Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair) novel Chapter 785

After leaving Willowbrook Estate, Carissa felt a weight lift from her chest.

The concubines and daughters in Harmony Palace had become an unbearable mountain of guilt pressing down on her. Carissa knew all too well why those women had been imprisoned in Harmony Palace, and she knew their misery was Eleanor's doing. Though Carissa refused to take on any blame for her parents' actions, she couldn't shake the deep sadness she felt.

Seeing those women, hollow-eyed and trembling at the slightest sound, had been heart-wrenching.

Meeting Chaya had been a small balm, a fleeting comfort like a colorful bubble glistening in the sun—beautiful yet fragile, and once popped, only the dark reality remained.

As the night wind whipped at the carriage curtains, Rafael wrapped an arm around Carissa. Neither spoke. Each was lost in thought, yet thinking about the same thing.

Eleanor's recent actions had rattled Yuvan, making him recoil once more. Now, he would be thinking of ways to get out of the capital. But he wouldn't dare make a move just yet, not with Ruth still ill and the treason case unresolved.

Salvador's decision to delay closing the case was wise. So long as it remained open and Eleanor was alive, Yuvan would be left in a state of restless fear. It might only last a year or so before he had to choose—to either give up his ambitions entirely or stake everything in a final gambit.

Yuvan had once had a golden opportunity, but was too greedy, wanting both the throne and a clean reputation. Perhaps he never believed that the Southern Frontier could truly be reclaimed or that Sandoria wouldn't try to fight back this time.

As Rafael and Carissa's thoughts converged, they spoke in unison, "For now, Yuvan will have to stick to the shadows."

The couple exchanged a smile—being married had really brought them closer.

"His Majesty must still suspect him," Rafael murmured.

"These days, His Majesty suspects everyone. But it's clear that Yuvan is his main target," said Carissa.

"Are you going to the Quinton family's residence tomorrow, or will you just send Michael?" Rafael asked.

"Since it's the queen's family and with the late king's teacher involved, sending only Michael wouldn't be proper. I'll go myself. I don't have to say much. I just need to ask a few pointed questions," she said.

Recalling the actions of the Duke of Oakspire's family, Rafael replied, "I'll go with you tomorrow. It's a rest day, so Lord Quinton should be home. I'll speak to him personally. Lord Quinton usually takes his family out on his days off, so I'll send someone ahead to notify him."