NovelEnglishChapter 1286
After urging Thomas to return, Jacob sighed and said, "It's only natural for them to feel this way. They've given
their best years for the Southern Frontier. Now, just as they've seen a glimpse of peace, war threatens once
again. How could General Farrell bear to see it all undone?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Rafael, knowing that the prince was the one who could truly understand Thomas’
frustration.
Rafael remained silent for a long time, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said, "Keep a close watch. If there's
any news, report it immediately.
Jacob nodded. "Understood, Your Highness."
Rafael shifted the topic, asking, "What of Valken? With the city gates closed, has any news made it out? Is there
any progress? Have they begun to follow the plan?"
"No news yet, but | trust Mr. Moore. He's a capable man, one who can stir things up when necessary," Jacob
replied.
Rafael nodded. "If you trust him, then he has my trust as well."
Cole Moore was one of the deputy governors of Valken. When Rafael first learned of Yuvan's rebellion, he had
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtsent someone to make contact with Cole, who was quite cunning and talented in both civil and military affairs.
He had been the runner-up in the national examination during the 11th year of Sigmund's reign. However, over
the years, he had only reached the position of deputy governor because of his arrogance.
He was known for his poetry, much of which expressed cynical views of the world. Yuvan had seen this as
dissatisfaction with the court and had drawn him into his circle. For years, Cole had lived a solitary, secretive life,
abandoning any chance of promotion just to stay in Valken, quietly gathering evidence of Yuvan's treason.
But Yuvan had remained patient, his core military forces hidden from Cole's reach. No letters had been
exchanged, and Cole had been excluded from many of the critical meetings and left to handle the lesser affairs
for Saul.
Without evidence, Cole had held his peace. But when Rafael sent someone to find him, he gave up searching for
proof. Instead, he kept a watchful eye on their movements, quietly recruiting his own allies and waiting for
instructions from Rafael.
He was a sharp individual, and his advancement was naturally not an issue. Often, his success relied on
effectively utilizing the talents and efforts of the people working under him.
Having thoroughly vetted him before putting his faith in him, Jacob trusted Cole's abilities. Even when they had
previously investigated Valken's military strength, he deliberately chose not to involve Cole to ensure he
wouldn't be easily discovered and could maintain a low profile.
Carissa returned later than usual. She had spent her day working at the Capital Guard headquarters, then gone
to Gracewood Women's Academy to teach martial arts with Cynthia before making a final stop at Skye
Embroidery.
Although the situation was chaotic, Carissa remained determined to focus on her responsibilities, making sure to
do what was required of her.
When she returned to Orchid Hall, Qiana quickly approached and softly said, "Your Grace, His Highness has been
drinking alone for about an hour now."
Carissa glanced toward the inner room but didn't see anyone.
She asked, "Where is he drinking?"
"He's in the bedroom," Qiana replied.
Carissa nodded, then hurried inside.
It seemed Rafael had chosen the solitude of their bedroom, likely to avoid Jacob's notice. She lifted the curtain to
enter and was immediately hit by the sharp, overpowering scent of alcohol. He must have had quite a bit to
drink.
As she walked closer, she saw him sitting on the settee. There was no wine bottle in sight, but there was a large
jug resting nearby. His cheeks were slightly flushed, and he seemed about half-drunk.
When he saw her, he flashed a faint smile. "You're back?"
His voice carried a husky tone, and the soft light illuminated one side of his handsface, while the other half
was lost in shadow.
"You've drunk this much?" Carissa asked, reaching for the jug only to find it empty. "Is something bothering you?
Worried about the war?"
Rafael reached out, pulling her to sit beside him, then wrapped his arms around her waist. "I haven't had
a drink in so long. Tonight, | suddenly felt like getting drunk. There's always something bothering me, but | don't
let it weigh on my mind."
"Yes, we shouldn't let it weigh on our minds," Carissa said as she gently stroked his forehead.
She understood him well enough-he must have been hurt. With war on the horizon and Salvador still doubting
his loyalty, it wasn't easy. Her own mood wasn't much better. Scenes like this had likely played out before in the
past.
She remembered when her own father and brothers needed support on the battlefield, and Salvador had delayed
allowing Rafael to go to war. It wasn't until her father and brothers perished in battle that Rafael was allowed to
lead the Hell Monarch Army.
Because of suspicion and fear, many military generals and soldiers had already sacrificed their lives. Was that
going to happen again now?
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