Carissa couldn''t bring herself to tell Rafael about Helen and Ryan moving into the pce-she feared it would upset him.


    She received a letter from Rafael, which came along with the report of their victory in the second battle. Salvador had specifically summoned her to the pce to hand it over.


    Carissa knew Rafael had intentionally sent the letter through Salvador''s hands, signaling that they hid no secrets. It was a gesture of transparency, even if it was a mere formality.


    But it seemed to please Salvador, who didn''t put on the usual fake smile. Instead, he told her not to worry too much about the situation at the Southern Frontier. Victory was within their grasp.


    After her audience with the king, Carissa went to Serenity Pce to offer her greetings to Victoria and check on Helen and Ryan.


    However, she didn''t find Ryan or Evan there. They were in ss; as they were Connor''s study partners, they had to follow him to the study.


    Moreover, Connor''s tutor had changed. Trevor was now personally teaching him.


    In the past, Salvador had suggested this, but Trevor had turned it down, citing health concerns. Now that Ryan was in the pce, Trevor immediately agreed, clearly doing it as a show of respect to thete Hector.


    Although Salvador was a little displeased, he didn''t say anything since he still benefited from it.


    Carissa didn''t find Helen, either. Victoria mentioned she had gone to see Dakota.


    "Helen never got along with her, but now that she''s back at the pce, it''s like they''re close sisters. She''s truly heartless, even turning her back on her own sister," Victoria said. Sheined about Helen without holding back, though she couldn''t hide the smile at the corners of her mouth.


    Carissa couldn''t helpugh along. "It''s not really a deep feud. They argue when they''re together, but they start to miss each other when they''re apart."


    Victoria rubbed her forehead, a weary look in her eyes. "Yes, that''s family for you. Sometimes you can''t stand each other, but other times you find yourself missing them."


    Carissa nodded quietly, then changed the subject. "Has Ryan been any trouble? If he''s not behaving, don''t hesitate to punish him."


    Victoria''s expression softened at the mention of Ryan. "How could he be trouble? I''ve never seen a child so well-behaved. He''s neither servile nor arrogant, just respectful. You''ve done a wonderful job raising him."


    Victoria could see the concern in Carissa''s eyes, so she smiled reassuringly. "Don''t worry. While he''s with me, Connor won''t dare to bully him. And in ss, Mr. Young won''t allow it either."


    "I''m not worried at all since you''re here, Mother," Carissa replied.


    After their conversation, Carissa decided to go and visit Helen. She took some time to walk with Helen in the royal garden, and asked about Connor and Ryan.


    At the mention of Connor, Helen scoffed. "Prince Connor is truly troublesome-he''s a rotten one. He can''t bully Ryan, so he tried picking on Evan instead. He even had a young chambein bring dog feces to force Evan to eat."


    Carissa''s brow furrowed in concern. "Did he eat it?"


    Helen chuckled, remembering the absurdity. "Of course not! Ryan grabbed Evan and ran straight to my sister. Heined to her, and my sister had them serve Prince Connor two full meals of dog feces. Prince Connor had the choice-eat it or go hungry. Now he''s been thoroughly put in his ce.''


    Carissa couldn''t help butugh along. As long as Ryan was speaking up, that was what mattered. She had always feared that Ryan might keep everything inside.


    Endurance didn''t earn one respect. Resorting to hitting the other person wasn''t an option. At that age, the best weapon was always telling on someone.


    Sometimes, Carissa would share stories from her youth with Ryan, telling him about life in Meadow Ridge. She would tell him how, whether she was the one being bullied or the one bullying others, her first instinct was always to go and report it.


    She hadn''t expected Ryan to listen so intently-and to remember it all. He really did have the same spirit as her.


    Due to her busy schedule, Carissa couldn''t stay until after Ryan''s lesson. She had to leave the pce to return to the Capital Guard headquarters.


    Kevin had improved rapidly. Whenever he had some free time, Travis would give him pointers, and asionally, Carissa would spar with him.


    Kevin had been incredibly unlucky on his journey to find a mentor. But now, his luck had finally turned around at this age. Though he was thest apprentice epted by Violet, his martial arts had already surpassed that of Michael, Max, and Alistair.


    Alistair had been in a half-suspended state due to what Oliver had done. Salvador had never officially removed him from his post, mostly because Alistair and Oliver had never gotten along. Their feud was well-known throughout the capital, and even Salvador was aware of it.


    However, after Carissa took charge of reorganizing the Mystic Army, she didn''t care about that. She needed capable people, and she was prepared to use whoever had the skills.