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    Chapter 923


    Carissa tapped the rim of the bowl, her nails clinking against the ss. A soft, clear sound rang out.


    "Sometimes, not crying and not making a scene is actually more painful than the tears and noise," she murmured.


    "I figured that outter," Violet said, rising to her feet and wrapping her arms around her friend. "That''s why I''ll always be by your side, until you give me back that arrogant Carissa from Blue Stone Spring."


    Carissa pushed her away gently, quickly wiping away tears that had fallen.


    She smiled and asked, "Does it have to be the Carissa from Blue Stone Spring? What about the one who beat you under the apple tree? Or the one who beat you outside the Inferno Guild? Or the one who defeated you on the mountaintop...


    Violet ground her teeth in frustration. "Shut up already! It looks like you haven''t had enough of my life''s bitter, sour, sweet, and salty. How about I bring you a whole pot of it and see if I can numb your tongue?"


    She put her hands on Carissa''s shoulders. "You''re really getting on my nerves."


    Carissa wiped her tears on Violet''s sleeve, but then suddenly threw her arms around her friend tightly, her shoulders trembling. She clung to Vialet for a long time, her shoulders shaking without stopping.


    Violet''s face was wet with tears, but she said nothing. It was just like when they were younger. After the sparring match, Carissa hadughed at her for crying, only to hold her again afterward.


    After what felt like forever, Carissa pulled back, choking on her words, "Thank you."


    Violet handed her a handkerchief. "Don''t wipe your tears and nose on my clothes. Use your handkerchief."


    Carissa took the unsightly handkerchief in her hand, still crying andughing at the same time.


    "Is this the one I gave youst time? You still carry it around?''


    Violet sat back down, her nose stuffy. "No. The one you gave me was thrown away long ago. This one is from your estate. I got it from Lulu."


    Carissa wiped her tears away, her eyes swollen and red. "Why would you take those? There are plenty of pretty handkerchiefs at your house."


    Violet sniffed dismissively. "Only these can prove that you''re weaker than me."


    Carissa couldn''t help it anymore-she burst intoughter.


    Outside, Travis was leaning against the wall when he heard herugh. Slowly, he slid down until he was sitting on the ground. Hugging his knees tightly, he pressed his face into them, quietly wiping away his tears.


    Lately, even though no one mentioned the Sinir family massacre during their discussions, everyone knew it was an unspoken shadow hanging over them. With the arrival of the Westhaven envoy, the case was bound to resurface. Tonight''s visit to Sullivan Estate was the beginning of that conversation.


    He was worried about Carissa. After she and Rafael left tonight, Travis'' heart hadn''t calmed down. When he followed Jacob to revisit the events, what Carissa had casually brushed off with a simple sentence, saying that her family was dead, had unraveled into something far more harrowing. Scene by scene, the tragedy came to life before his eyes.


    He had never been able to imagine how Carissa had endured it all. Now, it seemed even harder toprehend.


    Travis had no parents, but he had his mentor and guild members who were strict yet loved him deeply. If they were all brutally killed, he would go mad. He wouldn''t care about the so-called "greater good". When he saw his enemies, he would do whatever it took to take revenge, even if it cost him his life.


    However, he understood why Carissa could endure it. Her grandfather and uncles were all loyal generals, cing the kingdom before their family, and she was proud of that. Yet, it also bound her, preventing her from seeking


    revenge the way she once could.


    Travis sat there for a while, listening to the teasing between them inside, before he saw Kyle outside. He quickly stood up and walked over, hushing the other man with a finger to his lips.


    "They''re just chatting."


    "Did she cry?" Kyle asked softly.


    "Vivi calmed her down. Now, they''re just talking."


    Kyle sighed. "It''s fortunate she has Violet by her side. Sometimes, it''s the girls who understand how tofort each other. Us big guys, we can''t do it with that much delicacy."


    Travis nodded. "You''re right. Let''s head to the study. Prince Rafael and Jacob are probably discussing matters and nning the next move."This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    The first step was to ensure Dominic wasn''t detained at the Ministry of Justice. That battle had already been won.