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Ch 35: Sweetened bitterness

Author: Riareads
last update Last Updated: 2025-07-27 02:08:56

The embroidery needle paused between my fingers, hovering over the delicate floral needlework that no longer held my focus. I'd tried all morning to quiet my mind with the meticulous stitch work that my mother once claimed could cure even the most restless soul.

But not today. Not when my soul felt like a wound still bleeding and aching.

A knock sounded on the door.

"Come in," I said without looking up.

My maid, Lara, stepped in quietly, her hands folded before her apron. "My lady."

I nodded, resuming my needlework with feigned calm.

"I've brought you a fresh pot of tea," she said, setting the tray down on the side table. "And....some honeyed biscuits."

I nodded, again.

She didn't budge.

"Thank you, Lara," I said my voice shadowed with tiredness. "Is there anything else?"

She hesitated. "Lord Darell and the his grace went out hunting in the southern woods."

I didn't reply, but my hands stilled.

She then continued, carefully. "I told Lady Coral as you instructed. That you were unwell
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  • The War Bride    Ch 35: Sweetened bitterness

    The embroidery needle paused between my fingers, hovering over the delicate floral needlework that no longer held my focus. I'd tried all morning to quiet my mind with the meticulous stitch work that my mother once claimed could cure even the most restless soul.But not today. Not when my soul felt like a wound still bleeding and aching.A knock sounded on the door."Come in," I said without looking up.My maid, Lara, stepped in quietly, her hands folded before her apron. "My lady."I nodded, resuming my needlework with feigned calm."I've brought you a fresh pot of tea," she said, setting the tray down on the side table. "And....some honeyed biscuits."I nodded, again.She didn't budge."Thank you, Lara," I said my voice shadowed with tiredness. "Is there anything else?"She hesitated. "Lord Darell and the his grace went out hunting in the southern woods."I didn't reply, but my hands stilled.She then continued, carefully. "I told Lady Coral as you instructed. That you were unwell

  • The War Bride    Ch 34: The day of small hurts

    I placed the teacup down with careful deliberation, the porcelain making a soft click on the tray. I rose from the chair, smoothing the folds of my skirts as I stood.Darrell looked up, his eyes briefly catching mine."I'll return to my tasks then," I said, my voice steady despite the strange ache forming in my chest.But as I turned to leave, his voice came again. "We're not done with the ledgers.""We?" I turned to look at him. Who was 'we'? He'd been working on the ledgers alone. He nodded, then put his head back down on the ledgers. "My lord," I called. "I've been seated there, just sipping tea, while you work alone on the ledgers you called me here for.""And?" What was wrong with this man? His nonchalance, him acting like whatever he was doing wasn't strange. Him making me the strange one."Thank you," I said, sighing. "I enjoyed the breakfast. And watching you work the ledgers was quite inspiring and I've learnt a lot.""Have you?" He asked, still not looking up."Yes, My l

  • The War Bride    Ch 33: wife in the office

    The next day arrived with a pale hush, the kind that signaled the seasons were changing. The chill no longer bit as sharply, and the frost that once clung stubbornly to the windows had begun to melt into soft beads of dew.I sat at the vanity, fingers deftly adjusting the ribbon at my collar, my gaze distant.Yesterday, after Darrell left my chambers, I'd finally opened my letter.It was from my mother—gentle, warm and full of the things I hadn't realized I missed so much. She wrote of quite hopes for my well being, her prayers reaching across the miles. She mentioned that my father had with my brothers to help quell a riot near the southern border. And that once it was resolved, my brother Edmund and his wife, who was now expecting, would be moving into a new home of their own.A simple letter.But it had left me aching.The world was changing. My world. I was playing wife. I was no longer the go—merry young lady of the mountains. And the letter reminded me that.I reached for my glo

  • The War Bride    Ch 32: Strangers still

    My heart lifted before I could stop it.The Valdemont crest.After weeks of silence..... finally.I didn't want for permission or pleasantries. My skirts swept behind me as I turned and hurried up the stone path, taking the side stairs two at a time. Darrell had said the letter was sent to my chambers.I reached the door, flinging it open.Empty.The room greeted me with its usual stillness. No scrolls on the desk, no sealed parchment on the table, nothing slipped under the door or resting on the velvet bench near the window.I blinked, stepping in slowly, confused. Perhaps the maid hadn't brought it yet. Darrell said he sent it, not that he had delivered it himself.I turned sharply at the sound of soft footsteps behind me.My maid, Lara, entered with a small curtsy and smile. "My lady, shall I bring your evening shawl—""Lara," I cut in, "has anyone given you a letter for me? From Lord Darrell or anyone else?"Her brows furrowed. "A letter? No, my lady. I've just come from the linen

  • The War Bride    Ch 31: Ghosts and truths

    Julian was fast asleep when we stepped inside Coral's chambers. His tiny chest rising and falling with the gentlest of rhythms. He looked peaceful, utterly untouched by the chaos he'd narrowly escaped.Coral's face softened the instant she saw him.The maid stood from her chair near the cot and offered a smile. "He just fed, my lady. I tucked him in moments ago."Coral nodded and moved slowly towards her bed. "Thank you. You may leave us."The maid gave a curtsy and slipped out quietly.I crossed to the other side of the room, watching as Coral eased herself onto the edge of the bed. Her fingers rubbed absently at her temples.I spoke first, "He might not know."She looked up at me, her voice not convinced. "He might."Her hands dropped to her lap as she stared at Julian, wrapped safely in linens of soft blue and ivory."Perhaps he found him," she murmured. "Or maybe it was Lady Annalise....am scared, Cici."I sat beside her. "Then I'll find out. See if he's guessing or he knows."She

  • The War Bride    Ch 30:He might know

    The scent of warm bread and sweet compote hung in the air as I sat at the edge of the dining table, my gaze drawn to the window.The snow was finally.Slush gathered at the base of the trees and trickled in tiny rivulets down the stone paths. The manor grounds looked waterlogged, worn but free. Like the house itself was exhaling after holding its breath too long.So much had happened this season.Too much.I was still staring when a quiet throat clearing made me jump.Lucien stood behind me, a hand half raised in apology. "I didn't mean to startle you."I placed a hand over my chest, laughing nervously. "You just....caught me deep in thoughts."He smiled faintly, before taking a step forward. "Understandable. It's been a long winter.""And longer days," I replied, eyes flicking over him. His tunic was perfectly pressed, dark hair tied back loosely, a ribbon at his wrist that didn't match the rest of his clothing. A ribbon that looked familiar.He stepped to the nearest chair and pulle

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