Chapter 48, part 3

최신 챕터

• By Order of the King   Chapter 95

  Iona stopped outside the kitchen door and hesitated. She wasn't ready to face anyone yet.She wiped her eyes carefully and waited for the moisture to dry. Then she stepped inside, removed her cape, hung it on its hook, and went straight to her usual spot at the vegetable-peeling corner without a word.No "Good morning." Not today.It wasn't a good day—it was one of the worst she could remember.A few heads turned. The others looked at her in mild surprise, confused by her absence of the usual greeting. But no one asked questions. No one said a word. They returned to their work.Iona sat in the low chair and began peeling vegetables. A task that had now become a routine in her daily life, yet she felt discomfort; something inside her felt off. It had started low, like a whisper just below the ribs, and then spiraled up, wrapping around her throat and making it difficult to swallow. Her mouth was dry. Her throat tasted like copper and sorrow.She hadn't eaten, but she didn't care—her ap

• By Order of the King   Chapter 94

  Iona gripped the broom tightly, pressing her fingers into the smooth wood.The stiff bristles scraped against the stone floor, the sound grating in a way that always made her shudder.Dust swirled, hovered for a moment, then settled again—just out of reach. She pushed it forward. Again. Again."Too bad you got out of that hole," she had said to him.The words had clung to her all day, rattling in her mind.Why had she said those words?She didn't mean them, and now she regretted those words.But it was done, and Dougal probably wouldn't want to see her again after that.Her grip tightened. The broom scratched harder against the stone, its strokes growing sharper and more forceful.She was too deep inside her thoughts to notice the presence behind her.A gentle tap on her shoulder jolted her back into reality.She sucked in a breath, startled, jumping slightly.Her eyes darted around—until they landed on Fergus.His gaze was steady. Unwavering.Her expression hardened. She narrowed her

• By Order of the King   Chapter , Part 2

  Talisha smiled against Skye's shoulder. "Right decision," she said, stroking her hair. "And if you want, we can invite some of Hector's friends, especially Lennox and Eithne—I know you've been close to them. What do you say?"Skye nodded, pressing her chin lightly against Talisha's shoulder, seeking comfort in the warmth of her presence."Excellent. I'll tell Glenn to prepare the invitations for Eithne and Lennox. For the rest of the guests, I'll discuss it with Hector first to choose who else to invite. Since the king is away, I suggest only young people—those who have the appetite and stamina for fun."Skye let out a soft, imperceptible laugh, a breath of lightness curling past her lips—the first in the last days."Discuss this with Hector. I don't want him to be misunderstood by offended people who weren't invited.""Okay. I'll do whatever you want. I'll discuss it with Hector."Talisha gently pulled away, her hands resting on Skye's forearms for a moment as if to reassure her befo

• By Order of the King   Chapter 93, Part 1

  Iona closed the heavy wooden kitchen door behind her, the worn hinges creaking under the force of her movement. She leaned against it, her chest rising and falling too quickly.As if she had been running.As if she had been running from something.But now she was safe, or at least she believed so. She took a deep breath. The air in the kitchen smelled of hearth fire, baked bread, and the faint metallic bite of winter.The abrupt sound of the door echoed through the room, catching everyone's attention, including Talisha, who turned sharply."Iona?" Her voice carried a mix of surprise and concern as she moved toward her.By the time Talisha reached her, Iona had already pulled off her hood. She had removed her cape, shaking off the last traces of cold, and hung it carefully on the wooden hooks."Yes, it's you," Talisha murmured, relief and curiosity flickering in her eyes.Iona forced a composed smile. "Good morning, Madam Talisha."Talisha's gaze swept over her. "I didn't expect you to

• By Order of the King   Chapter 92

  The next morning, as Iona stirred from sleep, her first instinct was to check her finger. She worked carefully, unwrapping the fabric in slow, deliberate motions. The dim pre-dawn light made her squint, but as her wound came into view, her breath caught.Talisha was right.The gash was gone, replaced only by a faint, pink line. Iona pressed the skin cautiously. Nothing. No pain.She exhaled. Good. Now, she could get back to her miserable duties.If she were honest, though, she wasn't eager to return to them. What she feared most was the possibility of being cast aside and dismissed as useless. The fulfillment of her plan depended on her position, no matter how humiliating. She had to endure. Because one day, she would be rewarded.Years of brilliance awaited her—if she could endure a few months of suffering.She let out a slow breath, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. Time to get up.A humming sound drifted from outside, low and restless."It's windy today," she thought, a str

• By Order of the King   Chapter 91

  The door to the forge closed behind them, keeping its warmth as the bitter cold rushed in to greet them.The chill hit Iona like a slap, stealing the breath from her lungs. For a fleeting moment, she longed for the familiar heat of the forge—the fire, the glow, the comfort—but she shook off the thought and pulled her cloak tightly around herself.Beside her, Dougal barely seemed affected. If the cold bit at him, he didn't show it. Wrapped in his warm clothes and heavy cloak, he strode forward, gripping the basket firmly in one hand."Let's go," he said, urging her to move.Iona tried—but for a heartbeat, her limbs refused to obey. The cold had stiffened her joints, locking her in place."What happened to you? Move," Dougal pressed, his tone impatient. When she still didn't budge, he gave her a light push—not rough, not forceful. Just enough to jolt her forward.It backfired.Her balance wavered, her body tilting dangerously toward the ground. In that split second—before she could brac