The Fiery Crown Cycle: A Dragon's Rebirth

Chapter 53

Thea gently stroked Isolde's hair, her palm gliding over the soft, golden strands. Silky smooth. It feels wonderful. A beautiful color, though I think silver would be even better.

“Let's go back, Linda.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Snap!

The whip cracked against the horses' rumps. The carriage gave a slight jolt and then resumed its smooth, steady pace.

Eventually, Isolde's quiet sobs subsided. Thea stilled her twirling fingers and looked down. The girl had fallen asleep, her damp eyes squeezed shut. Long, dark lashes stood out against the reddish puffiness around her eyes, and the faint tracks of tears still stained her cheeks.

Thea picked up the hem of Isolde's new black dress and gently wiped the streaks away. When she was done, she let the fabric fall back to the carriage floor.

A dull ache was beginning to form in her chest from the girl's weight. She needed to be moved.

Supporting Isolde's body to keep her from toppling over, Thea shifted to the right, creating some space. She carefully eased the sleeping girl down until she was lying flat on the seat. The movement caused a few strands of golden hair to fall across her face. Thea reached out and tenderly brushed them back into place.

Hm?

Her gaze drifted to Isolde's right hand. The contract mark was glowing again, a steady crimson pulse in the dim light of the carriage. Night, noon, and now again. The frequency is increasing.

A single bead of sweat traced a path down Thea's flawless cheek. The temperature in the carriage was rising.

Just then, the carriage lurched forward and swayed to a stop.

“My lady, we have arrived,” Linda's voice called from the driver's seat.

“Mm. Linda, come inside for a moment.”

The carriage door opened, and Linda stepped in. Thea glanced at her briefly before returning her attention to the girl whose head was pillowed on her lap.

“Lift her.”

Linda's gaze fell to the small girl. “Yes, my lady.”

She stepped forward and knelt on one knee. Sliding her right arm under Isolde's legs and her left beneath her back, she stood in one fluid motion. The weight on Thea's legs vanished, and she felt an immediate sense of relief. She smoothed the wrinkles from her white dress with a sweep of her hand.

She stood.

The moment she put weight on her foot, her leg buckled and she pitched forward, catching herself on the carriage doorframe. Her leg had fallen asleep.

“My lady! Are you alright?”

“I'm fine,” Thea said, leaning against the door. “My leg is just numb.”

She waited a moment for the prickling sensation to fade. Once it had, she stepped out of the carriage. Two maids who had been waiting at the front of the line rushed forward. One bent low at the waist, while the other prostrated herself on the ground, creating a human step. Thea stepped onto her back and then onto the cobblestones.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Welcome home, my lady,” the head maid greeted her with a deep bow. Thea shot her a dismissive glance before continuing toward the manor.

“I will be bathing,” she announced.

“Yes, my lady.” The head maid bowed even lower.

Upstairs in her chambers, Thea threw herself onto the sofa. She looked up. Linda stood nearby, Isolde still held fast asleep in her arms.

“Put her on the other sofa.”

At her lady's command, Linda walked to the adjacent couch and gently laid the girl down. She then moved to the low table, knelt, and began to pour tea from an ornate golden pot into a delicate cup. It was Thea's custom to have a cup of floral tea whenever she sat on the sofa.

Steam rose in a thin, fragrant wisp. “My lady, your tea.”

“Thank you, Linda.”

Thea took the cup, lifted the lid, and brought the fine porcelain to her lips. She took a small sip, then set it down.

“Have the agents we sent to the royal capital returned?”

“No, my lady.”

“Any word?”

“None. We have lost all trace of them.”

“How long has it been?”

“This is the fourth day.”

Thea relaxed, leaning her back against the soft cushions. Four days? The information lockdown must be severe. Her fingers began to tap a light, rhythmic pattern on the armrest of the sofa. Linda, seeing the gesture, knew her lady was deep in thought. She remained perfectly still, careful not to make a sound that might disturb her.

For the royal capital to be this tense, it can only mean one thing. War is coming.

A small, sharp smile touched her lips.

Who will it be this time, I wonder? The Beastmen, or the Drow?

“Linda.”

“I am here, my lady.”

“Have the merchant guild begin stockpiling grain, effective today.” Thea brought a slender finger to her mouth, nibbling on the nail. “And… expand the knight roster.”

“But my lady,” Linda protested gently, “the knight roster of House Valerius is already at the maximum limit stipulated by the royal codex. Are you certain you wish to expand it further?”

“Expand it.”

“Very well, my lady. Linda understands.”

“I know what you are worried about, Linda. Don't be.” Thea's voice was calm and reassuring. “For the next five years, the royal capital will have neither the time nor the energy to police the affairs of the Empire's nobles.”

As for her father, far away in the capital… he would just have to try his luck. Oh, and Owen, too. What a pity. Based on the current situation, war would likely break out within two months.

“By how much should we expand it?”

Thea looked up at her attendant. She can be so dense sometimes.

“Keep expanding.”

Linda's eyes widened. She couldn't understand. What had her lady become? One word, forbidden and terrifying, screamed in her mind.

Rebellion!

As if she had plucked the thought directly from her attendant's head, Thea stood, raised her left hand, and flicked Linda sharply on the forehead with her middle finger.

“It's not rebellion, Linda. It's simply… self-preservation.”

A red mark bloomed on Linda's pale skin. “My apologies, my lady. My thoughts ran away with me.”

“Mm,” Thea nodded. “Now, go. The sooner you begin, the better.”

“But, my lady…” A look of deep worry crossed Linda's face.

“I will be fine. This is the Valerius estate. No one can harm me here. Go.”

Linda knew she could not change her lady's mind. “Yes, my lady. I will return as quickly as possible.”

“I know you will. Don't worry.”

Linda stood, turned, and left. Thea watched her straight-backed figure until the door closed behind her. Then, she turned her gaze toward the door to her bathing chamber. Enough time had passed. The water should be ready.

“Nora. Cora. You may enter.”

The door opened, and two young maids in identical uniforms stepped inside. They were twin sisters, adopted by the house years ago, their faces nearly indistinguishable save for the length of their hair—one long, one short. They walked in lockstep, hands clasped at their waists, and stopped before the sofa, bowing their heads.

“My lady.”

“My lady.”

“Bring my friend,” Thea commanded. “You two will assist me with my bath today.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Cora, the short-haired twin, walked to the other sofa and bent to lift the unconscious Isolde. Nora opened the door to the bathing chamber, revealing a room thick with steam.

After a long, comfortable bath, Thea felt refreshed.

Nora helped her dress, and Thea sat at her vanity, allowing the maid to tend to her hair. She squinted, her gaze drifting toward the bed. Isolde was lying there, still sleeping peacefully.

Remarkable. She's still not awake.