Free Web NovelChapter 173: The Shape of the Road Ahead
Chapter 172: The Shape of the Road Ahead
Lyria’s POV
Patricia watched me quietly for a moment after signing that she had advice for me.
There was nothing playful in her expression now.
The warmth remained, but beneath it sat something serious.
Then her hands moved.
’I am going to speak honestly with you now.’
I straightened slightly without meaning to.
Patricia’s gaze remained fixed upon me as she continued.
’Whether intentional or not, this path you have stepped upon is one you must now follow to its end.’
The words settled heavily between us.
I lowered my eyes briefly toward my hands resting in my lap.
I already knew that. There was no retreat from this now.
Patricia continued signing slowly.
’It will not be easy.’
I nodded once. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"I know," I said quietly, my hands moving with the words. "O-or at least... I think I do."
Her expression softened faintly at that.
’No,’ she signed. ’I do not believe you fully understand yet.’ freeweɓnovel.cѳm
I looked at her again.
Her hands did not stop.
’Things will become difficult for you in ways you have not yet imagined. Your enemies will increase a hundredfold.’
A small silence followed.
’Not only within the royal family.’
Her fingers moved more sharply then.
’The nobles as well.’
I swallowed faintly.
Patricia watched my face carefully before continuing.
’You may be of royal blood, but many of them will still look upon you and see only a common girl who has stepped beyond her proper station.’
That was not surprising.
Patricia’s expression hardened slightly.
’They will attempt to sabotage you, that much is obvious, and they will smile while doing it.’
That drew a quiet laugh from me despite myself.
A tired sort of laugh.
"Yes," I admitted softly. "T-that sounds rather like court."
Patricia’s eyes crinkled slightly at the corners before she continued.
’But you are not alone.’
That made me still.
Her hands moved again.
’You already possess allies. Strong ones at that.’
I blinked at her.
Then immediately shook my head when I realized what she was referring to.
"I do not know if allies is the proper w-word."
Patricia gave me a look that suggested she disagreed entirely.
’Duke Aurelgrave, Duke Thorncrest, Baron Redwick, Duke Valenridge, Earl Hawthorne.’
She counted them calmly upon her fingers.
’They are drawn toward you in one manner or another.’
Heat immediately rose to my face.
"T-that is not—"
Patricia raised one brow and I stopped speaking immediately.
She resumed signing with complete composure.
’Whether you understand the reason or not does not alter the truth of it.’
I looked away at once.
My cheeks felt unbearably warm.
"I think y-you are misunderstanding things deliberately," I muttered.
That only made her look more amused.
Then, gradually, the amusement faded again.
Her hands slowed.
’They may support you, Lyria. They may stand beside you. But you must not forget yourself in the process.’
I looked back at her properly then.
The room had grown very quiet around us.
Patricia continued.
’The road ahead will be difficult. Court is not kind to those who enter it without preparation.’
I listened carefully.
’You have a soft heart. Do not lose that softness.’
My throat tightened faintly.
’At the same time,’ she continued, ’you must learn to survive among people who sharpen words into blades.’
A silence settled briefly between us.
’They will twist meanings. They will create traps where none appear to exist. They will throw others into disgrace simply to preserve themselves.’
Her expression darkened slightly.
’And if given the opportunity, they will place blame upon your shoulders for sins that are not yours. But you must learn to stand firm amidst it all.’
I nodded slowly.
"I understand."
’Do you?’
I drew in a small breath.
"I know I still have much t-to learn," I admitted quietly. "About court. A-about nobles. About all of this."
I gestured faintly around me.
"But I also k-know..." I hesitated briefly before continuing more firmly, "that I-I cannot r-retreat now."
Patricia remained silent.
And so I continued.
"I have already entered this situation," I said. "A-and since I am here... I do not intend to surrender halfway through it."
Patricia’s eyes softened.
I lifted my head a little higher.
"I will see it through to the end," I said quietly.
And I would.
No matter how frightened I became.
No matter how difficult things turned.
I had spent too much of my life merely enduring.
Perhaps it was selfish of me, but I wanted more now.
Not power.
Not grandeur.
Just... the freedom to choose something for myself for once.
"And when I am a-able to," I continued softly, "I am going to get y-you and my m-mother out of this palace."
Patricia stared at me, and I could not explain it, but I felt uncertain.
"I-I mean it," I added quickly. "I know it may take t-time, but once I have the opportunity, I shall do it properly."
Patricia’s gaze did not leave my face.
Then slowly, she reached out and touched my cheek. The gesture was so gentle it nearly undid me. Her fingers were warm and familiar.
Her hands moved after a moment.
’You are a good child.’
I immediately frowned.
"I am not a c-child any l-longer," I told her, and that earned a very unimpressed look from her.
’To me, you always will be.’
I let out a soft groan.
"P-patricia."
She only smiled.
The expression transformed her entire face, softening the years that hardship had carved there.
Then her hands moved again.
’You will soar, Lyria.’
I blinked slightly at the certainty in her expression.
She signed the next words slowly, deliberately.
’Of that, I am certain.’
I laughed softly to hide the strange ache in my throat.
"You have far t-too much c-confidence in m-me."
’No,’ she signed immediately. ’Not too much. I have enough confidence in you.’
I shook my head lightly, though I could not stop smiling.
Then Patricia’s expression shifted once more into practicality.
Her eyes flicked briefly toward the window.
The morning had brightened considerably while we spoke.
Too much time had passed.
Her hands rose quickly.
’You should go now.’
I sighed quietly.
’Your maids will notice your absence eventually. And if they know you are missing, they would let the queen know.’
