جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 90

The celebration lingered long after the last slice of cake had been served. Children's laughter gradually faded as one family after another made their way toward the front of the estate. Servants stood by the entrance, thanking each guest as cars rolled slowly down the long driveway and disappeared beyond the gates. The silver and white ribbons still fluttered gently in the evening breeze. Fresh flowers lined the pathways exactly as they had that morning, though now a few petals had scattered across the stone paths, evidence of a day well spent. I stood on the front steps beside Kael, watching the final guests prepare to leave. Lily waved enthusiastically through the open car window. "Bye, Aurelia!" "Bye!" Aurelia waved both hands so vigorously I was half-afraid she'd lose her balance. "You have to come over again!" "I will!" The car pulled away, disappearing through the gates. For a few moments... None of us spoke. The estate, so full of life only minutes ago, seemed t

As we finished dinner, I set my teacup down. "Kael?" He looked up from the report he'd been reading. "Yes?" "I've been thinking about one of the welfare reports." He closed the folder without hesitation, giving me his full attention. "The complaints about widows and orphans?" I nodded. "I don't want to rely only on written reports." "I'd like to visit the Blackwood orphanage myself." For a moment, he simply regarded me. Then he asked, "When?" "Tomorrow, if possible." He considered it briefly before nodding. "That can be arranged." Relief settled quietly over me. "I was hoping to take food, blankets, books... whatever they might need most." His expression remained calm. "Speak with the estate steward in the morning." I blinked. "That's all?" A faint smile touched the corner of his mouth. "What answer were you expecting?" "I thought..." I laughed softly. "...perhaps I'd need to convince you." "You've already convinced me." His answ

The following morning... The administrative block felt busier than usual. Messengers came and went with rolled parchments tucked beneath their arms. Even before I reached my own desk, I could hear several conversations taking place behind half-open doors. "The Ashbourne Pack has confirmed their delegation." "The North Ridge representatives have requested additional accommodation." "The musicians from Randsone have accepted the invitation." The Midsummer Summit was becoming so real. I had barely settled into my chair when a knock sounded at the door. "Come in." Elder Rowan entered carrying a leather-bound folder. "Good morning, Luna." "Good morning." He placed the folder neatly in front of me. "I imagine you've realised by now that preparations have begun in earnest." "I have." "And I also imagine you've discovered that hosting a Summit is rather different from reading about one." I smiled. "That's one way of putting it." The corner of his mouth li

I closed the notebook I had been reviewing and glanced out of the window. The afternoon light had long since given way to evening. I hadn't realised how late it had become. Gathering my things, I left the administrative block. It occurred to me that I spent more time here now than I did in my own room. Not that I minded. I'd often wondered how I would fill my days in such a vast estate. I'd wanted something meaningful to do. Now... I almost had more work than there were hours in the day. By the time I reached the dining room, Kael was already there. He looked up as I entered. "Good evening." "Good evening." Aurelia, who had been swinging her feet impatiently beneath her chair, brightened immediately. "Aria!" "You're late." I smiled apologetically as I took my seat. "I know." "I lost track of time." She gasped dramatically. "Miss Agatha says grown-ups always say that." I laughed. "Miss Agatha may have a point." Satisfied with my answer, A

The next few days passed in a blur of preparations. Every morning seemed to bring another list to review. Every afternoon, another decision to make. By the time the estate had settled into its new rhythm... The first advance messengers finally started arriving. The atmosphere shifted almost immediately. Footsteps echoed through the corridors from dawn until dusk. Servants moved briskly between the guest wing and the main house carrying fresh linens and polished silver trays. Footmen moved back and forth between the entrance and the guest wing, carrying trunks and travel cases from the arriving cars, while others made final inspection of the guest rooms to ensure everything was exactly as Nathaniel had ordered. By the time I reached the administrative block, several folders were already waiting on my desk. Each contained the details of a messenger who had arrived over the past three days. Some had reached Blackwood the previous afternoon. Others had arrived only