Her Graceful War Song

After Rowan returned to the physician's office, he reported to Sebastian about Carissa's Inquiry regarding Avis.

Sebastian glanced at him, and asked sternly, "You didn't say anything inappropriate, did you?"

Rowan replied, "I would never do that. I only mentioned that Lady Avis has gone to Verdant Monastery for her recovery."

Sebastian sighed. "We should keep this under wraps for now. Let's address it after the wedding. If she learns of it now, she'll certainly go there herself."

Rowan nodded. "I think the same. With the wedding so close and yesterday's art exhibition drawing even the king, no one in the capital will dare to speak ill of her. If we stir up trouble with Prince Yuvan at this critical moment, it will only lead to endless disputes

"Exactly. She's already facing criticism and jealousy for her second marriage and high status. Yesterday's art exhibition silenced those gossips. If the wedding proceeds smoothly and she hears only good things, then life will be easier afterward."

Rowan chuckled. "Are you becoming superstitious?"

Sebastian shot him a disapproving look, "What do you know? We physicians have to study more than just. medicine. We also have to learn some divination and astrology. Some things just can't be explained. The Duke of Northwatch's family has suffered so much. It feels like the heavens are targeting them for punishment. Hearing more good things and causing less trouble will help them get through this wedding smoothly. That's all I want."Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

"Yes, sir!" Rowan admitted he was only skilled in medicine and not in divination like Ivy.

Sebastian sat in the inner hall, his apprentice serving him coffee which he didn't drink. Instead, he stared blankly at the liquid in his cup.

He had never married, and had no children. Apart from Hector, he had no close friends. He saw Hector's children as his own, and the suffering they had endured weighed heavily on him. Carissa had lost her parents, and he had to consider her future carefully. Avis cared deeply for Carissa, but how could she protect Carissa while having her own predicament?

And then there was the Sullivan family, stationed at Victory Pass, guarding the frontier. As military generals, they couldn't easily return to the capital. Even if Dominic wished to protect his granddaughter, his strength was limited.

Also, the Sullivan family had suffered greatly. The eldest son had passed away early, the third son had lost an arm, and the seventh son died in the battle at Victory Pass. The Sullivan family had endured much hardship.

Sebastian knew that Dominic had petitioned the king, hoping the king would be more considerate of Carissa. Salvador had indeed been kind to Carissa, but...

Sebastian sighed, troubled by what he saw and worried about what might come. All he hoped now was that his concerns would not come to pass. It would be best if Carissa lived in peace with Rafael.

On the fifteenth of December, a heavy snow foll.

Carissa had initially looked forward to the snow, hoping to play in it with Ryan. But now, with the fifteenth day of December upon them and the wedding only nine days away, she guessed that her master and Winona would be arriving around this time.

Though the journey wasn't exceptionally long, the heavy snowfall made travel difficult by horse. They would have to stay at an inn until the snow cleared.

Carissa felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety, worried that she might not be able to control her emotions upon seeing her master and guild senior. It had been such a long time since she had seen them, and she missed them terribly.

When her life had been less than ideal, she didn't want to go back or let them know of her struggles. In the past, it always felt like she was shrouded in darkness, like there was a wall blocking her path. Now, having found Ryan, she felt a glimmer of light seeping through that wall.

The future, at least with Ryan by her side, seemed brighter. As for Rafael, while he had someone he cared for, she hoped they could still maintain mutual respect and courtesy.

This new life was so much better than before.