Her Graceful War Song

Rafael took out the box of incense, broke the seal, and opened it, only to find a single incense bead inside, no larger than a peanut.

"Only one?" he murmured in surprise.

The box had seemed rather large, so he had expected it to hold several. But no, there was just one. He looked at the bottom of the case, where a few characters were faintly inscribed. Though the words were a bit blurry, his eyes were still sharp enough to make them out.

[Dreams of the Butterfly.]

Dreams of the Butterfly... Dreaming Butterfly? The name sounded rather mysterious.

Perhaps it truly could bring beautiful dreams, as the envoy had claimed.

On the lid of the box, there were several more lines, carved in tiny seal script, each letter no bigger than an ant. Rafael squinted, but couldn't make out what they said. He didn't trouble himself too much about it. After all, Nerathia and Starhaven had long been on friendly terms. It would hardly be something harmful.

Aside from the lines of script, there was also a strange pattern. At first glance, it looked like a simple ring, but it wasn't. It was made up of countless smaller circles, each one nestled within the next, forming one great spiral.

Circle within circle, going deeper and deeper. Rafael couldn't say how many there

were.

When the incense was finally lit, Carissa was already asleep.

Laying beside her, Rafael couldn't smell anything at all. Perhaps the incense had sat too long and lost its strength. But that was all right; he felt at peace simply staying by her side. Seeing her sleep soundly was enough to make his heart content.

Outside, the afternoon sun was warm and golden. The trees stretched their leafy arms wide, and little birds flitted here and there, chirping busily. It was a lovely, lively scene.

The gentle breeze stirred the clouds in the sky, sending them rolling and shifting like waves. They moved so swiftly, one could hardly tell what shape they had taken. And if someone were to look up just then, they might not even notice that the clouds at the edge were already scattering, vanishing without a trace.

Carissa woke from her nap with her head still a little dazed. She turned to look beside her, but the bed was empty.

"Raf?" she called softly.

At once, footsteps sounded. The curtain was drawn back, and a young girl's face appeared.

"You're awake, my lady!" the girl said cheerfully.

Carissa stared at her, confused for a moment.

These past two years, her memory had often failed her. Sometimes, she was clear-headed, while at other times, she wasn't. On her better days, she could recognise most people. At her worst, she remembered only Rafael.

Carissa could sometimes recognise Lulu too, though not always. But Lulu now had a face full of wrinkles, snow-white hair, and a stooped back. So, how was it that she now looked like a girl of fifteen or sixteen?

Lulu reached out and pulled back Carissa's covers. "My lady, why are you just staring? Get up quickly! Madam Melanie is waiting for you. The people from Valor Estate have come today to propose. Madam Melanie said you should go see them. If all is well, the match will be settled."

"What did you say?" Carissa asked, completely stunned.

She felt like she was clear-headed now, so why was Lulu acting strangely?

"It's General Barrett Warren from Valor Estate, the same man who came before. Madam Melanie thinks he is suitable. Didn't you say you wanted to meet him before deciding? Madam Melanie said... Oh, my lady, please slow down. Don't run!"

Set

But Carissa ran swiftly out, her mind confused but her heart beating wildly. She couldn't tell if she was clear-headed or still foggy. She knew only one thing: her mother was still alive, and the Sinclair family had not been wiped out.

"Aunt Carissa, why are you running so fast?"

Carissa stopped when she heard a young voice call out, only to see Ryan and Jareth Sinclair coming

toward her. Jareth was her oldomet

brother's son who had died in that terrible tragedy that almost wiped out their family. In Carissa's old memories, his face was already faint. noveldrama

She suddenly threw her arms around him, tears streaming down her cheeks. Jareth was now almost as tall as Carissa. Being held like that left him a little stunned, but he dared not move.

He wrapped his arms around her and said in a choked voice, "Aunt Carissa, were you thinking about Grandfather and Dad again?"

Carissa let go and blinked through her tears. The two faces before her were blurry, but gentle hands wiped her tears away softly, comforting her, telling her not

to cry.

Hearing their voices made everything feel more real. Carissa didn't care whether this was a dream or reality. She took their hands and hurried toward the main hall, desperate to see her mother.