Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair) novel Chapter 618

Thomas laughed bitterly. "The rumors about my marriage intentions were spread on my orders. I can't now turn around and say it was to put an end to Viola's hopes and that I have no plans to marry at all. That would just make me look like a hypocritical scoundrel."

Violet asked, "Then tell me, if you were genuinely thinking of getting married, would you consider Ms. Young?"

"My dear godsister, how could I possibly be worthy of her?" Thomas repeated his answer, then added, "Honestly, I don't know her well. I know she has a great reputation, but she's at least ten years younger than I am, and she would be my second wife. I can't put her through that."

"She's happy to accept that," Violet countered.

Thomas chuckled. "How could she genuinely be happy? It's just a young girl's fleeting fantasy. As His Highness said, I should come up with a good excuse to decline gracefully, so as not to embarrass the Young family or the girl herself. Violet, you're clever—why don't you help me think of something?"

Violet replied, "I'm not going to help you reject her. Like my godmother, I'm hoping you'll marry and start a family soon to ease Viola's obsession."

"You little imp. You go on about how you don't want to marry, yet here you are pushing me into it!" Thomas said, exasperated.

"Everyone says a woman has no other path but marriage, but I refuse to believe that," Violet said, glancing at Carissa with a smile. "Besides, if I don't marry, Carissa will take care of me for life."

Rafael watched the sun sinking lower in the sky, his heart sinking along with it. Today was not a day they could have a nice day out.

He sighed inwardly.

He stole a glance at Carissa. She seemed genuinely intrigued by the banter between Thomas and Violet, as if she cared deeply about Thomas' prospect of marriage.

But really, she should focus on her own husband. He was feeling utterly dejected.

Thomas finally said, "Actually, there are plenty of women claiming they want to marry me, and I'm sure they'll change their minds in no time. If you don't believe me, you just need to wait and see. As for Mr. Young, it would be best for His Highness to send a reply. How he responds is up to him."

Rafael called out, his face impassive, "Someone fetch Jacob."