Free Web NovelChapter 78: Chapter 78
The flower garden and the library had quickly become her two favorite places in the entire manor. She cherished her daily visits to the library, drawn in by the solace and privacy it offered her. The garden, on the other hand, captivated her in an entirely different way. It was simply stunning, a burst of color and fragrance that seemed to exist in defiance of the uncertainty that surrounded her life in Lamora.
Each morning, she made her way to the training yard to watch Casilo and Kostia spar. It had been a sort of routine and today was no exception. As she exited through the front entrance and headed in their direction, she paused at the unexpected sight before her.
Rowen had taken Kostia’s place in the sparring match. He and Casilo were circling each other in the open yard, the usually steel swords replaced with short wooden ones. A grin broke across her face as she watched them. Casilo moved with deliberate patience, and Rowen was a bit clumsy but he did his best to mirror him with enthusiastic determination.
Then Rowen suddenly lunged forward, swinging his wooden sword in an attempt to land a hit. The move was wild, lacking both form and precision, and Casilo blocked it with ease. The wooden swords clashed with a firm thud, and Rowen stumbled slightly from the rebound.
From the way his chest heaved with exertion, Circe guessed they had been at it for quite some time. Yet Rowen showed no signs of giving up. Despite his waning energy and his clear inexperience, he looked invigorated, eager to learn more, eager to improve.
Casilo, for his part, seemed fully invested in the training session. As a seasoned warrior, he knew how to handle a beginner, especially one as young and spirited as Rowen. He kept the pace challenging but not overwhelming, giving just enough push to keep the boy engaged without discouraging him.
Circe found herself unable to look away. She had not seen her brother this excited since their home was invaded. The pure delight on his face tugged at something deep inside her. The light in his eyes, so bright and full of admiration, reminded her of the way he used to look at their older brother, Torben.
Torben had been a soldier, as well as the crown prince of Westeria, and in Rowen’s eyes, he could do no wrong. Rowen had idolized him completely, convinced that he was the embodiment of strength, honor, and courage.
But Torben had never made time for what he deemed as childish fascinations. He never took time out of his days to just be around Rowen or even do that which Casilo, an almost complete stranger, is doing right now. He had no patience for things that didn’t benefit him directly. He didn’t see the need to interact with a child, even though that child happened to be his own brother.
Circe’s heart swelled when she saw Rowen’s smile widen at the sight of her. He dropped his wooden sword and ran toward her, his eyes sparkling, his cheeks flushed from training. It was the happiest she had seen him in weeks. The sight sent a comforting warmth coursing through her chest.
Despite everything, despite knowing there was nothing she could have done to change the events that led them here, there were still moments, quiet, lonely moments, when a cruel little voice inside her whispered awful things. You didn’t do enough to protect him. You failed him. freewebnovel.cσ๓
But now, watching him beam with joy, that voice fell silent.
"Casilo is teaching me how to sword fight!" Rowen announced breathlessly, his voice high with excitement.
"I saw," Circe said, smiling as she reached out to ruffle his sweat-damp hair. "You will be good at it in no time."
"As good as you?" he asked, his eyes wide with hope.
"Better," she replied. "You will be so much better than me. So good that you will become a legend among men."
Rowen grinned at her words and turned to call out to Casilo.
"You and Circe should spar together."
Kostia, who had been sitting on one of the stone benches, choked on a mouthful of water and broke into a coughing fit.
Casilo let out a low chuckle. " I would like that but we’re all quite aware of what your sister is capable of with a sword," he said, his voice laced with both humor and something that sounded awfully close to respect.
He was referring to the day she killed General Harkon.
It felt like a lifetime ago, though it had only been less than two months. That day had changed everything. It wasn’t just about the general she had slain, it was the reminder to everyone around her that she was a force to be reckoned with, and that was something many still didn’t know how to feel about.
The clatter of carriage wheels approaching the manor broke the moment. Circe turned at the sound and watched as a sleek black carriage rolled through the open gates and came to a smooth stop near the front entrance.
She heard Casilo step up beside her.
"Who is that?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at the familiar crest etched onto the carriage door.
"That would be the seamstress," Casilo replied. "Prince Ragnar sent a carriage to fetch her and all the clothes for your first dress fitting." freēwebnovel.com
Circe raised a brow. "Why didn’t he just send someone on horseback to bring her here like last time?"
Casilo chuckled quietly, folding his arms across his chest. "Because His Highness commissioned quite a number of dresses. It would be impossible for her to carry them all on horseback."
She exhaled slowly, unsure how she felt about that. A part of her bristled at the thought of Ragnar making decisions for her without asking. But another part—one that she tried not to look too closely at—wondered what the dresses looked like. Whether they were regal. Whether they were beautiful. Whether she would feel like herself in them again, or someone else entirely.
