Rafael had secluded himself, refusing visitors for several days. During this time, many would-be guests hade knocking. However, he was unwilling to see any of them. When he left the pce, he put aside his usual cheerful demeanor with his elder brother.


    Rafael understood the meaning behind the royal edict


    The order was clear: Carissa must marry within three months, or she would have to enter the pce as a concubine. Salvador was forcing him to make a choice.


    The jests and scoldings exchanged in the pce''s study weren''t just idle chatter; each word carried hidden intentions.


    Whether Carissa entered the pce was of no real concern to Salvador. It was a matter of showcasing his power-whether to allow her to remain free or to summon her to the pce was just a matter of issuing an edict.


    Years earlier, Salvador had known of Rafael''s feelings for Carissa. Before Rafael headed to the Southern Frontier battlefield, he had approached Mnie, asking her to dy Carissa''s marriage. He promised to present the victory in the Southern Frontier as a dowry.


    Salvador was aware of this promise. Now that the conflict in the Southern Frontier was over, Salvador expected him to marry Carissa.


    The facade of brotherly affection and respect was clear, at least on the surface. However, a crucial remark made in the pce''s study held a deeper meaning.


    It was suggested that Carissa''s marriage to any noble family could pose a threat to the kingdom''s military power.


    That statement was aimed directly at Rafael. If he wished to marry Carissa, he would need to relinquish his militarymand,


    surrender the Hell Monarch Army, and cease to be itsmander.


    Salvador had always been wary of him. When the situation in the Southern Frontier became dire, Salvador hesitated to send him and the Hell Monarch Army to support the region. Salvador hoped Hector would be able to recapture the Southern Frontier as he had before, and resist Sandoria''s resurgence..


    However, the war had dragged on for a long time. The kingdom was left in a state of emptiness-food, weapons, and warm clothing were all in short supply. Despite their best efforts, Hector and his forces. had been unable to hold out much longer without reinforcements.


    It was only after Hector and his sons had sacrificed their lives that Salvador agreed to deploy Rafael and the Hell Monarch Army to the Southern Frontier battlefield, takingmand of all the military. forces there.


    Could Salvador not be wary of him?This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    The Hell Monarch Army was Rafael''s own creation. Before their father passed away, he had been granted the medal ofmand for the Hell Monarch Army, an honor that could never be revoked.


    Now, the Mystic Army was made up of soldiers from the Hell Monarch Army, and some soldiers Hector had trained.


    Though Rafael held the title ofmander, the king could still mobilize them, which was a concession he made to the king.


    Since childhood, Salvador had treated him well. The position of crown prince was decided early on, without any dissent. Salvador was indeed an exceptional heir apparent-he was well-versed in both civil and military matters, had been on the battlefield, and had received meticulous guidance from the royal chancellor.


    However, being the crown prince was vastly different from being the king. While Salvador''s outward attitude remained unchanged and he showed Rafael continued affection/the underlying wariness had dent for the past three or four years.


    "Your Highness, have some tea and take a break, the steward Luke said, entering the study with a servant carrying a pot.


    Rafael nodded slightly. "Set it down Where''s Jacob now?"


    Luke replied, "Mr. York and Deputy Ziegler have gone to the military camp. The king is rewarding the troops, and they are assisting the Ministry of Defense with their duties and helping to handle thepensation for the fallen soldiers."


    Luke had the pot and cups set down and dismissed the servant,


    leaving only himself to attend to Rafael.


    Rafael was dressed in white, and his dark hair was tied back. His eyes still carried the fierce aura of someone who had recently returned from the battlefield. The killing intent embedded in his bones had not yet faded.


    Yet his brow was furrowed, showing clear distress.


    He didn''t avoid discussing matters with his trusted aides, so Luke was also aware of the royal edict and knew of Rafael''s earlier proposal to Mnie regarding Carissa.


    "Have you made any decisions, Your Highness?" Luke asked softly.


    Rafael replied with a hint of bitterness, "There''s nothing to consider. The war is over, and I was expected to relinquish my militarymand anyway. Still, my brother''s approach is unsettling." Rafael had no ambitions for the throne, but holding significant military power always made Salvador uneasy.


    Relinquishingmand of the Hell Monarch Army and the medal ofmand bestowed by their father could be aplished with just one word from him. There was no need for such a method. It left Rafael feeling as if he had a lump in his throat. He was unable to speak or swallow, and he felt deeply upset for Carissa.