Carissa knew Violet was favored, but she also felt there was more to it.


    The Spencer family was a prominent and powerful n in Ebonflow, known as royal merchants with many other businesses.


    In Starhaven, everyone knew about the Spencer family. They were the wealthiest merchants in the kingdom, and their riches were said to rival a country''s wealth.


    Yet, with great wealth came great risks, particrly since they supplied the court with warhorses, armor, and weapons. The Ministry of Defense had its eyes on them, and at least half of the king''s attention was also focused on the Spencer family. Currently, the head of the Spencer family was Violet''s grandfather. However, the real powery with her father, given her grandfather''s advanced age and inability to handle so many affairs.


    "What about your marriage? Have you given it any thought?" Carissa asked.


    Violet repliedzily, "No, I haven''t thought about it. The people they suggest are either too high or too low in status for me. Why bother getting married? It''s more carefree not to. I can go wherever I want and do whatever I wish without being tied down." Carissa reflected on Violet''s personality. Thetter had always been ustomed to freedom and the vastness of the world. To confine her to domestic chores would be cruel.


    The Spencer family was a major n, and Violet couldn''t marry someone from a small or simple family. But if she joined arger family, all the people and responsibilities would be really overwhelming for her.


    Violet continued, "There are several women in my family who remain unmarried. There''s no pressure. With my family''s wealth, they can afford to support me. Also, once my master retires, I''ll manage the Inferno Guild. Isn''t running a guild better than getting married?" Carissa looked at Violet''s carefree and calm demeanor, recalling that she had once shared the same attitude. They had both talked about not getting married in the past.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Now, Violet was resolute in her decision not to marry, while Carissa had been married twice.


    Thinking of this, Violet couldn''t help but sneer, "Also, those things you said were just empty words. You said we''d both avoid marriage, but you''ve married twice."


    Carissa replied, "You should take that up with Rafael."


    Violet shivered at the thought. Having once been under Rafael''smand, she had always felt a subtle but undeniable pressure from him, no matter how approachable he appeared.


    Violet admired Carissa. Carissa was able to stand before Rafael without feeling the pressure of his orders during battle.


    The return journey to the capital was rtively swift, at least faster than their initial journey.


    Lawrence leaned against the carriage, while Ka rested against him inside. It seemed they were giving each other strength-one no longer felt nauseous, and the other was no longer in pain. Meanwhile, the others could only think of one thing-they were eager to get home.


    Before setting off, Rafael had arranged for the ry station staff to send a message ahead to the capital, informing them of their approximate return date. He


    anticipated a weing cerepel


    and a grand affair from the Ministry of Protocol, especially with the two sons of the Minister of Protocol returning.


    Naturally, every ry station they passed sent a message to the capital.


    The group of tanned-faced men had spent some time recuperating at the ry station at Westde and had be somewhat fairer. As they traveled under the ring sun, their faces were coated with a


    Ov


    reddish-ck tint.


    Rafael was no exception.


    Despite their sunburned appearance, they no longer lived in fear. They didn''t have to hide or painstakingly send messages. They had gained some weight, and their lean bodies now looked stronger. Their once-skinny faces had filled out a little, and with happiness in their hearts and no more worries, they truly looked different from before.


    As Violet put it, their features were well-defined now, and their overall look was much improved.


    Though Violet and Carissa weren''t in the carriage, they wore veiled hats to shield their faces from the sun. So, only their hands gripping the reins were tanned, while their faces remainedrgely unaffected. Standing together now, with Carissa''s fairplexion beside him, Rafael''s face looked like a somewhat handsome ckened egg.


    Carissa teased him, "Your name certainly wasn''t chosen in vain. I know it means ''ck as ink'', and your skin tone has really be as ck as ink."


    Rafael shrugged off concerns about his appearance. "I''m already spoken for, so a little ugliness doesn''t matter."


    His gaze became more intense because of Carissa''s words that she missed him. Now, he no longer hid his feelings and always looked for ways to spend time alone with her.