Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 61 - Chapitre 70

Elaine waved at Corren one final time with a genuine, smile before leaving the arena grounds. Kael watched the exchange with a fury he had no outlet for. He really had to hold back so as not to lash out. Was she doing this on purpose, provoking him on purpose. How could she offer him nothing but a stiff, reluctant bow without any smile, and then turn around and beam so freely at some man from the Vale household. He stormed out of the arena before Lira, who'd been trying to catch his attention all afternoon, could manage to say a single word to him.In Evie's private study, the sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the closed door. None of the household staff dared approach. They'd learned long ago that their mistress's fury, once unleashed, made stepping anywhere near her dangerous."How could this happen." Evie's voice cracked as she clutched an aging photograph in one trembling hand. "I got rid of you, and now your bastard daughter crawls back into my life, trying to overshad

"Elaine, you're wanted by Master Wu." Sana's voice called through the doorway just as the twenty minutes ran out. Elaine hadn't managed to rest at all, her mind was too preoccupied cycling through possibilities about her afternoon instructor."Sana, do you happen to know who'll be training me this afternoon?" She caught Sana's hand, giving her the most pleading, innocent look she could manage."Come along. That trick won't work on me this time." Sana laughed softly despite herself. "I genuinely don't know who's coming either. I'm simply here to fetch you."She dragged Elaine along regardless. Elaine kept peppering her with the same question in different phrasings the entire walk, hoping something might slip."What's taken you two so long? Hurry, the guest is waiting." Renn appeared ahead of them, clearly having been sent to speed things along."Renn, who's coming to train me today?" Elaine redirected her efforts toward him instead, leaving a thoroughly amused Sana behind."That isn't

"Good evening, Mr. Barnes." Celeste's voice rang out through the hall, and Vicky froze mid turn. She had one hand still braced against the banister. She'd recognize that voice anywhere. That same soft, saccharine tone that had spoken so openly and shamelessly about Ray at the office."Good evening, Celeste. How are you doing." Mr. Barnes offered a polite yet tight smile as he reached the bottom step. He could already sense how uncomfortable this encounter would be for Vicky. He genuinely couldn't understand how his son remained this clueless. Everyone in the household knew exactly how much Ray cherished Vicky, and though she rarely showed it openly, everyone could see how deeply she cared for him in return. How his son managed to destroy his own love life baffled him completely."Oh, Vicky, I didn't realize you were here." Celeste's gaze flicked over Vicky's simple house dress. Her tone was sly and pointed. "Still relying on the Barnes family's hospitality…. I see…..Must be really nic

Chapter 68The last subtle sound the assassin made died before he even registered what had happened. Kael stood behind him with a cold, unyielding gaze as the man collapsed to the ground. How dare he attempt to harm his woman, and right under his own watch. He moved swiftly toward the other man, already finished off by Elaine, and plunged his knife through him anyway, leaving nothing to chance. All four assassins now lay lifeless across the ground. Elaine stood slightly sweaty, glaring pointedly at the man before her."You decided to leave me to fend for myself." Elaine threw the words at him, stepping over a fallen body as she made her way toward her quarters. "Hmph. So much for the Council head, running from a fight, especially one where he's supposedly meant to protect a woman.""Where do you think you're going, 'fragile woman'?" He let out a small laugh, catching her wrist before she could get far."Let go of me." She struggled against his grip, though his hold only tightened. He

Kael, equally invested in learning the truth about Elaine's mother, kept her hand held firmly in his as they settled onto the study's leather sofa. Renn excused himself quietly, leaving only the three of them behind the closed door."Your mother," Master Wu began, his voice carries nostalgia, "was the finest fighter of her generation, perhaps the finest this land had seen in a hundred years. She earned her reputation before she'd even reached twenty, defeating opponents twice her age with a precision that left even seasoned masters speechless. Suitors lined up for her attention constantly, sons from every prominent household in Vaelmoor, each one convinced he'd be the one to finally win her heart."He paused as a faint, fond smile touched his lips."Unfortunately for all those suitors,she had eyes for only one man;Ellery Kessler, the Council president at the time. He was sharp minded and every bit her equal in skill. The two of them together were something this land hadn't witnessed b