Chapter 31 New Beginnings
Daisy sat, pondering, as her brush coaxed the faint image of a striking profile onto the paper.
The crown prince… Two more years had to pass before she could follow her father to the capital and seal their betrothal. The waiting gnawed at her, and, staring at the penciled profile, she could not stop a sigh from slipping out.
Adonis called from a few steps away, “Everything was fine moments ago. Why the sigh, Daisy?”
She hurried to hide the portrait. “It’s really nothing. At the Spring Gala, I’m sure your calligraphy will be chosen by the teacher.”
After all, in two years, Adonis would rise as the third–honor graduate of the national civil exams, his fluid semi–cursive handwriting becoming famous, copied by scholars across the realm.
Adonis‘ brow creased. The truth was his handwriting remained mediocre, little better than average at the academy. For days, a sense of restlessness had stalked him, as though the life he wore did not fit.
He forced a light laugh. “Whether I’m chosen doesn’t matter–What counts is that you are. You’re the brilliant one.”
Daisy tipped her head mysteriously. “This time, we’ll both shine, and Neville will steal the spotlight as well. I’m sure.” A secretive smile played across her lips.
Adonis blinked. “And what makes you think that?”
In the previous life, she had seen it. During the tournament, Neville would meet his benefactor, who would vault him into the army and to meteoric success.
From that moment, the Francis family’s good days would truly begin. However, she could not share that secret with Adonis yet.
Daisy laughed softly. “You’ll see soon enough.”
It was early spring, and the mild breeze hinted that winter was finally over. Sadie returned from the academy and slipped into the west wing, where Zephyr was already poring over the sheets of practice calligraphy she had left behind.
“Today, I showed my work to Mr. Jenkins,” she said, her cheeks glowing with pride. “He called the improvement remarkable and asked me to complete a full piece so he could hang it in Sunlit Arcade.”
She was so happy that the moment she reached the Gates Estate, she headed straight for the west wing to tell him that.
Zephyr traced the inked characters with his gaze. Gone was the overly rigid dainty penmanship; in its place flowed bright, tranquil strokes.
Life itself seemed to pulse inside the paper.
“You have improved,” he said approvingly.
Sadie lowered her voice, trying to keep the delight from cracking open into a grin. “I heard they chose only three from the girls‘ class,” she said. “It’s thanks to you, Lord Zephyr. I don’t know how to repay you, so I bought Dragon’s Beard Candy at the market. Alex told me you like it.” She drew a small paper parcel from her sleeve and set it before him with careful ceremony. She knew money meant nothing to Zephyr, and
antiques held little charm for him. This sweet, however, might link her to him whenever he tasted it, leaving an impression of her as harmless and pleasant as sugar itself.
Unsure whether he would accept, she lowered her gaze and twisted the edge of her handkerchief. “I once misunderstood you, Lord Zephyr, and allowed a crack to form between us. From today on, I will honor you as I honor Grandmother.”
Honor me? Amusement lit the sculpted lines of Zephyr’s face. He was only nineteen. Did she already think of him as an old man? A faint, almost teasing smile curved his lips.
He asked, “A misunderstanding? Exactly what sort of man did you think I was, Miss Francis?”
She fumbled. “I… I thought you might be the type who looks kind but hides a darker heart.”
“Kind face, black heart,” Zephyr repeated, his expression unreadable. A chill crept up Sadie’s spine.
She cleared her throat and rushed on. “Of course, I see now that you’re a good man, handsome, accomplished in statecraft and war, and a master of calligraphy. You’re nearly perfect. Learning under you will benefit me all my life.” As she spoke, she glanced up to gauge his reaction.
Sadie’s ambition ran deeper than a single gift. She wanted Zephyr to see her as someone he had personally nurtured. Look at me. I cherish family as you do. I’m your stepsister, a loyal companion to your young brother, and the calligraphy I practice is the style you taught. We are connected in a hundred subtle ways, and people tend to protect the younger version of themselves they recognize in another. If I can secure your goodwill, the Gates family will accept me. This is the surest path.
✩
