Rafael stole a nce at Carissa, relieved to see she wasn''t angry. Turning away, he felt the urge to p himself for even worrying. It was clear that Trevor truly adored his granddaughter. Rosalind seemed to be Trevor''s youngest grandchild. As the baby of the family, it made sense she would be the most cherished.


    "Are you two in a hurry? Today, we "


    "Yes, we''re in a hurry! That girl is practically in tears!" Trevor rubbed his knees anxiously, eager for them to seek out Thomas immediately. "She may be stubborn, but if the Farrell family gives her an answer she believes, she''ll be able to let it go. She won''t cling to it forever."


    Mildred nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Right now, all they''ve said is that they don''t want to hold my granddaughter''s life up. Rosalind thinks they''re just making excuses. If they''re not interested, they should just say so. She''s the kind of person who needs honesty." Hearing this, Rafae''s heart sank. It was clear he wouldn''t be taking his wife to see the sunset at Richspire Peak today.


    He hid his disappointment, and said, "Alright then, I''ll send someone to invite Thomas here. Do you want to be present or not?"


    "We won''t be present. We''d prefer you and Lady Carissa to handle this privately. If I''m there, he might just stick to saying he doesn''t want to hold up our granddaughter," Trevor replied.


    Carissa stood to see them off. "Then I''ll see you both out."


    "No need for that," Mildred replied. "We''ll leave this matter to you and Prince Rafael. It would be best if you could get an answer after speaking to him, so we can all rest easy tonight. My husband hasn''t slept well for thest two nights."


    "Alright, I understand," Rafael reluctantly replied as Luke and Jacob guided the elderly couple out. He turned to Carissa with amenting look. "Looks like we won''t make it to Richspire Peak today."


    Carissa smiled sweetly. "You can go next time you have a day off."


    "The next time off I have, we''ll be picking up Ryan."


    "There''s plenty of time ahead. There''s no rush," Carissa reassured him, realizing she might not fully understand the nuances of romance. If their rtionship were based solely on mutual respect, she was more than capable of that. But if they wanted something deeper, she could learn. All she needed was time.


    Actually, back when he went to Sandoria to rescue the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team members, Violet had asked if she missed Rafael. Carissa wasn''t sure if she did. She had definitely thought about him, but more than that, she was worried about whether the rescue would go smoothly and if he would be in danger.


    Violet had told her that she had changed. In the past, she loved everyone, but now she was afraid of loving someone. Love meant caring, and caring meant worrying about loss. "Carissa, you''re not brave anymore. You could even say you''ve be cowardly," Violet had said.


    Rafael already sent someone to summon Thomas as Carissa mulled over these thoughts in her mind.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Meeting with Thomas didn''t require


    a change of clothes. The


    get


    streamlined riding outfit at least conveyed that he had used part of his day off for Thomas'' sake, and he hoped the man wouldn''t beat around the bushes-Rafael just needed a straightforward answer to ry.


    Carissa nced at Rafael and gave him a heads-up. "Thomas probably doesn''t really want to get married. He''s just letting it be known to dissuade Vi."


    Rafael replied, "That''s true, but he really should have a wife by his side. Life is much better with a spouse."


    "Everyone has different ideas about that. We can''t force him into it."


    Rafael nodded, his eyes suddenly taking on a pitiful look. "I didn''t mean anything by saying this wouldn''t be Thomas'' first marriage. I swear, I wasn''t trying to imply anything." Carissa smiled knowingly. "I understand. You were just stating facts. I''m sure Thomas won''t mind."


    Rafael studied her for a moment. "What about you? Do you mind me saying it?"


    "Why would I? It''s not like I-" Carissa began, then suddenly paused.


    Well, she wasn''t exactly a first-time bride, either. "As long as you don''t mind, then it''s fine. I have no reason to feel upset. I''m the one benefiting here."


    Rafael chuckled, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "I don''t mind at all if you''re benefiting."


    "What kind of wolfish words are


    these?" Violet eximed as she entered the room just in time to catch Rafael''s remark. She took a step back, looking mockingly rmed. "Should I leave?"