Mira stood by the window, watching the gentle sway of the trees in the afternoon breeze. It had been a peaceful morning at Highfield Manor, but her mind was anything but still. The past few months had been filled with so much change—some of it unexpected, but not unwelcome.
Her thoughts wandered to Roderic, who had officially begun courting her not long ago. The formal engagement had been agreed upon, though they both knew the wedding would have to wait. The paperwork, the approvals, the careful dance of bureaucracy—all of it took time. Still, there was a quiet joy in the knowledge that they had both made a decision. There was no uncertainty now, no lingering question about where they stood with one another.
She smiled faintly, her fingers brushing over the smooth wood of the sill. The staff had already begun treating her as the lady of the house. Even Marianne had taken to addressing her as “Lady Mira,” a title that felt strange and unfamiliar but not unwelcome. It was as if Highfield itself had started to shift, making room for her in its heart.
In the distance, she could see Leon out in the training yard, his figure tall and strong as he went through his exercises. His once boyish voice had deepened over the past year, carrying a new weight that came with his growth. He had grown so much—no longer the boy who had arrived here with uncertainty in his eyes. He was an Evoker now, powerful and confident in a way that both made her proud and filled her with quiet worry.
Mira rested a hand on her stomach, feeling the small but undeniable curve there. She hadn’t told him yet. She hadn’t told anyone, not even Roderic, though she suspected he might have noticed her subtle changes. There was a part of her that wanted to share the news, to celebrate it, but she held back. Leon was about to embark on a journey of his own—to the academy, where his focus would need to be sharp, undistracted by the worries of home.
There would be time to tell him, to share the joy of his soon-to-be sibling. But not yet. For now, she would let him have these final moments of peace before his life changed once more.
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As Mira wandered through the allotment, her hands lightly brushed over the leafy greens and sprouting vegetables. The air carried a gentle breeze, stirring the plants she had so carefully tended over the past months. It had become her sanctuary—a place where she could reconnect with her roots, far from the noble life she had been drawn into. Her fingers paused over a row of carrots, her thoughts drifting as she heard footsteps behind her.
Leon approached, his gaze sweeping over the neatly arranged allotment. "You’ve done a lot with this place, Mum. It looks just like... like home." His voice softened, carrying the weight of memories.
Mira smiled, though there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes. "It does, doesn’t it? I didn’t think I’d have the chance to grow things again. Not like this."
Leon stepped closer, resting his hand on the fence that bordered the small plot. "I was thinking about the farm today... how simple things were back then. You worked so hard every day."
Mira turned to face him, her expression gentle. "It wasn’t work I resented, Leon. The farm was our life, and it was a good one, for the most part. It was hard, but... it was ours." She let her fingers curl around a leaf, absently picking at it. "After everything that happened, I thought I’d lost that part of myself. But being here, with this allotment... it helps."
Leon nodded, understanding. "I always admired you for that. For how much you gave to the farm, to our family. I think... I didn’t realise it as much back then, but you carried a lot."
Mira’s smile widened. "You always helped when you could, even as a boy. You were responsible, more than most your age. And now look at you—an Evoker, training with your own sword, heading to the academy." Her gaze softened, and she reached out, resting her hand on his arm. "I’m proud of you, Leon."
Leon glanced down, feeling a swell of emotion. "Thanks, Mum. I... I just hope I can live up to everything. To what you did for me, and to what’s expected of me now."
Mira’s expression grew more serious. "You already have, Leon. You don’t need to carry anyone else’s expectations—just focus on what you know is right."
There was a brief silence between them, filled with the gentle rustling of leaves. Leon broke it after a moment. "I don’t know what’s going to happen at the academy... I know it’s going to be different from anything I’ve faced so far. But knowing I have your support... it helps."
Mira’s eyes glistened with warmth. "You’ll do great, Leon. And whatever happens, remember that you’ve always got a home here. Even when things change... that won’t."
Leon smiled, the tension in his chest easing. "I’ll remember that."
Mira’s gaze lingered on her son for a moment longer before she looked back at the allotment, her hand still resting on the vegetables. "These will be ready to harvest soon. I wish you could be here to help me with them... like you used to."
Leon chuckled softly. "I’ll miss that too. Maybe when I come back, we can work on it together."
Mira’s smile turned wistful, and she gave a small nod. "I’d like that."
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The evening sky over Highfield was painted in pastel hues of pink and orange as the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows over the manor grounds. Inside the manor, the air was thick with the unspoken weight of Leon's impending departure. In the dim glow of the hearth, Mira sat on a cushioned bench near the window, gazing out over the rolling hills that had become her home. She could hear the distant murmur of the household preparing for tomorrow, but tonight, for just a few moments, she wanted quiet.
Roderic entered the room, his footfalls soft against the wooden floor, and without a word, he crossed the room to sit beside her. For a while, neither of them spoke. The comfortable silence between them stretched as the fire crackled, the warmth of the flames mirroring the quiet bond that had grown between them over the years. He glanced at her, his eyes catching the reflection of the firelight on her features, and offered a small, reassuring smile.
"He’s ready, you know," Roderic said quietly, his voice low and steady. "Leon’s more than capable of handling himself at the academy. He’ll do well."
Mira sighed, her fingers absentmindedly brushing against the windowsill. "I know he will. I’m proud of him, truly. But it doesn’t make it any easier to see him go."
Roderic nodded, his gaze shifting out the window to the darkening horizon. "It never is. But he’s not the same boy who first came here. He’s grown, stronger than I could’ve imagined."
Mira turned to look at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You’ve done more for him than you know, Roderic. He’s learned so much here, not just about combat or etiquette... but about what it means to care for something greater than yourself."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Roderic chuckled, shaking his head. "He didn’t get that from me, Mira. That’s all you."
She smiled but said nothing in response, appreciating the shared understanding between them. Roderic’s next words brought her back to the present. "I’ve been thinking about what’s next for Highfield."
Mira tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
Roderic’s gaze grew thoughtful as he leaned back, resting his arms on his knees. "With Leon at the academy, I want to focus on developing the estate. There are parts of the land that could be used better. We could expand the farms, bring in new crops, maybe even try building some more permanent infrastructure. A proper town centre, more homes, better roads."
He paused, glancing over at her. "It would bring more stability to Highfield. More opportunities for the people. I want this place to thrive, not just survive."
Mira nodded, feeling a quiet sense of admiration for him. She had seen how deeply he cared for his people, how much responsibility weighed on his shoulders. "It’s a good plan, Roderic. The people already respect you, but giving them more... it will make them feel even more secure. It’ll give them something to build on."
He smiled at her, his expression softening. "I want to build something that lasts. For all of us."
His words carried a deeper meaning, one that Mira couldn’t ignore. There was a future here, not just for Highfield, but for them. She looked at him, studying the lines of his face—the quiet strength in his eyes, the subtle way his hands curled around the edge of the bench, and the tenderness in his smile when he looked at her.
"And what about us?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Have you thought about our future?"
Roderic’s gaze met hers, and for a moment, there was no hesitation in his eyes. "I have. More than you know." He reached for her hand, his rough fingers brushing against hers. "I want us to build something together, Mira. You and me. I know the paperwork and the approvals are taking time, but..."
She squeezed his hand gently, her heart warming at his words. "I know. And when the time comes, we’ll have it all sorted."
Roderic’s thumb traced small circles over the back of her hand, his expression softening even further. "I just want you to know... you’ve made this place feel more like home. Not just for Leon, but for me too."
Mira felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at him. She hadn’t told him about the baby yet. She hadn’t told anyone. There was still time, and for now, she wanted to keep it to herself. But knowing that he wanted to build a future with her, that he was already thinking of their life together, gave her a quiet reassurance that when the time came, they would share that joy too.
She smiled, leaning into his shoulder as they sat together, the fire crackling gently in the hearth. "You’ve made me feel like I belong here, Roderic," she whispered. "More than I ever thought I could."
They sat in comfortable silence, watching the fire, their thoughts drifting between the present and the future. There was so much still ahead—plans to be made, work to be done, and a life to build. But for tonight, they were content to sit together, wrapped in the quiet warmth of their shared dreams.
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The carriage stood waiting in the courtyard, its polished wood gleaming in the morning sun. The horses shifted restlessly, as if eager to start the journey, their breath visible in the cool air. Leon stood beside it, his travelling pack already loaded inside. His hand rested lightly on the carriage door, though he wasn’t quite ready to leave just yet.
Mira stood close, her gaze warm yet shadowed with a quiet sadness. It wasn’t the first time she’d watched someone she loved leave, but this felt different. Roderic was beside her, his presence steady and reassuring, though he too had a look of reluctant farewell in his gaze.
Marianne, already seated on the carriage step, leaned out slightly, her silver eyes glinting with amusement. "You’re stalling, Leon. Don't tell me you’re nervous about a bunch of instructors? After everything you’ve been through here?"
Leon gave her a half-smile. "Nervous? No. But it’s not like I have a choice, is it?" His hand lingered on the door, the weight of the law unspoken but clear between them.
Marianne grinned. "True. But if you’re going to be stuck at the academy, might as well make the best of it." She tapped the side of the carriage. "Besides, you’ll have me to make sure you don’t make a fool of yourself."
Leon smiled faintly, but his eyes drifted back to his mother. "It’s not just that. It’s everything I’m leaving behind."
Mira stepped forward then, her hands reaching up to cup Leon’s face gently. "You’re not leaving anything behind, Leon. You’re taking all of this with you. Your home, your family, everything you’ve learned here—it’ll all be with you at the academy." Her voice was soft, but filled with the quiet strength that had always grounded him.
Leon nodded, his throat tight with emotion. "I know, Mum. I’ll write as soon as I can."
She smiled at that, a small, proud smile that made Leon’s heart ache. "I’ll be waiting."
Roderic stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Leon’s shoulder. "I won’t say good luck, because you don’t need it," he said, his voice steady and filled with conviction. "But I will say this—I look forward to working with you when you return. There’s a lot to do here, and I’m counting on you to help build Highfield into something even greater."
Leon met Roderic’s gaze, feeling the weight of those words. It wasn’t just a farewell, but an acknowledgment of the man he had become. "I won’t let you down," he replied, his voice quiet but resolute.
"You never have," Roderic said with a nod, his grip on Leon’s shoulder firm. "Just remember who you are, and you’ll do well."
Marianne, who had been watching the exchange with a faint smile, suddenly leaned forward, her voice carrying a hint of mischief. "If you two are finished with your heartfelt speeches, we should probably get going. I’m not keen on making a late entrance."
Leon laughed softly, shaking his head. "You’re impossible, Marianne."
"That’s why I’m here," she said with a wink, stepping fully into the carriage and settling herself. "Someone’s got to keep you in line."
Leon turned back to his mother one last time. Mira’s eyes were bright, her smile warm, though he could sense the emotion she was holding back. "I’ll make you proud," he said, his voice quieter now.
"You already have," she whispered.
With that, Leon climbed into the carriage beside Marianne, taking a deep breath as the door closed behind him. The horses stirred, the reins pulled taut, and the carriage began to move slowly down the road.
As the manor faded into the distance, Leon glanced out the window one last time, watching as his mother and Roderic grew smaller and smaller. Marianne, sensing his mood, leaned back casually, her arms crossed. "Don’t start getting all sentimental on me now. We’ve got a long way to go, and I refuse to deal with a mopey Evoker the entire trip."
Leon snorted, shaking his head. "I’m fine. Just... a lot to take in."
"You’ll survive." Marianne grinned, giving him a light nudge with her elbow. "Besides, the academy’s not ready for us. I plan to make quite the entrance."
Leon couldn’t help but laugh, the tension easing from his shoulders. He had a long road ahead of him, but with Marianne by his side, maybe it wouldn’t be so daunting after all.
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The carriage rattled gently as it moved down the road, the sounds of hooves and wheels blending into the peaceful countryside. Leon glanced out the window, watching as Highfield Manor gradually disappeared from view. His chest tightened with the weight of the moment, the realisation that his journey was truly beginning.
Marianne, seated across from him, observed his silence for a moment before shifting her gaze back to the manor. Her eyes narrowed slightly, catching sight of Mira and Roderic standing together in the distance. Just as they turned to walk back inside, Mira leaned in close to Roderic, whispering something in his ear.
Roderic’s expression flickered—first with surprise, then with a warm, wide smile. He placed a hand over Mira’s, his eyes shining with a quiet joy that wasn’t there before.
Marianne couldn’t help but smile to herself, leaning back in the carriage with a knowing look. “Knew it,” she muttered quietly under her breath, her silver eyes glinting with satisfaction.