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Chapter 28: The Greenhouse Confession
publish date:
2026-08-16 05:18:38
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The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 61: Divine Tension
"Stand here," Elder Wren said, pointing to the edge of the circle. "Beside the Grand Duke, as before.”The training yard had been cleared for the rite, the snow packed hard beneath our feet. Elysia stood across from us in pale ceremonial white, her attendants behind her. She had requested the blessing for the raided Morryn villages the morning after she arrived, and Evren had agreed before I could say anything.I spent the walk reminding myself that this was only a ceremony, one I had been through before. It did little to calm me. My hands stayed cold inside my gloves despite the warmth of my coat.Cedric had brought me Elder Wren’s note an hour earlier. I had asked twice if the rite could be postponed, but he reminded me that the villages had already been notified and grieving families were on their way. That settled it. Whatever this cost me, it was better than making those families wait another week to have their dead named.Now that I stood at the edge of the circle, I wished I ha
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 60: Kael's Impossible Schedule
“You’re up early,” Kael said without turning.I hadn't heard myself make a sound as I crossed the courtyard, yet he already knew I was there. He was checking a saddle by torchlight, the sky still more black than grey. “How did you know it was me?”“Nobody else tries that hard to be quiet.” He tightened the girth and moved to the next horse. “Shouldn’t you be asleep? Evren’s meeting with the Solaris envoy this morning. I thought you’d want to be there.”“He told me not to come. Something about not wanting Adrian to have two Frostmane faces to deal with.” I fell into step beside him. “So I’m free until midday, and I’ve decided to make that your problem.”“Your problem?”“I want to see what you actually do all day. Not just the part where you show up after something has already gone wrong.”Kael studied me for a moment, probably deciding whether it was worth arguing. In the end, he only shrugged, took a spare cloak from the hook beside the stable door, and handed it to me. “Suit yourself
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 59: Lord Adrian of Solaris
"She's gone. You can come out.”I stepped out of the alcove beside the east stair. "I wasn't hiding.”"You've been there for fifteen minutes.”"Fine. I was hiding." I leaned against the wall. "That's the third time she's asked me to go on a prayer walk in two days. I agreed the first time, made an excuse the second, and I'm running out of excuses. If I turn her down again, she'll probably pray for good weather and ask me tomorrow.”Evren looked up with a faint smile."I have something else for you. A rider from Solaris reached the gate last night after everyone had gone to bed. Their envoy is coming this afternoon. He wants to start the spring trade talks early, before Godric decides what happens to the southern grain routes. Solaris depends heavily on those roads for grain and cloth, so Verenne's claim affects them too. I'd rather hear where they stand from their envoy than from a letter.”"And they're arriving now, with Elysia here?”"I noticed the timing." He folded his arms. "Sola
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 58: Elysia Arrives
Three days later, Cedric joined us at breakfast, ledger in hand, snow melting from his boots onto the floor Nella had just scrubbed.“Nothing useful yet, Your Grace,” he said before Evren could ask. “No unfamiliar faces have come through the gate in the last week besides the three from Verenne. The guards don’t remember seeing a raven leave either. Whoever sent the letter either works inside the keep and covered their tracks, or found another way to get the message to that bird.”“So whoever sent it was willing to take a risk.”“Or someone wanted us looking inward instead of watching the road,” I said.“Could be both.” Evren turned his cup between his hands. “For the next few days, we act like we trust everyone. Until we know what we’re dealing with, we trust no one.”“That won’t be easy to maintain.”“It rarely is. We’ll manage.” He looked at Cedric. “Keep Ilsa and Perrin in the kitchens. Berta can keep an eye on them there. Put Doran somewhere Astrid can watch him without making it
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 57: Aftermath Whispers
By morning, the great hall had already begun to lose the traces of the feast. Servants cleared the last dishes from the tables while two younger ones took down the evergreen garlands, trying not to scatter needles across the floor they had already swept twice. The shutters stood open, letting out the smell of smoke and spiced wine and bringing in cold morning air that felt almost welcome.I stayed by the cold hearth longer than I meant to, too tired to be useful and too restless to sleep. My feet still ached from dancing, but my thoughts kept returning to Lucan's face as he left, Godric's threat, and the way Doran had looked away when he caught me watching him.Agnes was passing through with a folded blanket when she noticed me by the hearth. She stopped and looked me over. "You should be resting, not sitting here counting soot stains.”"I am resting. I'm just sitting up.”"That's not resting. That's sulking with better posture." She settled the blanket over my shoulders, tucking it a
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 56: Feast of Thawing
“Your Grace, this spiced wine is wonderful.” The wife of a minor lord lifted her glass. “Whoever chose it deserves a raise.”“I’ll tell Chef Magnus. He nearly started a fight over that recipe, so he’ll be pleased to hear you liked it.”She laughed and moved on. I took a breath before turning to the next guest.The great hall looked completely different from that morning. Evergreen garlands hung from the beams, and dozens of lanterns lit the room. The tables were crowded with roasted meats and Magnus’s citrus-glazed goose, already carved and ready to serve. Pale winter roses had been placed along the linens, grown early in the greenhouse. Music came from the gallery above, mixing with the voices and laughter of the guests. I hadn't heard the keep this lively since before the mountain pass.I moved through the hall as Astrid had taught me at the imperial court, keeping my posture straight and taking my time with each guest. Still, this was easier than court. These people weren't waiting
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