Melody of Strength novel

After Rafael left Evergreen Palace, he headed to Serenity Palace to pay respects to Victoria and seek her approval to marry Carissa,

Victoria was delighted.

“Child, you’re silently accomplishing great deeds! Just two months. ago, your mom was expressing her worries about your marriage to me. Who would have thought you’d meet Cari on the battlefield and instantly hit it off? Cari is a good girl. You need to treat her well and cherish her.”

“Mother, I will definitely treat her well,” Rafael assured. “However, it seems my mom doesn’t like Carissa much. She might summon Carissa to the palace in the next couple of days to give her a hard time.”

Victoria immediately understood that he was indirectly asking for her help. Her eyes softened with affection as she said kindly, “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, she won’t suffer anything.”

Rafael knelt, and solemnly thanked her. “I’ll leave everything to you, Mother.”

Victoria gazed at him, a flicker of complex emotions in her eyes. However, she quickly returned to normal. She asked him about the battlefield, if he had been injured, and if his wounds had healed.

Rafael answered all her questions. Victoria insisted on having the royal physician check his health and prescribe some medicine to help him recover. The royal pharmacy had plenty of nourishing supplements, and Rafael left the palace with an armful of them.

Sometimes, he wondered whose son he truly was. Helen never asked him about these things.

After the celebration feast, when he was drunk and sent to

Evergreen Palace, his mother only shook him excitedly. She said that reclaiming the Southern Frontier was an unparalleled achievement, and that they would be remembered in history.

She never asked if he had suffered or been injured. She only cared about the outcome, not the process.

Still, he didn’t resent Helen. She had always been like that—too focused on her feelings, and expecting everyone to revolve around her.

It couldn’t be said she didn’t love him. She did, but just enough to maintain a distant relationship between them. It didn’t make him resentful, but it also didn’t create much hope or expectation.

After Rafael left, Victoria lay on the chaise longue, closing her eyes to rest. She didn’t say anything for a long time.

The head palace maid, Michelle, stood by. Seeing that Victoria was silent and seemed to be asleep, Michelle tiptoed over and gently covered her with a thin blanket.

The weather was hot, but the palace hall blocked out the sunlight, making it easy to catch a chill while sleeping.

Victoria opened her eyes. “I’m not asleep, just lost in thought.”

“Are you worried about Prince Rafael and Lady Sinclair’s marriage, Your Majesty? You’ve known about it for a while. There’s no need to worry. Prince Rafael will surely treat Lady Sinclair well,” Michelle

said.

Victoria shook her head. “It’s not that I’m worried about.”

“Are you concerned that Lady Helen will mistreat Lady Sinclair?”

“I’ll make sure to warn her not to go too far.” Victoria sighed. “I’m just worried about the rift it might cause between the brothers. Salvador’s move is clearly aimed at the military power in Rafael’s

hands. How could Rafael not see that? Knowing this, how could he

have any opinion on it?

There’s no need to worry. Your Majesty Prince Rafael will

estand The king is reclaiming military power to prevent future troubles. Without the Hell Monarch Army, there will never be a day

of brotherly strife.” Michelle said.

“Savador knows his brother doesnt have such ambitions.”

“Your Majesty, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Besides because the king will feel guilty about taking away Prince Rafael’s litary power, he will surely treat him doubly well.

Victoria nodded slightly. “I don’t oppose his decision. When he informed me of it, I supported it in my heart. With the Sinclair Army backing Carissa and Rafael having the Hell Monarch Army, even if Salvador doesn’t doubt them, the court officials would see them as a

major threat. After all, a commoner with a treasure invites trouble.”

“Your Majesty sees things clearly. There’s nothing to worry about. The king and the prince have been close since childhood. Any estrangement will be temporary.”

Victoria sighed softly. “Yes. Without military power, holding a real position in the court can help them share the burden for theMaterial © of NôvelDrama.Org.

kingdom.”

However, Victoria’s brows remained furrowed. She had other

concerns.

No one knew a child better than their mother. She knew exactly what Salvador was thinking.

It was

surprising how things came full circle–Savaldor was just like his father. She could only hope that, just like his father, Salvador would always put his family and kingdom first.