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Rafael took the glass of milk. It had a slight gamey taste, but it was cool and refreshing, making it bearable. More importantly, it was a gesture of her thoughtfulness.
He appreciated her unspoken understanding, not revealing his discomfort or his attempts to please her.
She had truly changed since their time in Meadow Ridge.
But he felt quite bitter, because the scene of her coaxing him to drink milk was probably how she had always served Rebecca in the past, right?
She had truly regarded the Jaffes as her family, and genuinely wanted to spend her life with Blake. How could a pack of ungrateful wretches deserve her sincerity?
Rafael’s eyes darkened with anger. Liam’s revenge on Freya was indeed too presumptuous. He had thought that humiliating Freya would drive her to commit suicide, just like Westhaven’s crown prince. However, Freya was still alive and well.
Sophie noticed his sudden cold demeanor, and asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Rafael’s expression was cold as he shook his head. “It’s nothing. We’ll talk about it later.”
Dylan, recognizing Rafael’s need for privacy, signaled to Lulu and Pearl. “Let’s move to the adjacent room for our meal.”
Lulu understood that there might be serious matters at hand, so she called the waiter to help them move the food to the next room.
A few minutes later, only Sophie and Rafael remained in the room.
“Is something troubling you, Your Highness?” Sophie asked.
Rafael looked at her. “Seeing how you coaxed me into drinking the milk, I imagine you were equally patient when you attended Rebecca. You once treated the Jaffe family as your own, yet they all betrayed you. I’m angry on your behalf. And it seems to me that Freya’s punishment was too lenient. Even the military punishment she faced was endured by Blake on her behalf.”
Sophie hadn’t expected that a simple cup of milk would remind Rafael of her time in the Jaffe family.
She thought for a moment, and said, “Perhaps. But I trust that after careful consideration, the king will have her removed from the Ministry of Defense. She used to look down on women of the inner court. Now, she’ll have to settle for being a general’s wife and serve her in-laws and husband.”
Sophie remembered Freya’s once proud declaration that she despised fighting with the other women in the household. But in the end, she would inevitably become the very type of person she despised. It was a fate that seemed all too predictable.
“Your family was annihilated, and she is indirectly responsible. Don’t you want to kill her?” Rafael asked.
This was a question Sophie had pondered many times.
She furrowed her brows. “Killing her would be easy-it’s just a matter of a single strike. But would it be true revenge? The people of Westhaven won’t reveal the evil she committed at Victory Pass. Killing her wouldn’t be true revenge.”
True revenge would involve exposing the truth. The people of Westhaven choose to conceal it, and Salvador would be even less likely to make it public. Such an action would be detrimental to Starhaven. Moreover, the Starhaven soldiers would be branded as cruel and ruthless, and it would also implicate her grandfather, Dominic.
So, revenge was unattainable. The cost was too high.
In truth, both of them understood the situation-it was merely a matter of unresolved resentment.
Freya’s existence was like a thorn, embedded in their hearts. It was not only the grudge of having Sophie’s family killed-Freya’s actions had cast a shadow of shame over the soldiers of Starhaven, tarnishing their honor and dignity.
“Eat up,” Sophie said, bringing her thoughts back to the present. She smiled at him, her heart warmed by the fact that someone cared about the wrongs done to her family.
Rafael returned her smile warmly. He picked up a piece of pepper, and offered it to her. “I know you like spicy food, so eat up.”
Sophie tilted her head with a playful smile. “When did you find out that I like spicy food?”
“When I was at Meadow Ridge, I heard them mention it,” Rafael replied.
“That’s odd. Why didn’t you ever meet with me when you were there?” Sophie asked, puzzled.
They weren’t strangers, and since he was already at Meadow Ridge, why hadn’t he sought her out?
Rafael continued to put food on her plate, but he avoided answering her question. Sophie suppressed her curiosity. After all, it wasn’t a particularly important matter.
He smiled, and deflected by saying, “After Grand Princess Eleanor’s birthday banquet today, I’m sure there will be many new topics among the noble families in the capital.”
Sophie gave him a playful glare. “Yes, many noble ladies will have their hearts broken. When Lady Helen announced our engagement, many looked at me with disdain.”
“There will be many who envy and resent me,” Rafael said meaningfully.
At least Blake would regret it. Even Salvador had been moved as well.
“Not really. Who would want a woman who has been divorced?” Sophie said.
Rafael tapped her forehead lightly with the end of his spoon. “You’re about to become the Hell Monarch’s princess consort. Are you still belittling yourself?”
“Such is the way of the world.” She tapped him back playfully, then quickly moved away, smiling. “I’m not belittling myself. I know how outstanding I am.”
Seeing her smile so freely, with light shining in her eyes, touched Rafel deeply. Even if her happiness was partly a facade, her willingness to wear it was a good start.
The sadness that had once lingered in her eyes when she first arrived at the Southern Frontier had greatly diminished.
Sophie observed him, whose expressions shifted from relaxed to serious, and thought that perhaps everyone had their own pain. He was forced to marry someone he didn’t love due to royal edict, while his true love was married to someone else.
She wondered who that woman was. If the woman knew she had missed out on such a fine man, would she regret it?
After the meal, they went their separate ways. During their farewell, Sophie felt they had grown closer. It seemed that after their marriage, they would be able to respect each other as friends. The next day, officials from the Protocol Department and Trevor accompanied Rafael to Northwatch Estate as he was to formally propose to Sophie.
Theodore and Solomon were also invited to Northwatch Estate, where they began the traditional courtship rituals, including the proposal, astrological signs inquiry, gift presentation, and setting the wedding date.
Trevor personally came to oversee the proceedings, which greatly pleased Theodore. He felt assured that Rafael was genuinely intent on marrying Sophie.
Theodore was deeply comforted. Not only had Sophie enhanced the Devin family’s reputation through her achievements, but she was also marrying into the royal family. This would surely make those who had looked down on her and her family rethink their opinions.
The Astrology Department minister was also invited. After consulting the almanac, he declared, “They’re a match made in heaven!”
With these words, Rafael decided to set the wedding date.
The Astrology Department minister smiled, and said, “It’s already July. Preparing for a wedding within six months is already quite fast. The twenty-fourth of December is a good day. Although the preparation time is a bit rushed, it can be done if there are enough people to help.”
Rafael was eager to marry Sophie as soon as possible, but felt that the wedding should be conducted with proper ceremony. He asked Theodore and Sophie for their opinions, and once they agreed, the date was set for the twenty-fourth of December.
Turning to Sophie, Rafael asked, “I still need to visit Meadow Ridge personally to ask for your master’s consent. Do you want to come with me?”
Sophie shook her head, her eyes clouded with sadness. “I won’t be going.”
There was once a woman named Sophie at Meadow Ridge-a carefree and spirited woman.