When they entered the library, Ayla stopped breathing. It wasn’t her first time in a library. She spent time in the royal library of Myrthana. But the Royal Library of Nordmar was at least twice as big as the one in Myrthana. Shelf after shelf of books and more books, from the floor to the ceiling. Sofas and armchairs, tables and chairs were close to the bookshelves. Furs covered the floor, and magic crystals were placed around the library. Men and women, rich and poor, occupied some sofas and armchairs, reading. A few children sat at some tables, writing or drawing. In the middle of the library stood a round table made from marble with a map on top of it. Ayla’s mouth must have dropped to the floor because the King chuckled. “What do you think?” he asked. Not taking her eyes off the books, Ayla replied, “It is... breathtaking.” “I agree,” the King said, his voice low. “What do you want to see first?” Ayla looked around, and her eyes fell once mo

Ayla kept staring at him until the King finished his training, sheathed his sword, turned, and looked straight at her, his eyes full of anger. Was he still upset about what she had told him the previous day? She got away from the window as fast as she could. She could not believe he caught her staring at him like she was some kind of Peeping Tom. For the remainder of the day, Ayla kept her distance from the window, scared that King Rhobart would still be in the Royal Garden. So, she sat on the bed and read or napped. The next day, when the maid brought her breakfast, she also brought a book. Ayla picked it up, excited to read it. She wondered if it was full of stories about Paladins and dragons or princesses that went on adventures. The maid left, leaving Ayla alone. She sat at the table, smiling until her eyes fell on the title—”Manners and Etiquette: A guide for proper ladies.” ‘How dare he? Bastard!’ Ayla thought before throwing the book across the room. She forg

Close to dawn, Nordmar was already blooming with activity. Hunters were departing to track game in the dense forests, woodcutters were sharpening their axes, or fishermen were returning from nearby lakes. The Royal Palace was as busy as the rest of Nordmar. From the cook preparing breakfast to the maid serving it. From the butcher bringing fresh meat to the stable boy preparing horses for riders. It was during this time that Ayla, dressed in dark brown pants made from the hide of a mountain troll, a matching jacket, warm black boots and gloves made from the hide of a buffalo and stuffed with polar bear fur, and a white cloak made from the fur of a shadowbeast, stepped out of the castle and headed to the Royal Stables. A young servant accompanied her. The Royal Palace of Nordmar was in the heart of the kingdom. Long before the First War with the Orcs, only Snow Elves lived in Nordmar—the Frozen Land. When humans crossed the Jade River and claimed the North belonged to the

The King approached her. “I always knew you were spoiled, but for you to have never mounted a horse. If you expect to sit in a carriage with your ass on a velvet cushion, then forget about it!” Ayla tried to reason with the King. “I will slow everyone down.” “I am aware, and I am already starting to regret taking you with me. Gorn, bring me her horse.” The Paladin brought a chestnut mare. “Then let me stay in the palace. I will work and....” Ayla said fast. King Rhobart chimed in. “Work? You? You can’t even sew, not even if your life depends on it.” Ayla blinked. Did Galian tell King Rhobart how useless she was? That no matter how much she tried and practiced, her attempts to embroider looked worse than those of a five-year-old child? Her grandma had Ayla sew so much that she now hated doing it. But it still hurt to know how little the King thought of her. But damn if she would let the King show how much his words hurt her. The King kept speaking. “

Ayla slept poorly that night, not only because her ass felt as if it was on fire but because she could hear Milton and the King arguing in low voices. She wished she could have understood them, but it was a bit difficult when they kept talking in old Nordmarian. It was a strange language with difficult pronunciations, but Ayla was determined more than ever to learn it. When they would return to the Royal Palace, she would spend as much time as possible in the Royal Library studying books in old Nordmarian. Maybe she would find someone to help her learn it. She knew she could always ask Milton for help, but she didn't want the King to learn of her plans. When Gorn and Tizgar woke up, Ayla was still ashamed of what had happened the previous night. But she knew she could not hide beneath the furs and hoped everyone would magically forget what had happened. She gritted her teeth, got up, arranged her cloak and gathered her furs and blanket, and tied them to Star's saddle. After that,