Amidst the myriad of thoughts swirling in Rafael’s mind, one thing stood out under no circumstances could he allow Salvador to take
Carissa into the harem as a concubine.
Even if she wasn’t riding on the battlefield, a woman like Carissa shouldn’t be confined within the deep palace walls.
“Salvador, she can’t enter the palace. I won’t all it! She is under my command; you cannot just take her away without even asking her opinion,” Rafael argued.
“That’s not a valid reason,” Salvador countered.
“She has just come out of such a miserable marriage. At the very least, give her time to recover and rebuild her confidence in men. We should care for her feelings, not forcibly take her…”
Salvador looked at Rafael, his gaze hardening. “Do you fight wars like this? Letting the enemy recover? Caring for the enemy’s feelings?”
Rafael didn’t back down. “She’s not the enemy.”
His battlefield ferocity seemed to have returned as he stood before Salvador. He made no secret of his desire to protect Carissa.
“Besides, her family was tragically wiped out, and she has now made meritorious contributions to the country. Can you really bear to force her into the harem just because of some ridiculous concerns?” Salvador stared back. After a long silence, he sighed. “To be honest. with you, it’s not really about fearing her amassing power. That’s just an excuse. I genuinely like her and admire her. I want her as my concubine to keep her by my side.”
“Your harem isn’t lacking in beauties or those you admire. To imprison her for life just because of your affection is unfair to her.”
Salvador slammed his hand on the desk. “Rafael, whom I choose as my concubine is none of your business! Don’t think you can interfere in my harem affairs just because you’ve earned some military merit.” “I will interfere, and I will do so to the end!” Rafae houted back, his handsome face flushed with anger.
Salvador coldly declared, “I will issue the edict tomorrow!”
Rafael returned his glare. “Then I will stay in the palace. I won’t leave. I’ll beat up whoever dares to write that edict!”
Salvador glared back. “I’ll write it myself! Dare you to hit even me?”
Rafael raised his voice. “Derek! Send someone to my residence and tell Andy to pack some clothes. I’ll be staying here for the next few days. I’ll break Salvador’s pen if he tries to write the concubine edict!” Salvador looked at him in exasperation. “Aren’t you just being childish?”
*Carissa is under my command. If I don’t protect her, who will?” Rafael asserted.
“How do you know she doesn’t want to enter the palace?” Salvador retorted.
“And how do you know she does?”
The two brothers were locked in a fierce standoff.
Outside, Derek seemed accustomed to these disputes. He merely smiled and gestured for others to keep their distance.
In the end, Salvador relented. “Fine, go back to your residence. Your stench is making me sick. I promise to have the queen ask Carissa +15 BONUS
first. If she’s unwilling, I won’t force her. But if she agrees and you try to interfere, I’ll have you sent to guard the Southern Frontier.” Rafael finally sank into a chair, and stretched out his legs. “I’m not going back tonight. I’ll stay here and drink myself to sleep.”
His cheeks were flushed, and the combined effects of anger and alcohol made him dizzy.
Salvador was exasperated, but he couldn’t do anything about it. He called for someone to take Rafael to Helen Lancaster’s palace.
Helen was Rafael’s mother, and Victoria’s sister. Helen had planned to move to Rafael’s residence after the birth of the princess, by which time Rafael’s marriage should also have been arranged.
After Rafael was taken away, Salvador shook his head with a bitter smile. That brother of his was invincible on the battlefield, but utterly hopeless when it came to matters of the heart. He certainly didn’t behave like a valiant general in these situations.
“Clean this place up and burn some scented candles. That smelly rascal really stinks,” Salvador instructed Derek.
Once Derek had summoned people to clean the room, he asked, Will you be visiting the queen tonight, Your Majesty?”
“I’ll rest for a while first. Then I’ll go to the royal chapel. I need to share this good news with our ancestors.”
Salvador sat on his throne with his eyes closed. Despite his
composed demeanor, his heart was still surging with excitement.
The Southern Frontier had finally been reclaimed!
