Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1435

Kylie flinched at Salvador's outburst and quickly lowered her head. However, a flicker of anger flashed in her downcast eyes.

She hadn't expected the harem's gossip to provoke such a reaction—that Salvador's first instinct would be to defend Carissa so fiercely, his thunderous wrath reserved for anyone who dared to question her.

If Carissa never harbored such intentions, then it could only mean that Salvador himself had made this choice. In that case, he would shoulder all the criticism alone.

Kylie couldn't understand it. Salvador had always valued his reputation above all else. In a situation like this, shouldn't he have seized the opportunity to shift the blame onto Carissa to preserve his own name?

Why was he protecting her instead?

If he insisted on defending her in public as well, then the entire court would see this as nothing but a reckless scandal of his own making.

A storm of emotions surged through Kylie's heart as she recalled Salvador's previous mention of bringing Carissa into the palace.

Could it be that he had truly fallen for her?

That would be utterly absurd.

From the moment Kylie married Salvador, she had understood that he would never belong to her alone. Compared to power and status, love and affection held no weight.

But the condition for this balance was simple: he was never meant to truly love anyone.

Over the years, new favored concubines had come and gone in the harem, but Kylie had never been jealous. The king's so-called favor was fleeting—nothing more than a few extra nights spent in a favored concubine's bedchamber, which was hardly a sign of true affection.

Yet, when Salvador had spoken of bringing Carissa into the palace, Kylie had been displeased.

For one, the selection of concubines had always been her domain. Salvador had never taken interest in such matters, leaving it entirely in her hands. Carissa had been the only exception, the only woman he had personally named.

How could Kylie not feel jealous?

Beyond that, she knew Carissa was different.

Carissa had military achievements of her own, and her lineage as Hector's daughter and Dominic's granddaughter made her even more formidable. With such a powerful backing, she commanded the support of many within the military. If she ever bore a royal heir, the balance of power would shift dangerously in her favor.

Kylie had only felt relieved when Carissa married Rafael, allowing Salvador to reclaim military authority without opposition.

But Carissa had never been one to stay quiet.

Serving as the sole female official, founding an academy for women, establishing the workshop, and now, achieving an even greater military victory by repelling the rebels. Her prestige had only grown stronger.

And if, on top of all that, she had truly won Salvador's heart…