Her Graceful War Song

"Huh?" Rafael was momentarily stunned, then his face lit up with joy.

punished by my master? You're worried about me?"

you worried about me getting

Of course, I'm worried about you. Haven't you ever fell the sting of Sage Everett's iron fists?" asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Not really," Rafael replied, thinking back to his days at the guild.

Carissa

Strictly speaking, he wasn't there for even a full month each year. It wasn't that he never got beaten, but that was a matter of pride. Even if he had been, he would never admit it. "Were you always that well-behaved?" Carissa asked curiously.

Even Kyle had been punished at the Pathfinders Guild. Was Rafael really more obedient than him? Rafael tilted his head, thinking for a moment. "Mainly, when I was at the Pathfinders Guild, none of you ever came to find me. So, I had nothing to do but train hard. My master was very pleased with r Carissa couldn't help but look at him with admiration. All of them, as junior apprentices, had been punished by Everett before. Yet, Everett's direct apprentice had never been punished?

No wonder Rafael's martial arts were so exceptional. He was simply outstanding.

me."

In her eyes, anyone who managed to avoid being beaten by Everett at the Pathfinders Guild was truly remarkable.

Seeing the admiration in her eyes, Rafael lifted his chin slightly, pride evident on his face. He didn't feel even the slightest bit guilty. Those rare occasions when he did get a beating were hardly worth mentioning -definitely not worth bringing up.

As they talked, they arrived at the entrance of Northwatch Estate.

Frederick stood at the gate with Holly and the household staff to welcome them, while Violet came running out with Bun, Cynthia, and Travis in tow.

Violet gleefully linked arms with Carissa. "We've been waiting for your return for so long! You need to have a word with Rod. He had the nerve to sneak back with us the night of your wedding, even though he was supposed to be part of your dowry!"

she was hel

Travis shot Violet a glare, annoyed that up a sore topic.

Carissa laughed and glanced at Travis. "That was just a joke. How could Rod possibly be part of my dowry?"

"Why not? His master doesn't want him anymore."

After saying that, Violet then leaned in to whisper in Carissa's ear, "He's hoping to secure a position in Hell Monarch Estate so he can send his monthly stipend back to Meadow Ridge." Carissa had already guessed as much. The Lunar Guild had been struggling in recent years, with only female apprentices and Travis, the sole boy.

Travis' master was an old-fashioned person who refused to let the female apprentices leave themountain fo make a living. They only grew some fruit and vegetables, but the yearly earnings were meager at best.

There were times when they didn't even have enough to eat and had to rely on donations from various guilds for food and other necessities. When things got really tough and they needed to buy something, they would borrow-and it continued for many years.

Carissa had heard from Adrian that when the Lunar Guild was first established, he was the one who called upon others to help build their home. Even the materials used to construct the buildings were borrowed.

Travis overheard Violet's words and cast a furtive glance at Carissa, too embarrassed to ask directly if he could stay.

Carissa asked, "What about your reward money?"

Travis awkwardly poked his fingers together. "Well, back when we were in the capital, I joined you all in shopping sprees. The leftover money was taken by my master to pay off debts, and we also bought a lot of grain and supplies for the New Year. There's not much left now."

In short, most of the money he got from his achievements on the battlefield had gone towards paying off

debts.

Carissa smiled. "Then, stay in the capital for now. I'll see if there's any suitable work for you later,"

Travis let out a sigh of relief, his face breaking into a cheerful grin. "Got it!"

Rafael, who was following behind, asked, "So, why didn't you stay in the army?"

"Marshal, if I joined the army, I'd be bound by military rules and regulations, which wouldn't give me the freedom I need. I have to return to Meadow Ridge a few times a year."

Travis still addressed Rafael as "Marshal".

Rafael had seen Travis' martial skills. He looked at the young man before him now, and a plan began to form in his mind, though he didn't rush to speak.

When they entered the main hall, Adrian and Everett were already waiting. The other guilds had departed the day after the wedding, so only the members of the Pathfinders Guild and a few others like Violet remained.

Carissa hadn't been bluffing when she warned Eleanor. Even if those people had already left the capital, she could still ruin Eleanor's reputation if she wanted to.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Ever since that miniature chastity belt sculpture incident, she and Eleanor had become sworn enemies.

There would be many more confrontations to come.

Carissa instructed Lulu to take Ryan to play for a while, telling them to come back later to pay respects to the elders.