Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair) novel Chapter 655

Kyle looked up and said, "You two should head out for now. We're not finishing anytime soon. There's still plenty I need to adjust, and we might end up painting a dozen or more portraits."

Rafael stared blankly at the completed painting of the adult woman on the chair. He felt the woman in the portrait resembled Carissa's mom. Not the Melanie he had seen before heading to the Southern Frontier, but the one he remembered from his teenage years.

Back then, Melanie had a rounder face, and her smile was soft and gentle.

"Let's go," Carissa said as she tugged on his sleeves lightly.

Rafael glanced down at her. "Carissa, don't you think she resembled someone?"

"Who?" Carissa asked, her gaze drifting back to the painting. There was no sense of familiarity for her.

Seeing that she didn't share his thoughts, Rafael quickly amended his statement. "Perhaps I was just seeing things. Let's step out so we don't disturb them."

As they walked out, Rafael recalled his younger days of following Salvador to Northwatch Estate. Back then, Melanie was still quite young, and Carissa hadn't yet been sent to Meadow Ridge. Carissa was an adorable little girl, soft and sweet, with a lively and playful personality. Being the only daughter after six older brothers, she was greatly cherished, and her lively, gentle nature made her all the more endearing.

Yet, the portrait of Jaina as a child didn't resemble Carissa at all. Carissa had always been much prettier. That painting on the chair truly did remind him of his mother-in-law back then, though she was older than the woman depicted in the portrait.

He didn't dare mention this to Carissa, as he was afraid it would remind her of her family and sadden her.

Feeling it was still early and with the rain having stopped, he was about to ask Carissa if she wanted to go to Richspire Peak when she instructed Lulu, "I'm heading to the treasury. Have Rod come here. I need to talk to him."

Rafael swallowed the question he had been about to ask and instead inquired, "What do you need to see Travis for?"

Carissa replied, "It's about Alana and Leah. They refuse to take any pay for looking after Leona, claiming it's to atone for their mistakes. But Samuel's misdeeds shouldn't be something they bear alone. Their guild is indeed struggling, and we can't leave them in debt. What's due should be paid."

"Okay. I'll wait for you in the room," Rafael said with a nod.