?


    Rafael''s smile faltered momentarily.


    Yes, Carissa viewed him and Salvador as brothers. But as long as she stayed out of the pce, Rafael could take


    his time to develop a rtionship with her. He saluted respectfully, and took his leave.


    Salvador cast a final nce at Rafael''s retreating figure. After a moment, he called out, "Derek!"


    "Yes, Your Majesty!" Derek hurried in through the doors, bowing deeply.


    Salvador instructed, "Deliver my edict. If Carissa does not find a suitable match within three months, she will enter the pce as a concubine."


    Derek lowered his gaze and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "Also, inform Rafael of my edict, but do not add any extramentary," Salvador added.


    Derek responded, "Understood, Your Majesty. I will attend to it immediately."


    "Go on then," Salvador calmly said as he lowered his gaze.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    No sooner had Derek left than a report came that Kylie had arrived.


    Having a good idea of why she was here, Salvador said, "Let her in."


    Kylie entered with her attendant, Lydia, who carried a tray with a bowl of soup on it.


    After a respectful bow, Kylie said gently, "I heard you had a bit too much to drink yesterday, so I personally made some soup for you today."


    Salvador nodded slightly. "Thank you, Kylie. Please serve it."


    Kylie carefully ced the tray on the table, and lifted the lid of the bowl. A fragrant steam wafted out. Shedled the soup into a small ss bowl. "Your Majesty, please enjoy the soup.


    Salvador looked at the ss bowl, which was only slightlyrger than a cup. Kylie had always favored these delicate items. He picked up the bowl without a spoon, and drank it all in one go.


    Setting the bowl down, he asked, "What did Carissa say?"


    Kylie signaled to Lydia to remove the bowl and tray, then seated herself beside Salvador. In a gentle tone, she replied, "I spoke with her, and she was quite surprised. She politely declined, but expressed that she would be willing to ept me as a godsister."


    Salvador nodded slightly. "I see. Thank you for letting me know."


    Kylie observed Salvador carefully. Though he showed no sign of displeasure, his gaze held a peculiar intensity, revealing that he was indeed concerned.


    After a pause, she ventured, "I believe Carissa''s suggestion is quite good. Since I have no younger sister from my own family, perhaps we could have my father adopt Carissa as his goddaughter..."


    Salvador looked up, his eyes as clear and piercing as ever. "What''s this? Just because you have no younger sister in your family, you want to adopt one? There are many women in the world. Why not choose someone else?"


    Hearing this, Kylie realized he had not given up on the idea of taking Carissa as a concubine, and smiled gently. "I proposed this because I have a genuine affection for her. If you disapprove, then please disregard my suggestion, Your Majesty."


    Salvador did not respond. He merely lowered his head, and continued reading through the documents.


    After waiting for a while and hearing no furtherments from him, Kylie stood up. "I shall not dy your work any longer, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."


    "Very well, you may go," Salvador replied, not even lifting his head.


    Kylie bowed and exited, her eyes betraying her disappointment.


    Salvador''s demeanor towards her was always so detached. In public, they maintained an air of mutual respect, but in private, he seemed to show no interest in her. He was often impatient, and unwilling even to look at her when they spoke.


    In the matters of the harem, she held the reins, and Salvador did not intervene. Even if disputes arose among the concubines, whether they were excessive or malicious, he would not get involved.


    Since marrying him, the only real task he had given her was to ask Carissa if she was willing to join the pce. It was clear Carissa held a special ce in his heart. He genuinely cared for her.


    Despite the many beautiful women in his harem, his heart remained unmoved. Yet he ced such importance on a woman who had left her previous marriage, valuing her to the point where even she, as queen, was rebuffed when suggesting Carissa as an adopted sister.


    Kylie''s mood soured further. Her own chances of conceiving were slim, and while she had a legitimate son, Salvador''s concubines also had children.


    With her family backing her, her position remained unshakable, but how much did it matter if Salvador did not favor her? Would he see her in a new light if she fulfilled his wish and brought Carissa into the pce?


    But if Carissa joined the harem and became his favored concubine, Kylie would be left in a most awkward position.


    The thought of this only deepened her frustration.