Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1022

Rafael chuckled. "Uncle Yuvan, how could you think I'd be upset with you? Unless, of course, you've done something to wrong me?"

Yuvan laughed heartily, waving a hand dismissively in front of Rafael. "Of course not!"

He was the first to stride over to his seat, sweeping his cloak aside as he sat down with an air of authority. "Please, sit. No need to stand on ceremony."

He was dressed in a finely embroidered surcoat of rich brocade, featuring a golden thread pattern of soaring cranes. A faint touch of color stained his lips, giving them a subtle red hue, and his face radiated with a confident smile.

Violet glanced at him, unable to shake the impression that he resembled a peacock spreading its feathers.

Once everyone was seated, Wayne entered with Randall and Lucian. The two brothers had been genuinely happy to see Carissa and Rafael earlier, but now there was a noticeable awkwardness in the air. After greeting them, they sat down, their expressions stiff and uncomfortable. They even avoided making eye contact with Rafael.

Knowing he was Yuvan's strategist, Rafael studied Wayne for a moment. Though he wasn't sure why, it seemed as if there had been some kind of disagreement between them. And from the looks of it, it wasn't a trivial matter. Both men had the telltale signs of lingering anger—an anger that would surely turn into bitterness. Martial artists, of all people, could sense these things.

His gaze shifted back to Yuvan's face, and he asked with a smile, "Uncle Yuvan, you suddenly invited us to your estate. Is there some happy news you're celebrating?"

Yuvan had been simmering with frustration, and he wasn't about to mention that he hadn't invited Rafael at all.

He cast a brief glance at Molly before forcing a smile. "As I mentioned earlier, I've visited your estate several times, but you've always been unavailable. So, I thought I'd extend the invitation to you and your wife. After all, we're family, and we should make the effort to keep in touch."

Rafael couldn't help but find the situation amusing. He wasn't just unavailable—he had flat-out shut Yuvan out.

"You're absolutely right, Uncle Yuvan. It's important to keep in touch."

While Rafael handled the conversation, Carissa observed Yuvan in silence. In just a few exchanged words, she noticed that his eyes kept drifting toward Violet. There was something about the way his gaze lingered that was unsettling—dirty, almost predatory.

Carissa knew Molly had invited Violet to dinner with less-than-noble intentions, but she assumed it was just an attempt to have her cousin on her side.