"It's almost a month now… sigh."
Seraphina stood up from the edge of the bed and stretched, joints popping softly. Evening light spilled through the curtains, painting golden bars across the room. She cracked her neck, then her knuckles.
"Whew. That… feels nice. Better not do it every day, though. He did say it'd get addicting."
She moved to the window and looked out. Carriages trundled past, loaded high with raw materials for reconstruction. The inner city streets were busy with merchant stalls, the air alive with hawking voices, sizzling oil, and laughter.
She opened the window, inhaling a breeze that carried the warm scent of fresh bread.
"…it smells nice. It's… the same one he always brought me after work."
She bent forward slightly, bracing her hands on the window ledge.
"Fucking hell, am I seriously talking like this? Get a hold of yourself, Sera."
A few citizens passing below waved up at her. She managed a faint smile and waved back.
"Did you notice how nice Her Grace has become?"
"Yeah. She doesn't look stressed or sad like she used to. Honestly, I hope she stays that way."
Seraphina's eyes drifted toward the distant scaffolding where hammers rang out. She listened to the rhythm of rebuilding where bricks were being stacked, wood being cut and Penelope barking orders.
"Life has become normal again. Just like how you said it would."
She used a tendril to drag over a chair and sat by the window, her gaze still distant.
"Honestly… the people here and Earth are the same in that sense. They keep moving forward because life forces them to. But I don't think, I or anyone here has really moved on since that night."
She let out a long, quiet sigh.
"The bread I smell is the same recipe you taught Mira. The toys the children play with are the ones you made. Even the smell of fried rice drifting from the kitchens… that's your doing."
She laughed bitterly,
"I don't get it, you know. It's been nearly a month, and you still won't wake up. My mana reserves have grown so much I could heal you in my sleep… and yet, you refuse to open your eyes. Ashwick's repairs are nearly done, too… well, minus the air conditioner upgrades."
Her voice wavered, the practiced mask of the "Duchess" slipping away into something more vulnerable.
"I'm speaking everywhere and it probably doesn't make sense. But hey, you probably can't hear me and I'm just talking to the wind. Well anyways, I remember that philosophy you used to talk about. And… I think you're wrong, you know."
She folded her arms over her knees and rested her chin on them, staring out the window as the last light of day started to fade,
"You always said things keep going. That no matter how ugly things get, life just… goes on. People forget. People move on. It's how the world survives. How it stays sane."
She snorted softly, "But that's the part I hate. I don't want things to simply 'go on.' I don't want people to forget. I don't want to pretend none of it mattered."
Her eyes glistened as her voice dropped,
"You only knew us for a few months. And yet… you sacrificed yourself without a second thought. Like you'd already decided that was the only path for you. Like your own life didn't matter compared to ours."
She clenched her fists on her knees.
"To me… that's not noble. People say it is but...I think it's suicidal. I keep thinking about how easy it seemed for you to throw yourself away. And I wonder…"
A bitter laugh slipped out of her.
"Haha...I wonder if that's the same philosophy you secretly hold. That people, even people you love… are just parts of a world that has to keep spinning, no matter who gets left behind."
"I don't want to believe that. I don't want to believe we're meant to forget. I don't want to believe you'd choose to disappear just because life demands it."
She swallowed hard.
"I know you'd say you don't believe in leaving people behind. I know you'd call me dramatic. But I keep wondering…"
"Was it just fate screwing with you or was it just you giving up?"
Silence filled the room for several heartbeats, broken only by the distant clatter of hammers.
"I wish I knew that answer."
More silence followed.
She closed the window as she stared at him, "It's funny how I know your favourite shows despite not seeing it myself but I don't know how you actually think or how you actually feel."
"When you wake up, we have a lot to discuss..."
KNOCK KNOCK
Seraphina looked at the door, "Must be Evelyn."
She raised her voice slightly, "Come in."
The door opened with a soft creak, and Evelyn stepped inside holding a folder stacked with papers.
"Your Grace." she greeted, bowing slightly.
"Apologies for the late report. I didn't want to disturb your rest."
Seraphina waved it off. "No matter. What's the situation?"
Evelyn nodded, flipping open the folder. "The repairs to Ashwick's outer wall and inner infrastructure are ahead of schedule. Borin and his crew have shifted focus to installing air conditioners now that summer's approaching."
Seraphina arched a brow. "He really took that suggestion seriously, huh?"
"Yes, he even started experimenting with low-mana cooling enchantments to help cut costs."
"He's thorough, I'll give him that."
"Everyone's salaries have been paid this month, though finances are tight." Evelyn continued.
"We're still expecting dividends from Thorin and Callista within this month and we've recovered the Note from Sebastian's place as well. That should keep us afloat for the a few months until the debt is paid off."
Seraphina nodded approvingly.
"Penelope's coming along well, by the way." Evelyn added.
"She's been studying finance under my supervision and already completed her assignment on manpower allocation. She's been coordinating logistics with the town's labour force too."
"Good. She needs to grow into that role. And the manor?"
"Penelope sent notice to our estate this morning. The maids and butlers will be arriving in a few days to assist with domestic management."
Seraphina leaned back in her chair, the edge of a smile forming.
"She's adapting. Looks like she is much more than just a toy. I'm quite proud of her."
Evelyn hesitated a moment, then asked carefully, "Will we be staying here until Aric wakes up… or until the renovation is complete? Borin expects it'll be done in two weeks at his current pace."
"We'll..."
Seraphina was quiet for a moment.
"If Aric isn't awake by then...we'll move back to our place with him. We can't neglect our household for that long. As much as I want to just stay here until Aric wakes up...we also have a duty with other regions."
Evelyn looked at Seraphina with keen eyes and notice her body language betraying her,
"Hmm...it's okay your grace. I am sure everything will work out in the end. Plus, we have alot of work to do once Ashwick is done as we still need to pay the crown regent and the other debts too."
"Yes. We have that problem too. I suppose I can make a detailed contract later on for the crown about these blueprints. Though...it would be nice if he was around. It is...still his."
Evelyn put her hand over her shoulder, "I understand that Aric is probably the only man besides your father and brother that you're comfortable with but...let's not think too hard about it okay? It will just make you less objective."
She cleared her throat, "One final news is that, Callista is in Ashwick with a pretty boy too. I don't know his name but what's interesting is that, they both are wearing commoner clothes to blend in and gain information. I have been secretly tailing them and Kayla has been doing a good job keeping tabs on them too."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow and the air around her changed, "Information about what?"
"Well, it's mostly what happened to the city like the renovations and the fight. But also about Aric and you."
"Why would she want these information? She's no longer the ruler of this city so what use is there? Plus, how the hell are people not recognising her? She has better skin than the common people."
"Ahhh...well..." Evelyn put her hand away and placed it on her chin,
"I believe she alter her looks with makeup...like heavily."
"That's...weird." Seraphina answered.
Evelyn sighed and put her hands over her face,
"See I don't get it either, your grace. Callista is acting very out of character to say the least. Like this is the same woman who has many...toys and yet somehow, she's degraded herself to act like a commoner."
"It's like, she's changing or learned to change ever since that encounter with Aric. Like yeah I get that he humiliated you but this is just like watching someone else wearing her skin."
Seraphina put her hand over her lap, "Well, just talking here is not going to do much so...why not just meet with her? I'm sure she's also interested on this Aric as well."
Evelyn stood up, "I'll find a way to get her to see you then. I'm sure Kayla wouldn't mind the extra work."
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It was just past 8 p.m. when Mira began closing up her bakery stall. She was wiping the last of the flour from the counter when a voice caught her attention.
"Excuse me." said a woman in a cloak. "Is that your last piece of bread?"
Mira turned and blinked. The woman was tall, graceful, and clearly not from Ashwick. Her companion was a quiet man with striking features and long silver hair tied back in a loose knot. He stood a step behind her and he didn't say a word.
Holy shit. That man is pretty. What the hell? He looks like he's a prince or something.
Mira instinctively smiled. "It is."
"I'll take it, then." the woman replied politely, reaching into her coin pouch.
Mira waved her off. "No need. It's on the house."
But the woman frowned. "I'd prefer to pay. I don't like owing people, especially not for bread."
Something about her tone gave Mira pause. She looked closer at the lines of the woman's face, the way she held herself, that imperial poise despite the cloak.
A flicker of recognition sparked.
That face… that's… Mira thought, eyes narrowing. That's Duchess Callista...WHY IS SHE HERE!?
She didn't say it aloud. Instead, she leaned casually against the counter and asked,
"You're not from around here, are you?"
Callista smiled thinly. "No. Just… passing through. Curious about the reconstruction efforts and the big battle that happened here."
"Oh. It was demons attacking us. We have no idea why they attacked us but it was because of the last mayor. He screwed us over and unleased demons onto us."
Callista's expression didn't change. "Ah, that's unfortunate."
Mira's eye twitched a little, You were the one who made him leader in the first place...
"Yep. Anyways, here's the bread." Mira said carefully while handing the bread to her.
Callista tilted her head. "I've been told Lady Seraphina spends a lot of time with a man name Aric. Is he… someone new? Or is she cheating on Lord Vayne with him? Or are they the same man? There's alot of statements that don't add up."
Mira's brows twitched, but she didn't rise to the bait.
"She's not the type to cheat. if you're here for gossip, you might want to try the tavern instead or the golden griffin inn if you can afford it."
Callista smiled again, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I see. Thank you for the bread."
She took it and walked away with Marcus silently in tow. Mira watched them go, her thoughts swirling.
That woman is definitely Callista. But why the disguise? And what's with her companion? He didn't say a word, but the way he looked...what does Callista even want?
Mira wiped her hands on her apron, I don't get her plan but this is something I should report to the lady.
Callista walked with steady purpose through the streets of Ashwick. The bread was warm in her hands as they walked back into an empty alleyway.
"She didn't recognize me outright." she murmured to Marcus as she took off her cloak.
"But she looked like she knew you and played along." Marcus replied while helping her undress.
She started wiping off makeup from her face, "Really? Is that what you see? Hmmm...well, at least she was smart about it."
She looked up toward the inn where Seraphina was likely resting.
"I want to talk to her." Callista said. "I want to see for myself… what changed."
"And if this 'Aric' really isn't Vayne… then I want to know how he replaced him so easily in everyone's hearts. And how the hell did he even replace Vayne?"