When fate plays its hand

The following evening, Rafael and Carissa arrived at Sullivan Estate.

From the outside, it was clear that the Griffinblade Unit wasn’t slacking off. The plaque had been rehung, the front gate cleaned, and every copper nail on the door had been carefully polished to a shine. 1

During the day, common people had come to offer their respects, bringing simple gifts–fruits, vegetables, and meat. The people’s affections were the purest. They couldn’t do much else, but they gave what they could. Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

Barrett stood at the gate, looking a bit out of place. He couldn’t bring himself to come during the day, so he had taken to standing guard at night. He was gathering the courage to go in and apologize. Despite trying to work up the nerve, he couldn’t bring himself to open the door.

When Rafael and Carissa arrived, Barrett instinctively stepped back and hid from view.

It was a reflex, driven by the sharp insults he had been receiving from the townsfolk. He even had rotten vegetable leaves thrown at him when walking down the street. He understood now–his glory at Victory Pass was being repaid by the people’s anger, and their bitterness was coming back to haunt him.

Still, he bore the abuse stoically. At least now, he didn’t have to explain himself to his mom or face her wrath. He would take what he deserved, and after that, things would pass.

Rafael and Carissa came out of the carriage hand in hand. As Barrett’s gaze fell on their intertwined fingers, a strange, unspoken feeling surged within him.

Carissa wore a gown of dark cloud–patterned satin, embroidered with large flowers. Her cloak was black on the outside, red on the inside, fluttering in the night wind.

* The last few times Barret saw her, she had been in her official uniform and exuded authority. Now, in her female

attire, she seemed even more stunning. Her delicate eyes were tinged with a reddish glow from her makeup, captivating anyone who looked at her.

Barrett quickly averted his gaze, hoping the dim light at the gate would shield him from their sight. He didn’t want them to see him standing there. He didn’t even dare look at Rafael, not wanting to face how perfectly matched they were, how harmonious they seemed together

He acted as though he hadn’t seen them and kept his eyes lowered. Naturally, Rafael and Carissa paid him no mind. The Griffinblade Unit guard opened the door, and the two of them entered.

Having been informed in advance that they would be coming, Dominic had waited in the main hall after finishing dinner. Finally, he heard the sound of footsteps. He looked up and saw them enter, hand in hand, their figures illuminated by the soft glow of the lanterns.

Seeing this, Dominic’s heart settled at once. He didn’t care if they were supposedly a match made in heaven. What mattered to him most was whether Rafael truly loved Carissa.

Back at Victory Pass, their letters had mostly concerned matters of Fawnrun City, with only passing mentions of other things. Dominic had heard that Rafael treated Carissa very well, and had witnessed this himself when he saw them together at the city gates yesterday.

Now, seeing them walk hand in hand, with that familiar, protective tenderness Rafael showed so openly, Dominic knew the prince’s feelings for Carissa were genuine.

The two of them stood before Dominic and bowed deeply.

Carissa called out “Grandpa” with a catch in her voice, her words faltering as she struggled to hold back her tears. She kept her head lowered, trying to control her emotions, not wanting her grandfather to see her in such a fragile

state.

At this moment, weakness would do nothing for her grandfather.

Dominic knew she was crying–he could see her shoulders trembling ever since she had bowed. Carissa had truly grown up. She could now stand on a battlefield and no longer easily displayed her emotions.

But why did it hurt so much inside?

Dominic and Hector had chosen Carissa’s name together. Melanie had given birth to six sons, all of them remarkable in their own right. When they were blessed with a darling daughter, they cherished her with all their hearts, and that was reflected in her name. 1

As their only daughter, they showered Carissa with love and affection, allowing her to grow up pampered and adored. Whatever she wanted to do, they let her–so long as she lived joyfully, freely.

After all, it wasn’t difficult for both the Sinclair and Sullivan families to protect the little darling.

From the moment Carissa was born, her future seemed set. With the love and care from both families, she would grow up surrounded by affection, with a joyful and carefree childhood—like a wildflower blooming in the mountains, returning to the pure, untainted essence of life!

Yet, that happiness was so fleeting. She hadn’t even fully blossomed yet, and she had already faced the harshest reality of life—the unbearable separation of life and death. She was forced to grow up too soon.