Scomed Heir’s Second Life: The Rebirth That Made My Brothers Weep
Chapter 60 Apprentice Denied
* Finished
Daisy could only marvel that Alexander dared to call the venerable officer nothing more than “Mr. Godfrey.
Godfrey fixed Alexander with a warning glare, then turned to Daisy. “I have already accepted Alexander’s tea of apprenticeship, so it would be improper to take presents from anyone else. Besides, I see little sincerity from Neville. Miss Daisy, you should return home.”
Humiliation rooted Daisy to the spot.
How could it come to this? If General Hawke accepts another student, what chance does Neville have? Without the general’s support, how will my brother ever rise to deputy commander of the Imperial Guards? And when I marry the crown prince, who will lead the guard of honor and let me shine?
When the maid gently steered Daisy toward the door, she had no choice but to drift out, hollow–eyed and lost.
That same morning, Godfrey announced that Alexander’s lessons would begin at once. Because the boy’s injured leg still refused to bear weight, the general began with theory instead and taught the art of war through ink–stained maps rather than drill on the parade ground.
Armed with his crutch, Alexander waved at Sadie with a helpless grin. “I won’t be home until nightfall, so promise you and Grandmother will wait and have supper with me.”
Sadie nodded.
Outside Hawke Manor, the autumn light caught Sadie’s cloak as she stepped through the gate, only to find Daisy still pacing before the carved stone lions. Their eyes locked, tension crackling in the narrow space between them.
Daisy demanded, “You were reborn as well, weren’t you?”
Sadie lifted a brow. “Reborn? I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
“In the previous life, it was Neville who apprenticed under General Hawke,” Daisy hissed, voice quivering with accusation. “You hate us so much that you’ve stolen the opportunity that was his by fate. Is that it? Do you mean to destroy us?”
Sadie answered with a silent, faint smile.
What opportunity ever belonged to Neville? I was the one who secured it for him last time. In this life, he is simply reclaiming the place that should have been his from the
She cocked her head in mock bewilderment. “Daisy, are you unwell? You keep talking nonsense–rebirth, destiny–I don’t understand a word.”
Daisy’s breaths turned shallow, yet Sadie’s refusal left her powerless to press the claim.
“Grandmother is waiting for me,” Sadie said with impeccable courtesy. She tipped a polite nod, took Katy’s hand, and climbed into the carriage.
Once seated, she lifted one corner of the curtain, curiosity flickering in her dark eyes.
Below, Daisy hurled the box of pastries to the ground; crumbs scattered while fury colored her pretty face.
Just then, Neville cantered past on horseback.
Chapter 60 Apprentice Denied)
Vaulting from the saddle, Neville ruffled his sister’s hair with an easy grin. “Who upset you, Daisy? Tell me, and I will march over there and set them straight.”
She jerked away from his hand, voice breaking. “It’s your fault for being so useless!”
Shock chased the smile from Neville’s face.
Pointing at Hawke Manor’s gates, Daisy cried, “Alexander has already apprenticed himself to General Hawke! He will win glory and renown, all because he stole the chance that was meant for you. Do you understand?”
“Daisy, what are you talking about?” Neville asked, baffled. “If he wishes to study under General Hawke, that’s his business. The general never intended to take me as a pupil, and I have no desire to enlist.”
Daisy shook from head to toe.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. None of this happened in the previous life!
She stared at Neville, confusion swirling behind her eyes; somehow, her bold, gallant brother had turned into a stranger.
In the previous life, her father and brothers had stood at the pinnacle of power and showered her with every luxury the moment she pouted.
I know that even if I dared to covet the crown princess‘ seat, my family would pry it from Sadie’s hands and lay it at my feet. Why, after living an entire life over, must I still waste my days plotting for Father and my brothers? Are they waiting for me to spoon–feed them?
Daisy’s voice cracked, sharp as broken glass. “Your books are a lost cause, and if you refuse the army, what future is left? People praise you as both scholar and soldier, and you believe it, don’t you? Look at your scores–pitiful. Hand this chance to someone else, and regret will choke you for the rest of your life!”
Neville stared at her in disbelief. “Daisy, you were never like this! When did you become so harsh?”
Daisy threw up her hands. “So honesty counts as cruelty now? If you had a shred of ambition, I wouldn’t have to nag. I don’t care. Ride to General Hawke this instant, ask him to take you as a pupil, and learn the Hawke Spear Technique!”
She reached for Neville’s hand, but he wrenched free and shoved her back, the force stealing her breath.
Neville’s eyes clouded with disappointment. “Do you have any idea how brutal life in camp is? I’m comfortable at home–food, drink, entertainment. Why must you push me toward misery? Daisy, I truly no longer understand you.”
Before she could speak again, Neville swung onto his horse, face thunderous, and galloped down the avenue until he vanished in a cloud of dust.
From the carriage window, Sadie quietly let the curtain fall.
A lifetime seems brimming with opportunity, yet only a handful of true crossroads can reshape a person’s fate. Choos wrong path once, and you may labor a hundredfold to make amends–or never manage it at all.
Without a benefactor to light his way in this life, Neville was doomed never to blaze as brilliantly as he once had.
The carriage rolled on, wheels whispering over the cobblestones.
Scorned Heir’s Second Life: The Rebirth That Made My Brothers Weep
