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Chapter 62: Returning to the Palace
publish date:
2026-07-20 15:52:26
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The Mark Of Orathyn Chapter 67: Morning in the Northern Kingdom
The palace was already awake by the time the first light spilled across the eastern towers. Servants moved through the corridors with fresh flowers, polished trays, baskets of warm bread from the kitchens, while somewhere below the steady clash of swords rang up from the training grounds and birds filled the gardens with noise of their own.Pearl stood out on her balcony, taking it all in. The kingdom stretched out beneath her — snow-capped mountains catching the morning light, forests rolling out in every shade of green, and beyond them villages just beginning to stir, smoke curling up from their chimneys. She rested her hands on the cool stone railing. It was beautiful. Peaceful. For the first time in years, she'd slept the whole night through without waking to check for danger.A knock broke into her thoughts."Come in."The door opened just enough for a young maid to slip inside. "Good morning, Miss Ashbourne.""Good morning.""Her Majesty asked me to let you know breakfast is in
The Mark Of Orathyn Chapter 66: Between Books and Unspoken Things
The royal library sat unusually quiet. Tall windows looked out over the moonlit gardens, and rows of books climbed into shadow beneath the high ceiling. A fire crackled low in the corner, filling the room with a warmth that made it easy to lose track of time — which was exactly what Lucien had done.He sat at his usual table with Elias's journal open in front of him, boxed in by a small fortress of history books he'd somehow talked himself into needing. He hadn't noticed the hour. He hadn't noticed the servants slipping in to replace the burnt candles. He hadn't even noticed the door.Not until a familiar voice cut through the quiet."I knew I'd find you here."A smile found him before he could stop it. Rosalie stood in the doorway, arms folded, watching him with fond disbelief."I was reading.""I can see that." She crossed the room and eyed the stack surrounding him. "Were you planning to sleep here?""I hadn't decided.""I think you had." She laughed, then picked up one especially
The Mark Of Orathyn Chapter 65: Whispers Beneath the Moon
The palace gardens emptied slowly as the night wore on. Finn finally admitted defeat after Astrid told him that wandering the palace past midnight would almost certainly end with him lost somewhere in it. He protested for a solid five minutes before Rowan quietly offered to walk him to the guest wing."You're all against me," Finn declared."We're protecting the palace," Astrid said."I'm not that dangerous.""No." She looked him over. "You're worse."Finn laughed, falling into step behind Rowan. "I've decided you're my favorite person.""I wasn't asking.""I know. That's what makes it interesting."Their voices faded into the palace behind them.Lucien closed the journal under his arm and turned to Rosalie. "I was planning to spend a little while in the library.""Tonight?""I've been trying not to read Elias's journal since we got back.""I noticed.""I've shown incredible restraint.""You've complained about it six times.""Might've been seven."She smiled. "Go. I'll survive withou
The Mark Of Orathyn Chapter 64: The Palace After Sunset
The palace felt different after dinner. By day its corridors rang with council meetings, servants darting between tasks, soldiers moving through their rounds. By evening, everything slowed. Lanterns cast a warm gold light over the stone walls, voices dropped to something quieter, and the fortress felt less like the heart of a kingdom and more like somebody's home.Mira led the group through a maze of hallways like she'd walked them a thousand times. "I know a shortcut.""You always say that," Lucien said."Because I always find one."Finn glanced around, hopelessly turned around already. "I've been here less than a day and I'm already lost.""You'd get lost in your own house," Astrid said."I prefer the term 'directionally adventurous.'""No one prefers that term."Rosalie laughed as they rounded another corner. "I think he's just making words up now.""He definitely is," Lucien agreed.Pearl trailed behind, taking the palace in from a different angle than she had that morning. Earlie
The Mark Of Orathyn Chapter 63: A Seat at the Royal Table
The scent of freshly baked bread and roasted herbs greeted them long before they reached the dining hall. Pearl hadn't realized how hungry she was until her stomach reminded her — loudly enough that Mira heard it too.She turned with exaggerated seriousness. "I knew it.""Knew what?" Pearl blinked."You're starving." Before Pearl could defend herself, Mira hooked an arm through hers and started tugging her toward the dining hall. "You should never argue with an empty stomach."Evren watched the scene unfold with a smile. "I see you've been adopted.""I've noticed," Pearl said, glancing back over her shoulder.Mira looked thoroughly pleased with herself. "There wasn't much choice.""I should probably apologize," Freya said, laughing."I don't mind," Pearl said, shaking her head."I'm glad," Freya said warmly. "Neither do we."The dining hall was already prepared. A long oak table stretched through the center of the room, covered with polished silverware, steaming dishes, fresh fruit, r
The Mark Of Orathyn Chapter 62: Returning to the Palace
The royal palace came into view just as the afternoon sun began sinking toward the western hills. Its white stone towers rose proudly above the surrounding forests, banners dancing lazily in the breeze. From a distance, the fortress looked exactly as Pearl remembered it. Yet somehow it felt different — not because the palace had changed, but because she had.As they crossed the great bridge leading to the main gates, the guards recognized Evren at once."Your Highness!"Every soldier straightened in unison. Evren raised a hand with an easy smile. "At ease." Several guards greeted Rowan with respectful nods before their attention shifted to the rest of the group, and one older guard smiled warmly at Pearl."It's good to see you back, Miss Ashbourne."The greeting caught her off guard. "It's good to be back," she said, smiling politely.Rosalie noticed the surprise on Pearl's face as they rode through the gates. "You didn't expect that.""I've only been here a short time," Pearl said, s
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