Melody of Strength novel

After a busy day, and with the weather warming up, a bath was a necessity.

Rafael lifted Carissa effortlessly, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke in a husky, magnetic voice, “Perfect timing. Let’s bathe together.”

Carissa wrapped her arms around his neck, her curiosity piqued. “We’ve been intimate every night, yet we haven’t conceived. Why is that?”

“Are you eager to be pregnant soon?” Rafael carried her into the bathing chamber, and started to help her out of her dress.

“Not really. I’m just curious. I remember my mother saying that she found out she was pregnant just over a month after marrying my father.”

“I don’t think we need to rush into having children,” Rafael said, carefully peeling off her clothes until her fair shoulders were exposed. “I had Sebastian prescribe me some medicine. Let’s wait until your health fully recovers first–you were injured on the battlefield, after all.”

Her eyes widened. “You took contraceptive medicine? I’ve heard it can be quite harmful.”

Rafael chuckled. “If women can take it, why can’t men? Your health was already fragile. I couldn’t have you taking contraceptive medicine just to prevent pregnancy. Sebastian told me that it’s hard enough for women to build their strength back up. If you took it, it would undo all that progress and make things worse.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Carissa was touched. She had never heard of a man willing to take such medicine himself.

For the primary wife of a man, it wasn’t even an option. If word got out that a primary wife was using contraceptive medicine, people would think she wasn’t virtuous. They would think that her husband must despise her and leave her with no choice.

A proper wife was expected to bear children.

Her own mother had given birth to seven children. People used to say how lucky Melanie was–not only to have so many children, but for all of them to

survive infancy. That kind of fortune was rare.

But that luck…

Carissa shook off the thought, pushing it from her mind. She didn’t want to dwell on it.

After their bath, the two lay in bed, and naturally, one thing led to another as they indulged in their love for each other.

“Shouldn’t Yuvan and his family be returning to the capital soon?” Carissa asked, her voice hoarse from exhaustion as she lay in his embrace.

Rafael stroked her hair, his face adorned with a satisfied, warm smile.” They’ll return soon. Even if we do nothing, they’ll find an excuse to come back to the capital for a while. If they’re set on it, they’ll definitely return to handle the marriages of Randall, Sabrina, and Stephanie.”

Carissa nodded in agreement.

The three children were valuable assets, ideal for forming alliances with the children of high–ranking officials. It was a significant step for them. During the New Year, Yuvan’s hasty return to the capital had been all about letting those three children make an appearance.

They hadn’t talked about Serena, but Rafael found the whole thing

disgusting. Among the many things he detested in the capital, the Warren family was at the top of the list.

How dare she try to approach him? It was a reckless move.

Carissa fell asleep in his arms, her thoughts lingering on the fact that Margaret would be visiting tomorrow.

Helen had grumbled for quite a while tonight, lamenting how that girl from the Warren family had been so shameless.

Gillian hadn’t explained, only urging her to rest early.

After making such a grand appearance today and receiving envious glances from many, Helen was too happy to fall asleep.

She held Gillian’s hand and said, “In the past, I thought Carissa, being a woman who was once divorced, might not be quite worthy of my son. Did you think so too?*

Gillian shook her head. “I never thought that. I knew Lady Carissa was pure. Even if she wasn’t, as long as Prince Rafael likes her, that’s enough for me.”

Helen continued, “Speaking of liking, it’s clear that the woman Rafael likes must be her. Didn’t you see the way Rafael looks at her? It’s just like how the late king used to look at me–full of sweetness and affection.”

Helen missed the late king. Back when he was alive, he always remembered her birthday, prepared gifts, and celebrated with her in the palace.

Gillian watched her. Helen always found ways to comfort herself. The way the late king looked at her wasn’t like that. It was how Helen saw him through her own eyes.

The late king had never looked at even his most favored concubine the way Rafael looked at Carissa.

Helen fell asleep, dreaming of the late king’s warm embrace. But even in her dreams, she was clear–headed–she would never have another man in her

life.

Tears slipped from her eyes.

She was still so young, after all.