If war broke out, Carissa was determined to fight. However, her grandfather had forbidden it, so she needed an alternative plan.First, she had to join the army as a soldier. Though she was already training as a recruit, Otis had his eye on her and made it clear she would be sent away once training ended. As she wasn't officially enlisted, she wasn't considered a real soldier and couldn't set foot on the battlefield.She and Travis discussed it quietly. They agreed that he should remain at the army camp for now, while she would leave and find a way back in under a different identity. Once she succeeded, they would meet again.After staying at the army camp for a few days, Carissa announced she would return to the capital. Though the Sullivan family hated to part with her, the coming war made it too dangerous for her to stay.Dominic had Wade escort her and Lulu out of Victory Pass. Meanwhile, Travis said he wished to stay and make a career in the army, which Dominic readily approve
Carissa and Travis had been training with the soldiers for several days now. Travis was quite taken with it, especially the offensive battle formations, which he thought were clever and oddly fun.But for Carissa, these maneuvers were second nature. They were things so deeply ingrained that they felt like part of her bones. She could see the weaknesses in the drills and even offered suggestions.Otis was the only one who knew her true identity, and he was initially suspicious when she approached him with her ideas. He thought she was simply trying to stand out, perhaps making trouble for the sake of attention.He listened to her, albeit with impatience, as she explained a few improvements to the formation. But as she spoke, his eyes lit up.By the end of it, he raised his thumb in admiration and exclaimed, "Truly, like father, like daughter! You are indeed worthy of being General Hector's child."When she first heard those words, Carissa felt a little dazed.It had been years sin
At once, the family summoned all the generals to hold council, and scouts were sent out again to gather firmer intelligence. Additionally, a fast rider was dispatched back to the capital to request reinforcements.Cindy took care to see Carissa settled properly, and the two sat together for a long while, speaking in low voices.Cindy did her best to comfort her niece, urging her not to dwell in sorrow and to look ahead instead. Yet even as she spoke kindly, she turned her head away more than once to quietly wipe away her tears.Carissa leaned against her aunt, thinking how fortunate she was to have a second chance. This time, so much might still be saved.The following morning, Dominic issued new orders. All soldiers were to return to their posts immediately, and training was resumed in full. The walls were to be reinforced, and traps were to be laid within the outer fortress.Carissa took this chance to speak to her grandfather. She requested permission for both herself and Travi
As Carissa and Melanie were leaving, Victoria sent Keith to escort them out of Serenity Palace.Carissa took the opportunity to slip him a letter. "Would you be so kind as to pass this along to Her Majesty?"Keith blinked in surprise. "Why did you not hand it to Her Majesty herself just now, Lady Sinclair?"Supporting her mother gently, Carissa replied, "It's merely a note of thanks. I'm not good with words, so I thought it best to write it down."Keith chuckled. "I see. Very well. I shall see it delivered."That very afternoon, Carissa set out for Victory Pass, taking Travis and Lulu along with her. Before departing, she also sent letters to Violet, Bun, and Cynthia, asking them to travel to Victory Pass as well. They all had to arrive before the city's defenses were tested by war.As for the letter to Victoria, it held no words of gratitude at all.Instead, Carissa wrote to inform the queen dowager that Winona, who had long wandered abroad, had returned with troubling news. We
Before leaving for Victory Pass, Carissa wanted to visit Victoria. She had long hoped for the chance to enter the palace to see the queen dowager, and perhaps catch a glimpse of Helen, or even Salvador.In their past life, Victoria and Helen had passed on after living long lives. Even so, their deaths still grieved Carissa deeply. She had mourned for quite some time and thought it was a farewell for eternity.Never had she imagined she would get to see them again.As an unmarried young lady, Carissa could not enter the palace alone. Proper etiquette required her mother to accompany her and present a formal request for an audience. Once Victoria granted it, they were permitted to visit.Since the loss of her husband and sons, Melanie had not stepped beyond the gates of Northwatch Estate. Now, Carissa hoped a short outing might lift her mother's spirits. Additionally, a meeting with Victoria might offer some comfort and possibly aid in her recovery.Melanie didn't want to go at firs
Yes, Carissa had to go to Victory Pass. She had to stop Aurora from slaughtering the villagers and murdering Arthur, the crown prince of Orivenia—now still known as Westhaven.Carissa had to do this for her kingdom and her family.After Arthur killed himself because he couldn't stand the humiliation he had suffered, Westhaven's spies hidden in Starhaven's capital retaliated by annihilating Carissa's entire family.Though she had formed a bodyguard team to keep her loved ones safe and avoid further trouble, she had to strike at the source to truly prevent the tragedy.The border skirmishes between the two kingdoms were likely to escalate into war. This conflict had been carefully plotted by Leroy's faction within Westhaven, and Carissa couldn't change their decisions. But since war was inevitable, she would find a way to alter its course.Back in her previous life, her seventh uncle had died defending the city. If she could change things this time, perhaps she might save him. And p