Aelira was alone in the middle of the big garden. Just the sun and a few butterflies were keeping her company.

  ?“190... 191...”

  ?With every number, she swung her wooden sword.

  ?“196... 197...”

  ?Her arms were burning, and her legs were shaking. Sweat made her bangs stick to her forehead. Suddenly, a breeze blew through the garden. It caught the long, ice-blue strands of hair that had escaped her tie. As she swung the sword, her hair whipped around her face, shining like cold frost under the bright sun.

  ?She didn't stop. Her silver eyes narrowed, sharp and focused. She just kept looking forward.

  ?“198... 199... 200!”

  ?On the last count, she let the wooden sword drop. Her strength gave out, and she fell onto the soft grass.

  ?“Haa... Haa...”

  ?She looked up at the blue sky. Her ice-blue hair spread out on the green grass like a soft wave. Staring at the clouds, she forgot about how tired she was.

  ?“Lady Aelira!”

  ?She was too lost to hear the call. Her eyes traced the shape of a passing cloud.

  ?“Lady... Aelira!”

  ?A shadow fell over her. Aelira blinked, snapping back to reality. She swallowed hard, realizing she had been ignoring the voice.

  ?The owner of the voice was Lassandra, her nanny—the only person in this massive estate who offered her genuine warmth. Yet, the expression on the maid’s face right now was one Aelira wasn’t familiar with. It was stern, bordering on panic.

  ?“Seriously now... I’ve been calling you for a while, Lady Aelira.”

  ?“Sorry, Lassy...” Aelira murmured, pushing herself up. She offered her most apologetic look, widening her silver eyes.

  ?Lassandra’s stern facade cracked instantly. She sighed, her shoulders dropping. “It’s... it’s fine. Just don't scare me like that. Anyway, we must prepare you. Tonight is the night.”

  ?Aelira froze. “Tonight?”

  ?“Yes. The Lady and Lord will be happy to see you this evening,” Lassandra added softly, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  ?Happy to see me?

  ?Aelira didn’t have many memories of her parents. whenever she tried to reach for her father, he would dismiss her with flowery, empty words. And her mother? She didn’t even bother with the nice words.

  ?“Lady Aelira?”

  ?“...”

  ?Lassandra noticed the girl’s silence and followed her gaze down to her hands. They were red and raw from the rough hilt of the wooden sword.

  ?“Lassy?”

  ?“It looks like you’ve hurt your hands again.” Lassandra knelt, taking Aelira’s small hands in her own. Her touch was incredibly gentle. “We’ll treat them later, alright?”

  ?Heat pricked behind Aelira’s eyes, but she blinked it away, forcing a bright smile. “Okay!”

  The corridors of the Viremont estate were quiet, the silence amplified by the high ceilings. Aelira walked hand-in-hand with Lassandra, the maid’s grip a reassuring anchor.

  ?At the entrance to the dining hall, Lassandra stopped and knelt to straighten Aelira’s dress—a somber ensemble of black and navy blue.

  ?“Lady Aelira, there is nothing to be nervous about. You look absolutely adorable right now.”

  ?“O-Okay.”

  ?Taking a deep breath, Aelira stepped inside.

  ?Vivianne Viremont sat at the head of the table. A vision in crimson, she presided over the room like a queen on a throne. Her icy-blue hair was pulled back severely, showcasing the cold silver eyes typical of the Viremont bloodline.

  ?Lassandra released Aelira’s hand to bow.

  ?Aelira immediately curled her fingers into her palm, missing the warmth.

  ?“My Lady, I have brought Aelira.”

  ?Vivianne lifted her gaze. Slowly. Reluctantly. When their eyes met, Aelira’s breath caught in her throat. Her hands clenched into the fabric of her dress.

  ?Mother is looking at me. What should I say?

  ?“Did you hurt your hands?” Vivianne’s voice cut through the air, devoid of concern. It was an accusation.

  ?“Y-yes.”

  ?Before Vivianne could respond, Lassandra spoke up, her voice trembling slightly but firm. “My Lady, Aelira works so hard on her training. Surely she deserves some acknowledgment for her dedication?”

  ?Vivianne set her crystal goblet down with deliberate care. The sound of glass against wood echoed like a gunshot in the silent room.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  ?“Lassandra.” Her voice dropped, dangerously quiet. “Who said you could speak?”

  ?Lassandra’s face paled. “I—I thought...” Her voice faltered. “I’m sorry, My Lady.”

  ?“Sorry?” Vivianne rose from her chair, her red dress flowing around her like blood. “You dare interrupt me, and then offer a pathetic ‘sorry’?”

  ?She crossed the distance to Lassandra in three strides. Lassandra squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself. Vivianne raised her hand.

  ?“D-Don’t hurt Lassy!”

  ?Aelira threw herself between them, her small arms spread wide.

  ?Vivianne froze, her hand suspended in the air. Her silver eyes bored into Aelira’s terrified ones. For a long, agonizing moment, no one moved. The air in the room felt heavy enough to crush them.

  ?Then, slowly, Vivianne lowered her hand.

  ?“Tch.”

  ?She turned away, returning to her seat as if nothing had happened. “You’ll pay for this later, Lassandra.”

  ?“Yes, My Lady.” Lassandra’s voice was a broken whisper.

  ?Aelira’s heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. When her mother sat down, she finally exhaled. Behind her, she could feel Lassandra trembling. Aelira tugged gently on the maid’s skirt.

  ?“Lassy, are you okay?” she whispered.

  ?“Yes... please, sit down, Aelira.”

  ?Aelira climbed into her oversized chair, her feet dangling inches above the floor. She tried to meet her mother’s gaze, but Vivianne was already looking past her.

  ?“‘Lassy,’ huh?” Vivianne’s voice was sharp. “Is this a nickname?”

  ?“Y-yes.”

  ?“Didn’t I tell you to keep your distance from the help?”

  ?“L-Lassy is different.” Under her mother’s piercing gaze, Aelira tried to hold her ground, though her voice shook.

  ?“My Lady—” Lassandra began.

  ?“Different.” Vivianne’s voice turned to ice. “You’ll regret this attachment soon enough.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Leave us.”

  ?Lassandra hesitated, then bowed deeply and slipped out of the room. Aelira wanted to call her back, to say something, but the words stuck in her throat. Whatever she said would only make things worse for Lassy.

  ?After a heavy silence, the doors opened again.

  ?A man entered. He had common dark brown hair and an average build; he wasn't tall, nor was he short. There was absolutely nothing striking about him.

  ?He was Wilkram Viremont. Aelira's father.

  ?“Good evening, my—”

  ?“You’re late.”

  ?Wilkram froze mid-step. His shoulders hunched instinctively, and he clasped his hands together, resembling a beggar pleading for coin rather than a noble lord.

  ?“I-I was late because, y-you know...”

  ?“I know? I know that you were the one who arranged this dinner. Now, let’s hear your pitiful excuse.”

  ?“P-Pitiful? I—” Wilkram’s resolve crumbled the moment Vivianne raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “I was... arranging the matters I wanted to discuss with you today.”

  ?“Is that so?”

  ?“It is.”

  ?“Let’s say I believe you.”

  ?“I knew you had a great heart—”

  ?“Stop blabbering and sit down.”

  ?Aelira watched her parents intently as the food was served. As far as she could remember, this was the first time they had ever dined together as a family.

  ?Once the maids finished serving, Aelira reached for her fork. She grabbed it in her fist, stabbing at the meat like a dagger.

  ?“Are we not going to hire an etiquette teacher?” Wilkram asked, grimacing slightly. “Her table manners are... lacking.”

  ?Aelira froze, slowly setting the fork down. She looked at Vivianne, waiting for the verdict.

  ?“No,” Vivianne said, cutting her meat with surgical precision. “There’s no need for such trivial things. Aelira will be the next hero of House Viremont. And heroes don’t need etiquette. They need power.”

  ?Vivianne continued eating without sparing her daughter a glance.

  ?“You know, even a hero needs the bare minimum,” Wilkram murmured. “She’ll learn from us along the way.”

  ?He gave Aelira a small, defeated smile and nodded toward her plate.

  ?Etiquette...

  ?Aelira knew she should hold the fork differently. But her hands were small, and the silver was heavy. What if she dropped it? What if Mother got angry again?

  ?“What about her magic and sword instructors?” Wilkram pressed. “Surely we’re not planning to keep Mr. Telgit?”

  ?“She’s too young for magic lessons,” Vivianne replied dismissively. “But you’re right about Telgit. It’s clear he has his favorites.”

  ?He has his favorite? Aelira wondered, chewing slowly. Does that mean Lysric?

  ?“I see...” Wilkram cleared his throat, tugging at his collar nervously. “Are you going to enlighten us with today’s agenda? Is this related to Aelira somehow? I won’t let you use her as a tool for your nonsense.”

  ?“Hey! I have never done such a thing. Right, Aelira?”

  ?Aelira could only offer a weak smile. He hasn’t... but only because he fears Mother too much to do anything at all.

  ?Wilkram drew a deep breath, trying to summon some dignity. “Well, you know about Zaek Evarard, right?”

  ?Silence descended on the table. The atmosphere shifted instantly; the air grew heavy.

  ?Who is that? Aelira searched her memory but found nothing.

  ?“Zaek Evarard...” Vivianne’s eyes narrowed. “Are you telling me...?”

  ?Wilkram nodded, looking oddly proud.

  ?Vivianne’s eyes widened, a mix of excitement and calculation flashing within them. “You’re suggesting we ask one of the Eight Heroes to teach her? You know that’s impossible.”

  ?“Normally, yes. But this old man has made one fatal mistake.”

  ?“Fatal mistake? A hero who defeated a High Demon has a fatal mistake?”

  ?“Yes. The court... they asked him to teach Prince Louis.”

  ?“And?”

  ?“And Zaek doesn’t want to do it. Look, the court hasn't officially asked him yet. We can give him an excuse to reject the offer before they do.”

  ?Vivianne stared at her husband, genuinely surprised. “How do you know all this? Someone from a branch family of the Evarards couldn’t possibly have this kind of information.”

  ?“Fuh-fuh. You underestimate your husband’s network, my dear!” He straightened his back, puffing out his chest like a peacock displaying its feathers.

  ?Vivianne, unimpressed, turned her gaze to Aelira. The girl looked overwhelmed, her brow furrowed as she tried to piece the conversation together. Branch family... court... heroes...

  ?“Take Aelira to Lassandra. Tell her it’s time for bed.”

  ?“Of course, My Lady.”

  ?“B-but?!” Aelira started to protest.

  ?One look from her mother silenced her.

  ?I want to listen, too... I want to stay a little longer.

  ?A maid gently took her hand. Aelira didn't resist, though her eyes lingered on her parents' backs as she was led away.

  ?“So, how do you plan—”

  ?That was the last thing she heard before the heavy oak doors closed, sealing her out.

  ?The white marble halls were grand, decorated with blue embroidery and velvet curtains that smelled of wealth and age. Yet, to Aelira, they felt cold. Empty.

  ?When she reached her room, Lassandra was waiting.

  ?With gentle hands, the nanny helped her change into her nightclothes. Aelira sat on the edge of the bed, her feet barely touching the navy blue carpet.

  ?“Lassy, are you okay?”

  ?“Yes. Though... you shouldn’t jump between adults like that, you know.”

  ?“Yes... I’m sorry.”

  ?“Still,” Lassandra whispered, crouching down to meet her eyes, “it was thanks to you that she stopped.”

  ?“Did you say something?”

  ?“It’s nothing. Lady Aelira, I hope you enjoyed this evening.”

  ?Aelira couldn’t meet her eyes. She stared at the carpet patterns. “D-do you think... Mother enjoyed me being there?”

  ?“What kind of question is that, my lady? Of course she did.”

  ?“...”

  ?“Lady Vivianne just... struggles to express herself. I’m sure she enjoyed tonight.” Lassandra took Aelira’s small, bandaged hands in hers. “I’m sure she thinks dearly of you.”

  ?Her smile was so gentle, so full of warmth, that Aelira almost believed her.

  ?“Now, you must be tired. It is better if you sleep. Have a goodnight.”

  ?As Lassandra rose to leave, Aelira felt something crumble inside her chest. She wanted to grab Lassandra’s apron, to beg her not to go.

  ?“O-okay... g-goodnight.”

  ?The light clicked off. The door closed. Aelira was left alone in the encroaching darkness.

  ?Liar.

  ?There is no way my mother is happy to see me.

  ?She buried herself under the heavy duvet, curling into a tight ball, trying to hide from the cold reality of her home.