Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1330

Violet sprawled across Carissa's desk. "Haven't you read this letter a dozen times already? Why are you still looking at it? Do you miss Prince Rafael that much?"

"He mentioned Prince Nicholas before he left, but I think there's something he hasn't fully figured out yet. The more tense the situation gets, the sharper his mind becomes. I wonder if he has figured something out recently and has given me some clues," Carissa replied.

"Why the need for hints? Why not just write it plainly in the letter?" Violet asked.

"This letter was sent directly to the king, who then passed it on to me," Carissa explained. "If it was something Raf deduced or suspected, he wouldn't have written it plainly. His Majesty has already opened it and read through it."

Violet scrunched up her nose in distaste. "Reading someone's personal letters? That's pretty low. But still, why didn't he just send it to you directly?"

"Because that's the fastest way to get to me," Carissa said. "And sending a letter directly could risk it being intercepted. If the contents were just his guesses, it could easily be twisted into accusations of slander."

After she finished speaking, Carissa turned to them and asked, "Have you found anything?"

Violet recounted their findings briefly, including their analysis. She mentioned Hayden's deliberate choice to let them overhear the noises outside that night, as well as the shipment of food meant for over a hundred people.

Carissa thought for a moment, unsure of Hayden's true intentions or where his loyalties lay.

But one thing was certain—he and Nicholas were involved in this matter.

The question was: where were these soldiers?

They couldn't possibly be coming from Nerovia now. The journey would take them through Valken, and that would put them right into the hands of Thomas. If they traveled in groups, it would be too large a force to go unnoticed. Chester would certainly catch wind of it and destroy them on the way.

As the true mastermind had hidden behind Yuvan for so many years, they surely had more tricks up their sleeve.

"Has Prince Hayden been acting strangely lately?" Carissa asked.

"He's been enjoying himself," Violet said. "Eating, drinking, and indulging in all sorts of pleasures—watching plays, listening to music."

Carissa's eyes narrowed in thought. "I remember he didn't used to like going out much. Why the sudden change? Where has he been going?"