Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1433

In the study, the lamps were still lit.

Hearing Kyle's words, Carissa let out a long sigh of relief. "Then, my injury should heal faster. I've been feeling utterly stifled."

"Tonight was truly terrifying," said Jacob.

Kyle glanced at Carissa and sighed softly. "If the king really follows in Yuvan's footsteps, then Rafael would take after Nicholas."

"He'll weigh the consequences," Jacob said.

"I just don't understand him. When I was a child, the king was close to my second brother and the others. He treated me like a younger sister. After I entered court, he regarded me as a minister. So, why this sudden change of heart?" Carissa vented, deeply frustrated.

"Sudden? Have you forgotten that after the Southern Frontier was reclaimed, he once considered making you his concubine?" Jacob reminded her.

"I always thought he only meant to use me to force Raf to relinquish his military power," Carissa replied.

Back then, her being Hector's daughter had also played a role—marrying her and bringing her into the palace would have prevented ambitious suitors from taking her hand.

Kyle thought for a moment, then said, "Perhaps even then, he already had feelings for you. But after weighing his options, he chose the greatest advantage and let you go."

He turned to Carissa, adding, "If he had insisted on bringing you into the palace back then, would you have agreed?"

Carissa shook her head without hesitation. "Impossible. I would have packed my things and gone straight back to Meadow Ridge."

"Because you don't want to enter the palace, or because you don't like him?"

"Isn't that obvious? I don't want to enter the palace, and I don't like him."

Kyle's eyes glinted with amusement. "But back then, you likely didn't like Rafael either. So, why did you marry him without hesitation?"

His gaze turned teasing. "Or could it be that you already had feelings for Rafael at the time—only you didn't realize it, or refused to admit it?"

Carissa rose to her feet and stepped out of the room on tiptoe, refusing to answer.

Who knew? Back then, she hadn't thought much of it. She only knew she didn't feel unwilling. In fact, there was even a hint of anticipation.

At dawn, Jacob and Luke summoned the household staff to the front courtyard and ordered them to keep their mouths shut. Not a word of what had happened last night was to be spoken outside the estate, under pain of severe punishment.

The Hell Monarch's household was strict, and normally, no one dared spread rumors about what went on within these walls. But the true danger lay in those with ulterior motives, who might try to pry information from the servants. A little money could loosen any tongue.

And so, Jacob made sure to warn them first, making it clear that greed would only lead to their downfall.

As for Jacob, Carissa, and the others, they did their best to push the night's events from their minds, treating it as nothing more than a fleeting nightmare.

Yet, within two or three days, half the court and harem had already heard about it.

The king leaving the palace at midnight was impossible to conceal. Someone was bound to have seen him, be it the Garrison Unit, the Capital Guard, or even the night patrol officers of the Royal Citadel.

Even though Carissa and Anthony oversaw these forces, control did not mean absolute loyalty.

Especially within the Garrison Unit, where some officers were the sons of nobility. They had strength and ability, but family interests always came first. Of course, they would report back to their households, trying to make sense of Salvador's late-night visit.