Chapter 268

Carissa looked up, her lashes wet with tears.

“In any case, I will always remember this kindness. No matter what you ask of me in the future, as long as it doesn’t go against my conscience, I will do it for you.”

Rafael’s expression turned serious. “I don’t need you to do anything for me. If there’s one thing I ask, it’s that you live well. Live happily, live a life full of joy. That’s how you can honor your family’s spirits in heaven.”

Her heart trembled slightly, and a single tear slid down her cheek. Her tearful eyes were filled with confusion. “Why are you so good to me?”

Rafael felt his heart breaking at the sight of her. He recalled her fierce and determined figure on the battlefield, yet now, she was so delicate and vulnerable. He couldn’t hide the tenderness in his eyes and turned his face away.

“Why wouldn’t I treat you well? You’re my betrothed, after all. We’re going to spend our lives together.”

Carissa should have been moved, but she had heard similar words before. The memory was unpleasant, and she didn’t know why it surfaced now. She said, in an unusually soft tone, “I’ve heard those words before, but we all know what happened in the end.”

She didn’t understand why she was speaking like this—it was so disheartening. She wasn’t usually so emotional, but recently, in front of him, she felt incredibly emotional.

Had a fox spirit possessed her? She was acting like a wretched woman.

Rafael’s gaze sharpened. “Don’t compare me to him. With me, there’s only ‘till death do us part.’ There will be no divorce, and certainly no abandonment. I swear it. If you don’t believe me, I’ll spend a lifetime proving it.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Till death?”

He met her gaze with his clear, bright eyes. “I’ll go before you if I can help it. That way, you won’t have to take care of an old man plagued with aches and pains.”

Carissa couldn’t help but burst out laughing. She couldn’t picture him old, but she imagined he might look something like the late king. Then again, the late king hadn’t been that old when he passed.

Sniffling, she felt even more emotional. “I’ll remember everything you’ve said. If you ever go back on your words, this guild senior of yours won’t forgive you.”

Rafael let out a soft groan. “Are you really hoping I’ll go before you?”

Carissa thought for a moment. “Well then, how about we go together?”

He thought for a moment. “Deal.”

Lulu had been listening to their conversation. Their words initially moved her, but the more she listened, the more uneasy she felt.

She couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, my lady, why are you talking about such ominous things? Life and death and all that… Are you two planning to follow each other to the grave?”

At Lulu’s words, the two exchanged a glance. Carissa’s cheeks flushed, and she shot Lulu a glare.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Rafael slowly sipped his coffee, using it to hide the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Follow each other to the grave? Of course, that was the plan. They would be husband and wife—their lives would be intertwined and never be separated again, whether in life or in death.

That had been his dream before he went to the Southern Frontier and asked for her hand in marriage. He’d envisioned swiftly conquering the Southern Frontier and returning to the capital to marry the girl he adored.

On the battlefield of the Southern Frontier, he had truly fought with everything he had. He had won victory after victory, driven by the single thought of expelling the Sandoria people from the Southern Frontier as quickly as possible.

But then, after conquering thirteen cities, news arrived from the capital that Carissa had already married Barrett.

When Rafael heard the news, he felt like a cold bucket of water had been thrown over him. It froze him from head to toe and pierced his heart with a cold, unshakable pain.

He couldn’t understand it. Melanie had clearly agreed, saying that Carissa would be his bride once he returned victorious.

Why had Melanie gone back on her word? Did she not hear about his continuous victories?

At that time, Rafael had already regarded Hector as his future father-in-law and was determined to complete the unfinished business that Hector had left behind.

But why? The thought of that bright, lively girl marrying someone else had felt like a knife twisting in his heart. For a time, the pain was almost unbearable.

But the war was urgent, leaving him little time to dwell on his sorrow. Every day, Rafael told himself to let it go. Carissa was married now, and he should just wish her happiness. Though it was excruciatingly difficult, her happiness mattered more than anything else.