Salvador examined the medal ofmand presented by Derek with an inscrutable expression.


    After a moment, he retrieved the other half of the Sinir Army''s medal ofmand, aligning it with the one Rafael had handed.


    The Hell Monarch Army''s medal ofmand was nowplete. Their father had given it to Rafael before, allowing him tomand the Hell Monarch Army indefinitely to defend the nation.


    Rafael didn''t have to surrender it.


    Salvador traced the edges of the Hell Monarch Army medal ofmand with his fingers, feeling a peculiar sensation from the. unfamiliar engravings.


    "Carissa agreed?" he asked, almost incredulously.


    "Yes, she has," Rafael replied with evident joy, as though he were still the naive younger brother he used to be. "Before I set out for the campaign, I went to propose to her. I never expected Mnie to marry her to Barrett. Even more unexpected, she has returned to met after all that happened."


    Rafael looked up, his smile radiating sweetness.


    "Naturally, I must thank you for your support. I know that your three-month deadline was to give me a chance."


    Salvador''s inscrutable demeanor softened, and he smiled warmly. " If I didn''t push you a little, would you have let her slip away again? I know your nature-having failed to propose before, you now n to cultivate your feelings slowly. But a woman''s youth can''t be wasted, and her family has a title to inherit."


    A hint of embarrassment shed on Rafael''s face. "I admit, I was


    hesitant."


    Salvador was silent for a moment, studying him. "Is Carissa truly that important to you?"


    "Your Majesty, I have admired her for a long time. You know this well," Rafael replied as he took a seat. "I had nned to wait until the matters of the rewards andpensations were settled, then surrender my militarymand and gradually develop a


    rtionship with her. However, with your edict, I fear she might be taken away."


    Salvador forced himself to smile.


    "Yes, this was also the intention of me and my mother. We wanted to nudge you into proposing. Otherwise, Carissa might have been married off to someone else. She''s highly sought after now. She has inherited the Sinir family''s military prowess with courage and strategy. She led a sessful siege on her first battlefield, and has done so twice, with formidable martial skills and the ability tomand troops. My foolish brother, you''ve found a treasure," he said.


    Rafael smiled warmly and happily. "Indeed, I have found a treasure. My admiration for her began when she was at Meadow Ridge. Her capabilities in battle and siege were never my concern." Salvador nodded. "Indeed!"


    It was true that Rafael had admired Carissa long before, without any ulterior motives. Salvador had made things moreplicated than


    necessary.


    Salvador smiled on the surface; deep down, however, he felt a pang of regret.


    He had previously thought that whatever choice his younger brother made, he would gain something from it. So, it didn''t matter which


    path Row chese But now that Rafel had chosen Carissa and


    reliquished he miltanmand without hesitation, there was an


    WRX his heart


    TOS Wnt deer in de 3icture, would Rafael have


    automatically surrendered his militarymand afterpleting The rewards andperstiors''


    UD 10H?ditious, and redaiming the Southern Frontier was part of that ambition. Whether there would be othe. ambitions as time


    Went On Was ncertain


    With the militarymand surrendered and no more concerns, the two brothers could continue to maintain a harmonious and respectful reletorship.


    As for Carisse


    Salvador recalled her calm demeanor when she hade to the pce seeking a divorce edict. She had been as serene and unaffected by the turmoil.


    The second time, she had entered the pce to discuss the Victory Pass battle and the Westhaven people masquerading as Sandoria soldiers in the Southern Frontier. Her face had been flushed red with urgency, and her eyes burning with anxiety.


    At the time, Salvador had doubted her sincerity, thinking she was merely meddling out of personal emotions.


    Now, looking back, it was clear personal matters held no sway over her. Her calm demeanor during the divorce request contrasted sharply with her genuine emotions when dealing with major military


    concerns.


    Salvador sighed inwardly. A woman like her was unforgettable, even if she had been married once.


    90


    For a fleeting moment, he had hoped Rafael would choose to retain his military power and disregard Carissa.


    But now... Perhaps it was fine this way.


    After a few moments of contemtion, Salvad looked up and asked, "Do you need me to grant you a marriage edict?"Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Rafael leaned back in his chair, looking as if he had shed a heavy burden, appearing carefree and rxed. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. A marriage edict is too formal. Carissa has been married once before, and I don''t want her to be in the spotlight."


    Salvador nodded slightly. "You should also consider how to exin this to your mother."


    Rafael''s gaze grew serious. "I will be straightforward with her."


    P