Chapter 2

It wasn’t the gruesome bloodbath I had braced for.

Putting his hand out, Lucian shielded my head from the collision.

His fair, long fingers were gashed by the bronze, and blood seeped through the skin.

I remembered the days when I kept us fed by selling pies. I wouldn’t even let him gather wood, all to keep his hands for writing.

Yet, he cared little for his livelihood.

The rage in Lucian’s eyes threatened to burst out.

“What has gotten into you, Lyra Thornfield?

“Your sad little suicide stunt isn’t going to make up for what you did to Tara.

“So, save it!”

I smiled bitterly to myself.

“So why are you stopping me? Isn’t it better if I pay for your beloved Tara with my life?”

Julian’s expression tightened with unease.

“I-I just can’t allow you to die today. It’s the day Tara becomes Queen. Your death will reflect badly on her.”

I was lost for words. That was rather thoughtful of Lucian.

Lucian had only known Tara for four years, not even half the time he and I had spent together. Yet, Tara was already a sister to him.

With Lucian getting in the way, I would struggle to end my life.

Turning on my heel, I retrieved the coins gifted by the King.

“His Majesty has granted my release from the palace. You may leave, my Lord.”

I sauntered out. Instead of going our separate ways, he trailed behind me.

“You’re always up to something. For all I know, you might come between His Majesty and Tara. It’s my duty as the High Chancellor to keep you under my watch.

“At the very least, I must ensure that you stay with House Thornfield.

My footsteps came to a halt.

House Thornfield…

That was my home in this quest world.

They were the family I shared a bloodline with.

However, my time with them lasted two brief years, barely a shadow of Tara’s childhood.

I was an unwelcome presence in House Thornfield, the one who had almost killed the adopted child they loved above all.

For a minute there, I thought I would never go back to them.

However, the manor was a good place to get away from Lucian.

It held the one person who hated me the most—my brother, Commander Sylas Thornfield.

I stepped into the manor to find the servants cleaning Tara’s chambers.

Next door, my chamber door stayed shut, the lock covered in a thick layer of dust.

Sitting in the gazebo, Sylas hunched over tallow candles and worked late into the night to craft a bow of polished bone.

If I wasn’t mistaken, Tara had always shown a keen interest in archery, and Sylas wasn’t one to let her down.

Sylas scoffed at the sound of my footsteps and lifted the unfinished bow to fire an arrow.

The arrow, aimed at my face, landed right at the tips of my boots.

“Who permitted you to enter? I told you that you are not welcome here.”

I smiled wryly, my mind wandering to the time I was first brought home. Sylas stared at my calloused hands in heartbroken tears.

“Fear not, Lyra. You’re home. You have me now, and I will keep you from harm. You don’t have to put yourself through so much now.”

On the surface, Tara kept the sweet act of a sister, but the next minute, she’d jump into the icy lake, accusing me of pushing her.

Without hesitation, Sylas pulled Tara out of the water and turned to me, his eyes full of blame.

“Lyra, Tara is my sister too.”

When Tara went missing, Sylas threw me into a cell and slashed my wrists, demanding her whereabouts.

It was once my dream to master the family’s swordsmanship, but I was left a cripple, never to lift a blade again.

I couldn’t even defend myself during the beatings at the palace.

Observing Sylas’ attitude, Lucian became hesitant.

“Commander, she tried to take her life twice at the laundress quarters today…”

The disdain on Sylas’ face grew.

“And you believe her, Chancellor?

“You, of all people, should know her. You won’t find another woman as cunning as her in the kingdom.

“She’s not afraid to risk her life to gain an edge.”

Convinced, Lucian nodded with a wry grin.

“You are right. I was careless to forget the kind of person she is.”

Sylas secured the last piece of attachment to the bow before getting up. He was due at the palace to celebrate Tara’s consecration as Queen.

He gave me a look of disgust.

“You are permitted to stay for one night. I want you out by tomorrow. I won’t have Tara’s joy soured by your presence—”

Before Sylas could finish, I lunged for the arrow on the ground.

I plunged the sharp tip into my chest.

Color drained from Sylas’ face.