Chapter 172

Leaving an unmarried man and woman alone in a room was inappropriate. Frederick would normally insist on several attendants being present for propriety's sake. However, with Rafael addressed as Marshal and Carissa as General Sinclair, Frederick assumed their discussion would revolve around military matters, which were none of his concern. After serving a pot of tea, Frederick promptly cleared the room and closed the door, instructing that no one should approach.

Rafael held his cup, his long fingers tracing the floral design on its surface, his expression solemn. After a moment of silence, seeing that he had not yet spoken, Carissa looked up at him, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Marshal, is this about the Southern Frontier battlefield…?”

“Not at all,” Rafael interrupted, taking a sip of tea before setting the cup down. “I’m here today for personal matters, not military ones.”

Carissa's eyebrows lifted in surprise. Personal matters? What could there be to discuss between her and Rafael if not military matters?

Rafael looked at her and asked, “The king has given you a three-month deadline to marry. Otherwise, you will have to enter the palace as a concubine. Correct?”

Carissa wasn't surprised that he knew about this, so she simply nodded.

“Do you want to enter the palace and become a concubine?” Rafael asked bluntly.

Carissa studied Rafael’s face. “Did His Majesty send you?”

“No. I’m asking this for myself.”

Carissa met his clear, unwavering gaze and slowly shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

Rafael then inquired, “Is there someone you have in your heart?” He scrutinized her closely, noting every subtle change in her expression.

She replied firmly, “No, there isn’t.”

“Any particular person you have feelings for?”

“None.”

Rafael understood he held no place in her heart, but hearing her admit she had no feelings for any man at all was like a sharp sting from a bee. It was a slight pain, but bearable, given that her indifference wasn't directed solely at him.

Seeing his expression momentarily pale before returning to normal, Carissa pondered for a while before asking, “Your Highness, are you here to help me resolve this issue?”

Rafael was silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on her. “I like you and wish to marry you. Will you agree?”

Crash! The cup in Carissa’s hand toppled over, shattering into pieces on the floor. She stared at Rafael in astonishment.

“Marshal, this isn’t a jest you should make!” Carissa quickly rose, shaking the water from her dress. Normally composed, she was now somewhat flustered.

Bonus:

“Although we’ve known each other since we were young, I went to Meadow Ridge when I was about seven. Even if you visit Meadow Ridge every year, I’ve never seen you…”

“Alright, fine. I’ll stop teasing you,” Rafael said with a reassuring smile as he picked up his cup again. “When I said I liked you, I was jesting. However, my intention to marry you is sincere. I’ve recovered the Southern Frontier, and the king wants to grant me a marriage. My sister-in-law showed me portraits of several young women, but none were to my liking. Then I happened to hear from my sister-in-law that the king has given you a three-month deadline to find a husband. If you don’t, you’ll have to enter the palace as a concubine.”

He picked up the cup to drink, but found it empty. Swallowing as if he were still drinking, he continued, “You don’t want to enter the palace, and I don’t want a wife forced onto me. Isn’t this a perfect coincidence? If we marry, it will solve our immediate problems. Should you later find someone you truly like, I will grant you a divorce.”

It sounded quite reasonable, but Carissa was puzzled. “If you didn’t like the women, why didn’t the queen and Lady Helene continue their search? Surely they can find someone suitable?”

Rafael’s fists tightened, his brows furrowing with a trace of unresolved sadness. He offered a faint, rueful smile. “There will be no suitable match. The woman I wish to marry is already married.”

Carissa sensed his helplessness from the faint smile of regret. She hadn’t expected someone as accomplished as him to be unable to be with his ideal partner.

Rafael’s voice softened. “Since my heart is already bound to her and I can no longer share it with anyone else, why should I marry another and ruin their lives?”

Carissa was touched. She hadn’t imagined that Rafael could be so deeply affectionate.

(The final "BUNDLE: get more free bonus" is marketing text and unrelated to the story, so it's omitted.)