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    For the next two or three days, Carissa didn''t have time to entertain guests. There was still much to handle with the Mystic Army, and she couldn''t leave everything to others. Plus, she had to head back to the Capital Guard headquarters soon.


    Meanwhile, Rafael and Jacob were inspecting the site for the women''s academy. There was a lot of repair work to be done, along with expansion ns, and the cold weather didn''t help. Progress had slowed as they approached the New Year, but fortunately, the funds were in ce, so things could move forward smoothly now.


    On the eighth day of January, Barrett submitted a formal application for mourning due to his mom''s passing. He first presented it to his superior, Carissa, who then passed it on to the king.


    Salvador took a quick nce at the application and asked, "What do you think?"


    Carissa paused, wondering what the king meant.


    "I''m sorry, Your Majesty, but I''m not sure what you''re asking."


    ''Military generals don''t observe mourning. There''s aw for that," Salvador replied.


    Carissa understood the reference, but thatw applied to military generals stationed on the front lines, not to military officers like Barrett, who was based in the capital. But based on Salvador''s words, it seemed like he wasn''t inclined to allow Barrett to mourn.


    ''Everything is up to you, Your Majesty, Carissa answered, not wanting to say much more.


    If she suggested Barrett shouldn''t observe mourning, it would imply he wasn''t fulfilling his duty to his mother. But if she said he should be allowed to mourn...


    Well, the king had already spoken on it. What else could she say?


    Seeing how decisively she had answered, Salvador couldn''t help but smile. "We''ll set it aside for now. He''s still in special training anyway. Whether or not he observes mourning can be decidedter."


    ''Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now."


    "Commander Sinir, Salvador called after her, gesturing for her to sit. "There are a few things I want to ask you." Since he addressed her by title, it meant this was a conversation between the monarch and a court official. Carissa bowed her head in acknowledgment, then walked over to take a seat. "Your Majesty, please go ahead." ''The Mystic Army currently has the Garrison Unit, the Royal Guard, and the Capital Guard. Not to mention, the Garrison Unit alone is filled with idle noble offspring, just passing their time. Not only are they ipetent, but many are troublemakers. Managing these people must be very difficult for you," said the king.


    The statement was indirect, but Carissa could read between the lines.


    He mentioned the Garrison Unit, the Royal Guard, and the Capital Guard, but deliberately avoided mentioning the Crown Guard.


    Carissa did as he wished, responding in a way that would please him. If he wanted her to say something, she would do it.


    "Your Majesty is wise, I admit, I do feel somewhat overwhelmed."


    Salvador''s expression softened slightly. "I understand your difficulty. After all, this is your first time holding such an important position. I also wish to lighten your burden. Tell me, what do you think would make your duties easier?"


    Carissa could tell what he was trying to do. Salvador wanted to separate the Crown Guard from the Mystic Army, but didn''t want to say it outright. He was leaving it to her to bring it up, as if testing her.


    After all, he was the king.


    Carissa pretended to think for a moment, adopting an expression as if trying to guess his thoughts. She couldn''t just say it outright-that would be the same as telling Salvador they already knew he intended to separate the Crown Guard from the Mystic Army.


    "Perhaps the Royal Guard..." she began, watching the king closely as she spoke.


    Continuing to look at her intently, his expression didn''t change.


    "Oh, or perhaps the Crown Guard..."


    A faint smile tugged at Salvador''s lips and his gaze softened considerably. Carissa felt a slight sense of relief, as though she had guessed correctly.N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    "I believe it would be best to separate the Crown Guard and ce it under its own leadership. That way, the burden on me would be significantly lessened," she suggested.


    Salvador furrowed his brow in thought. "Since you put it that way, I see no reason not to be understanding. You''ve worked hard, so endure a bit longer. After the New Year, I will issue an edict to remove the Crown Guard from the Mystic Army. I believe all the court officials will understand. After all, you are a woman, so it''s only natural that there are some limitations."


    Carissa seemed to rx, and she stood to express her gratitude.


    Look at that.


    If Rafael were still themander of the Mystic Army, no one would question his abilities. No one would doubt


    him.


    But when it came to her, it was different. She was a woman, and managing the Garrison Unit, the Capital Guard, and the Royal Guard was already a difficult task. Taking the Crown Guard out of the equation was a logical solution.


    That way, if anyone thought shecked the ability, the king would still gain a reputation for showingpassion toward a female official.