Chapter 732

Upon returning to the estate, Rafael found his wife still awake. Lulu was busy pressing Carissa's official uniform—the one for deputy commander of the Mystic Army. Although it was only a nominal title, they had made her an official uniform, never expecting she would actually wear it. The uniform, a black outfit inlaid with emerald beads, didn't include a ceremonial sword. If Carissa wore it, she could no longer dress casually.

Lulu was overjoyed. Barrett's belittling of Carissa, when he sought Aurora as his wife, was now a distant memory. Carissa was about to assume an official role. Even though it was a military position, she wouldn't be confined to the barracks. Lulu's pent-up frustration finally dissolved.

"How did it go? Did you interrogate anyone?" Carissa asked eagerly, approaching her husband.

Rafael glanced at her uniform and chuckled. "That's the deputy commander's uniform, but you're officially the commander now."

"It doesn't matter. I'll wear it for now," Carissa replied. "Tomorrow morning, I'll go to the palace and the Mystic Army barracks to take charge. Even as the army's former commander, you probably won't have time to be there."

Rafael wrapped his arms around her waist and grinned. "Whether I'm there or not doesn't matter. Since returning from the Southern Frontier, I haven't been involved with the Mystic Army. You handled Michael; you can handle everyone else. Or are you feeling anxious and need me there?"

"No, I'm not anxious at all." Carissa smoothed her husband's slightly tousled hair.

Seeing this, Lulu quickly took Pearl and left.

"You're not nervous facing battlefield enemies, so being a commander will come easily," Rafael said, kissing her forehead playfully. "Congratulations on becoming the kingdom's first female official since its founding."

Carissa tilted her head, a smile blooming. "Perhaps the king had a fleeting idea and will dismiss me in a few days."

Rafael shook his head. "Mr. Walker personally delivered the royal edict. Did he say anything?"

Carissa relayed Derek's words, then added, "Overthinking is pointless. The king will always suspect us, so we might as well do what's right without being overly cautious. I heard from Jacob that you've been holding back because of the Sinclair family and Ryan, but there's no need to—"

Rafael gently silenced her with a finger to her lips. "It's not just that. There are many other reasons. But if you enjoy this position, that puts me at ease. Just do your job. Hesitation will only make the king more suspicious. It's better to be proactive."

Chapter 732 (Continued)

Carissa smiled. "Yes, that's my plan."

Rafael took her hand and sat. "The Supreme Court is short-staffed. Tomorrow, I'll ask the king to borrow personnel from the Capital Guard, but I can't guarantee he'll allow us to work together on this treason case. If not, we might enlist the Royal Citadel's assistance."

"Right, ask him first. Once I'm appointed tomorrow, I'll take it from there," Carissa assured him. "You haven't told me—did you interrogate anyone?"

"A few. We spoke to Uncle Henry, but he didn't reveal much." Rafael recalled something. "I also interrogated a physician from Harmony Palace. He said Celeste seduced him and instructed him to tamper with Melanie Lester's medicine, intending to kill her. Should we tell Carmen?"

Carissa was startled. "Why would Celeste do that? That's her mother! Wasn't she under Grand Princess Eleanor's control because her mother was imprisoned? Was she trying to kill her mother for freedom? But that doesn't make sense. If she didn't care about her mother, why obey Grand Princess Eleanor?"

"I don't know her motives," Rafael replied. "But that's not the focus. I mentioned it because you and Violet are in contact with Carmen. With solid evidence, Celeste could be charged with matricide, and we'd need to apprehend her. But she's already fled."