Chapter 1286  After urging Thomas to return, Jacob sighed and said, “It’s only natural for them to feel this way. They’ve given their best years for the Southern Frontier. Now, just as they’ve seen a glimpse of peace, war threatens once again. How could General Farrell bear to see it all undone?”  As he spoke, he glanced at Rafael, knowing that the prince was the one who could truly understand Thomas‘ frustration.  Rafael remained silent for a long time, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said, “Keep a close watch. If there’s any news, report it immediately.”  Jacob nodded. “Understood, Your Highness.”  Rafael shifted the topic, asking, “What of Valken? With the city gates closed, has any news made it out? Is there any progress? Have they begun to follow the plan?”  “No news yet, but I trust Mr. Moore. He’s a capable man, one who can stir things up when necessary,” Jacob replied.  Rafael nodded. “If you trust him, then he has my trust as well.”  Cole Moore was one of the deputy governors of Valken. When Rafael first learned of Yuvan’s rebellion, he had sent someone to make contact with Cole, who was quite cunning and talented in both civil and military affairs.  He had been the runner–up in the national examination during the 11th year of Sigmund’s reign. However, over the years, he had only reached the position of deputy governor because of his arrogance.  He was known for his poetry, much of which expressed cynical views of the world. Yuvan had seen this as dissatisfaction with the court and had drawn him into his circle. For years, Cole had lived a solitary, secretive life, abandoning any chance of promotion just to stay in Valken, quietly gathering evidence of Yuvan’s treason.  But Yuvan had remained patient, his core military forces hidden from Cole’s reach. No letters had been exchanged, and Cole had been excluded from many of the critical meetings and left to handle the lesser affairs for Saul.  Without evidence, Cole had held his peace. But when Rafael sent someone to find him, he gave up searching for proof. Instead, he kept a watchful eye on their movements, quietly recruiting his own allies and waiting for instructions from Rafael.  He was a sharp individual, and his advancement was naturally not an issue. Often, his success relied on effectively utilizing the talents and efforts of the people working under him.  Having thoroughly vetted him before putting his faith in him, Jacob trusted Cole’s abilities. Even when they had previously investigated Valken’s military strength, he deliberately chose not to involve Cole to ensure he wouldn’t be easily discovered and could maintain a low profile.  1/3  +25 BONUS  Chapter 1286  Carissa returned later than usual. She had spent her day working at the Capital Guard headquarters, then gone to Gracewood Women’s Academy to teach martial arts with Cynthia before making a final stop at Skye Embroidery.  Although the situation was chaotic, Carissa remained determined to focus on her  responsibilities, making sure to do what was required of her.  When she returned to Orchid Hall, Qiana quickly approached and softly said, “Your Grace, His Highness has been drinking alone for about an hour now.”  Carissa glanced toward the inner room but didn’t see anyone.  She asked, “Where is he drinking?”  “He’s in the bedroom,” Qiana replied.  Carissa nodded, then hurried inside.  It seemed Rafael had chosen the solitude of their bedroom, likely to avoid Jacob’s notice. She lifted the curtain to enter and was immediately hit by the sharp, overpowering scent of alcohol. He must have had quite a bit to drink.  As she walked closer, she’saw him sitting on the settee. There was no wine bottle in sight, but there was a large jug resting nearby. His cheeks were slightly flushed, and he seemed about half–drunk.  When he saw her, he flashed a faint smile. “You’re back?”  His voice carried a husky tone, and the soft light illuminated one side of his handsome face, while the other half was lost in shadow.  “You’ve drunk this much?” Carissa asked, reaching for the jug only to find it empty. “Is something bothering you? Worried about the war?”  Rafael reached out, pulling her to sit beside him, then wrapped his arms around her waist. “I haven’t had a drink in so long. Tonight, I suddenly felt like getting drunk. There’s always something bothering me, but I don’t let it weigh on my mind.”  “Yes, we shouldn’t let it weigh on our minds,” Carissa said as she gently stroked his forehead.  She understood him well enough–he must have been hurt. With war on the horizon and Salvador still doubting his loyalty, it wasn’t easy. Her own mood wasn’t much better. Scenes like this had likely played out before in the past.  She remembered when her own father and brothers needed support on the battlefield, and Salvador had delayed allowing Rafael to go to war. It wasn’t until her father and brothers perished in battle that Rafael was allowed to lead the Hell Monarch Army.  Because of suspicion and fear, many military generals and soldiers had already sacrificed their lives.  2/3  Chapter 1286  Was that going to happen again now?