Chapter 149

After drinking some water and waiting for the alcohol to wear off, Derek accompanied Salvador to the royal chapel.

Derek asked cautiously, “Your Majesty, you don’t really intend to take Lady Sinclair as a concubine, do you?”

Salvador gave him a sidelong glance. “Do you think I would actually steal a woman from my own brother? Even if I did have such thoughts, my mother wouldn’t agree. She and Melanie were as close as sisters. How could she allow Carissa to become a concubine?”

Derek chuckled. “I knew it. You were just trying to push them a little, Your Majesty. How could you bear to confine Lady Sinclair within the palace walls?”

As he spoke, he stole a glance at Salvador. Though Derek was smiling, there was a hint of worry in his expression.

Salvador sighed.

“When Hector died in battle, Rafael went to Northwatch Estate before going to the Southern Frontier battlefield as ordered. He asked Melanie to wait for him, promising to propose to Carissa once he reclaimed the Southern Frontier. But Melanie married Carissa to Barrett. I couldn’t bear to tell him at first, fearing it would distract him on the battlefield. Even then, Andy sent him a letter. He must have been devastated.”

Salvador rubbed his forehead and paused.

“Who could have predicted that things would turn out this way? Barrett didn’t truly care for her. No sooner had he returned with military merits than he asked me for a marriage edict.

Surprisingly, Carissa showed no attachment to him. She immediately came to the palace to request a divorce edict. Initially, I dismissed her, thinking it was just impulse. What we didn't know—her husband… But then I questioned Carissa. I started to think Rafael still had a chance with her, but I was worried he might mind that she had been married.”

Derek nodded. “Your Majesty, by probing just now, you showed that the prince still has feelings for Lady Sinclair.”

Salvador sighed. “What good does that do? We argued so fiercely, and he kept repeating that Carissa is under his command, without even admitting he still loved her. I must push him further. Tomorrow, I’ll have the queen summon him to the palace.”

Derek smiled. “Your Majesty, he wouldn’t dare to admit his feelings when you said you wanted to take Lady Sinclair as a concubine. That would be openly challenging you. He couldn’t commit such insubordination. When he glared at me, he looked like he wanted to launch me.”

Salvador stopped and swayed a little. “Help me steady myself. Arguing with him has made me dizzy. If he continues to resist, I might really marry Carissa myself.”

“Your Majesty, you must be happy today since you drank so much. That’s why you’re dizzy. Arguing wouldn’t make you like this,” Derek said as he supported Salvador.

Behind them, the royal guards followed while palace attendants lit the way with lanterns, guiding them toward the royal chapel.

Before Carissa reached Northwatch Estate, she could already see Frederick leading everyone to wait at the gates from a distance.

As soon as she appeared, Lulu ran towards her, tears streaming down her face. “My lady, you finally returned! We were so worried about you.”

Press Merke [… unclear text …]

Everyone gathered around her. “Frederick, thank you for managing the household while I was away,” Carissa said softly, her features gentle in the lamplight. These were the only people she viewed as family members left.

“It’s no trouble. As long as you’re safe, my lady,” Frederick said, wiping away his tears and stepping aside. “Welcome home, General Sinclair.”

Lily and Holly were also wiping their tears, repeatedly asking if Carissa had been injured on the battlefield. Carissa reassured them again and again, saying any injuries were minor and had long since healed. Only after repeated assurances did they finally believe her.

Inside the main hall, after tea was served, Carissa asked, “Where are my friends?”

Violet and the others could have attended the celebration feast at the palace, but they declined. As martial artists, they didn’t want too many entanglements with the royal family and officials. While Carissa went to the palace, they returned to Northwatch Estate.

Frederick smiled and replied, “After a big meal, they bathed and fell asleep in the bath. It took a lot to wake them up and get them to their rooms. They’re sleeping soundly now.”

Salle [… unclear text …]

Finally, Carissa said, “Take a… to…” [… unclear text …]

The final sections contain significant unclear text and require more information to be properly edited. I have cleaned up the grammar and punctuation of the comprehensible portions as much as possible.