Chapter 142 Autumn Farewell
Chapter 142 Autumn Farewell
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Hearts are perilous terrain. No one truly knows what they will sacrifice when hemmed in by ruin.
To Fiona, such maneuvering felt like betrayal- and very few souls forgive betrayal with ease.
Helen shut her eyes, gathered every loose strand of emotion, and reopened them clear and controlled. “When will you depart?”
“Mother urges me to hurry home. I will leave the day after tomorrow,” Fiona replied.
Helen froze, then nodded slowly. “So be it. Your mother must ache to see you. I will have the carriage and horses prepared at once.”
“She misses you as well,” Fiona added, a gentle thread of comfort woven through the
statement.
At the mention of her daughter, Helen’s eyes warmed with rare delight. “You have grown, child. Every day you resemble Meryl more–only brighter still.”
Departure dawn found only Helen and Cecilia at the gates. The noble households of Yondale had begged to come, but Helen dismissed them; she would not allow moon–eyed young men to crowd the road in hopes of one last glimpse of Fiona.
Cecilia’s eyes shone crimson, tears glittering like a small fox abandoned at the roadside. Helen remained austere as ever, ordering servants to cram the coach with gifts until its axles groaned.
“Daylight is wasting. Go while the roads are kind. Write to me once you reach Jexburgh,” Helen instructed.
“Please look after yourself,” Fiona called back, concern slipping past her composure.
Helen’s only reply was a soft laugh and a graceful wave, bidding the girl step into the waiting carriage and ride toward whatever season waited beyond the horizon.
Fiona refused to delay another breath; the road ahead had already begun calling.
From the swaying carriage she watched the lone figure in the distance shrink to a speck, and a faint, inevitable sadness welled up inside her.
“Ms. Fiona, I am certain Mr. Vincent has missed you every single day. Now we are finally on our way home–you will see him soon,” Pearl said, her voice sparkling with irrepressible happiness.
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Chapter 142 Autumn Farewell
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At the mention of Vincent, anticipation kindled in her chest. The last glimpse of her brother had been his body lying cold on a bier–a pain so searing she had carried it through two lifetimes.
Now, at last, she would see him alive again.
At the Imperial Palace, half a month later, Vincent was delivering his report before Emperor Aldric when Frederin Chapman suddenly announced, “Your Majesty, Lord Soren requests an audience.”
“Send him in,” Emperor Aldric said, his tone calm, almost indifferent.
Vincent glanced over his shoulder. Soren entered clad in black silk shot through with subtle jade patterns; a rare, delicately carved hairpin anchored his jade coronet. His features were refined, and a cool confidence clung to him like winter mist.
Noticing the stare, Soren flicked him a single, dismissive glance–nothing more–before letting his eyes slide away, as if Vincent were scarcely worth the effort.
Vincent lowered his gaze as well, harboring the same disdain. He had never stomached Soren’s aloof pretense; even as boys, they could not play together, once brawling over a single kite Fiona fancied.
“My little sister wants it,” Vincent had said back then, still trying for politeness as he reached for the brightly painted sparrow kite, hoping to give it to Fiona.
Beside him, four–year–old Fiona had gazed up with round, expectant eyes, her cherubic face practically pleading.
“What your
sister wants is none of my concern,” Soren had answered coolly. “If you have the skill, take it back yourself.”
Vincent failed, and the kite ultimately ended up in Roxanne’s hands, leaving Fiona aching with
envy.
Memory flickered to only a few months ago, when Soren had earned Emperor Aldric’s displeasure by bungling the affairs of his grandmother, Helen.
Serves him right, Vincent thought, his mood instantly lighter.
“Your Majesty,” Soren said, bowing with perfect decorum.
“I punished you for three months, and your aunt has been scolding me every day since. Now that the term is over, stop by her palace later and put in a good word for me,” Emperor Aldric said kindly.
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Chapter 142 Autumn Farewell
The aunt in question was Claudia.
“I obey, Your Majesty,” Soren replied.
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