Todos os capítulos de By Order of the King: Capítulo 101 - Capítulo 110

Malcolm sat at the table while Fiona stood beside him, serving food. They turned their gazes in that direction when they heard the door open. Fiona straightened her back, smiled, and held a spoon. "Welcome home, my little girl. We were waiting for you, but you were late, and your father was so hungry. Come and sit with us; you must be hungry."Iona slowly dragged her feet to the table and sat down. "They gave us food in the castle, but I will eat with you too," Iona said."Really?" Fiona asked, clearly impressed. "I didn't expect that.""So, what did they give you to eat? The lords' leftovers, I presume," Malcolm sneered.Iona shook her head. "No, Father. They fed us the potatoes and vegetables that I peeled and washed," she said, emphasizing her words, and pressed her fingers to her chest to point to herself. "They were boiled with a little meat," she added, finishing her sentence.Fiona finished serving and sat down as well. She looked at Iona with concern. "I'm sorry, my little gir

"Keep pressing your finger, I'll be right back," Talisha instructed."Okay," Iona murmured, her voice tighter than usual.As Talisha walked away, Iona's gaze followed her, watching as she exchanged words with Maysie, though she couldn't quite catch them. Maysie left hurriedly while Talisha shifted to another counter where Fergus cut meat with a cleaver.Iona wrinkled her nose. Was it necessary to leave here, too? He had always annoyed her, and now that she was forced to see him more often than when they still lived in their castle, the sight of him was even more unsettling.Anice was nowhere to be found. Bored of scanning the kitchen, she let her eyes rest on the wooden surface before her.She pressed harder against her injured finger, biting her lip at the sharp, unrelenting sting. Talisha was taking too long, making keeping her thoughts at bay difficult for Iona.And so, they spilled out.Hector's unmasked face rose in front of her, more vivid than before.Her stomach tightened.“Af

The blacksmith's shop was alive with movement—the heat, the rhythmic pounding of metal, the scent of fire and iron saturating the air.Dougal had been tasked with finishing repairs, mostly farm tools that their owners needed immediately.Today, more than usual had arrived—an endless parade of damaged axes, broken plows, and rusted hinges—all demanding to be fixed before sundown.At the back of the shop, his father was busy at work, shaping new tools with steady determination.Each time he brought the hammer down, a loud, resonant sound filled the workshop, mixing with the dance of shifting shadows. The warm light from the forge lit up the stone walls, creating a sparkling effect as heat spread through the air. It was hard work, unyielding work—but after so many years, his father made it look easy.The summers had been brutal, the forge’s heat turning the shop into a suffocating trap. But now, with winter settling in and the cold pressing against the walls, the furnace’s fire was no l

The next morning, as Iona stirred from sleep, her first instinct was to check her finger. She worked carefully, unwrapping the fabric in slow, deliberate motions. The dim pre-dawn light made her squint, but as her wound came into view, her breath caught.Talisha was right.The gash was gone, replaced only by a faint, pink line. Iona pressed the skin cautiously. Nothing. No pain.She exhaled. Good. Now, she could get back to her miserable duties.If she were honest, though, she wasn't eager to return to them. What she feared most was the possibility of being cast aside and dismissed as useless. The fulfillment of her plan depended on her position, no matter how humiliating. She had to endure. Because one day, she would be rewarded.Years of brilliance awaited her—if she could endure a few months of suffering.She let out a slow breath, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. Time to get up.A humming sound drifted from outside, low and restless."It's windy today," she thought, a str

Talisha smiled against Skye's shoulder. "Right decision," she said, stroking her hair. "And if you want, we can invite some of Hector's friends, especially Lennox and Eithne—I know you've been close to them. What do you say?"Skye nodded, pressing her chin lightly against Talisha's shoulder, seeking comfort in the warmth of her presence."Excellent. I'll tell Glenn to prepare the invitations for Eithne and Lennox. For the rest of the guests, I'll discuss it with Hector first to choose who else to invite. Since the king is away, I suggest only young people—those who have the appetite and stamina for fun."Skye let out a soft, imperceptible laugh, a breath of lightness curling past her lips—the first in the last days."Discuss this with Hector. I don't want him to be misunderstood by offended people who weren't invited.""Okay. I'll do whatever you want. I'll discuss it with Hector."Talisha gently pulled away, her hands resting on Skye's forearms for a moment as if to reassure her befo