the night, I would quietly sip a cup of tea and reflect for a moment. It was one of the rare times I could relax.

I also privately considered that if Rafael refused to give up his power, I could

simply take Carissa into the harem myself.

But he soon made his decision, choosing Carissa over military command.

I was pleased, but also not quite as

pleased as should have been. There was a faint emptiness in my heart, a sense of something lost that I could not name. I knew I couldn't let this emotion consume me The stability of the kingdom was far more important than anything personal.

As a ruler, there were things that were destined to remain just out of reach. It was

like the moon's reflection on water-visible, but unattainable.

There was little in life that I found hard to accept. If there ever was anything, had long since learned to reason myself out of it. Over the years had grown used to such restraint. If something I desired might stain my name, I had never hesitated to let it go.

Just this once, it was especially difficult.

Reclaiming command of the army brought a brief spell of joy, but it was followed by a deep emptiness, as though something dear had slipped away. That feeling lingered for a long time.

Derek suggested selecting a new concubine, but I refused. Some emotions couldn't be replaced.

Besides, I had invested so much energy into the affairs of the kingdom. My visits

to the harem were few and far between-what was the point of keeping so many women in empty rooms?

On the day my brother and Carissa married, my feelings were conflicted.

As a brother, I was happy for them.

As a man, I felt a pang of jealousy. It was a bitter feeling that was hard to bear.

As a king, I feared their marriage might one day create complications.

In the end, I buried those feelings deep inside. Let them be forgotten like the stirrings that once were.

A king was not entitled to such things.