Chapter Five

Sir Eliard stamped my task sheet with a smile and placed it on a pile. I slowly filled out my name on the task centre's registration form, biding my time as much as possible. The feathered quill shook left and right with my fumbling strokes.

"Excellent" he took my registration form and began to check it over. "You are all signed up, and I have marked your minimum required participation. Keep this with you and give it to Sir Vaughn when you arrive tomorrow morning. Your posting is two weeks, so on your last shift, get it stamped by Sir Vaughn, then return it to us here, and your task will be complete. We can then pay you the eighty credits."

"Thank you, Sir Eliard, I will be sure to do that" I tucked the stiff card he had given me into the inner pocket of my cloak. The task I had chosen had a higher credit reward than many others on the boards. It was probably because of the higher risk of injury.

"Are you finished?" Dark grey eyes looked down at me as Eduard approached the desk. Despite his burning gaze, he had been patient, allowing me to finish applying for the task.

"Yes," I mumbled, spotting Teresa pulling a face as she stared at the task board. She hadn't found anything she had settled on yet.

I pushed past Eduard, earning his disapproval, and headed over to her. "Will you be all right?" I asked as Teresa rubbed her head, frustrated.

"Yeah, I just can't decide between three of them." She paused, her eyes flickering above me. "Don't worry about me. I think you have more pressing matters," she said, lowering her voice.

"Indeed." I sighed regretfully.

Pressing and unavoidable.

"I will see you later tonight, maybe? I have the first session with Lieutenant Cragborn later."

Ah, right. As a future summoner, Teresa, Rian, and Harold will be attending their first session on using aether. They had them after weapons training in the afternoon on water days. As a footguard trainee, I didn't have anything to attend. It was simply personal time to train our skills.

Or be dragged into family disputes, apparently.

"I hope it goes well." I smiled enviously, "I will see you later."

Teresa nodded, her eyes going above my head again.

I was suspicious of the presence I could feel.

Did Eduard think I was going to run away?

Well, I guess I had done just that after the tribunal.

"Lynette." His voice was cold and growing impatient. "Are you finally finished here?"

"Yes, Eduard. We can go now." I turned and jolted a little at how uncomfortably close he had been standing.

"Good. Follow me." His curt words left no room for argument. I clenched my fist and tried to steady my heart as his tall back walked away.

I knew I would have to face them after what I did. It was an unavoidable conversation, but that didn't make it any easier.

Vishka's Guidance System

Eduard Heversham

Likeability: -30% (-5%)

I gazed up at the box floating above Eduard's head as I dragged my feet after him. It had lowered since the tribunal, probably because I avoided this conversation.

I had expected as much.

We walked in awkward silence out of the task centre. I followed as instructed, and Eduard led me through Alinor keep. The dirt path felt empty of life alone with him. I turned away from watching his back, feeling a tightness in my stomach.

I paused a moment as Eduard slowed his pace to match my stalling.

"Have you eaten lunch?" Eduard's question caught me off guard as he fell into step beside me.

"Not yet. I went straight to the task centre after weapons training this morning."

"I know. I will arrange to bring food to my office whilst we talk."

If he knew already, why did he ask?

"Are you following my movements now?" I frowned as we entered the garden of reflection. We stepped onto the courtyard, our footsteps echoing on the stone path towards the pavilion at the centre. The four elemental gardens were blooming brightly despite the slight chill of the wind that rustled the plants. It was the beginning of the first month of Autumn.

I wonder how the gardens will change with the seasons.

"It was a necessity. You showed your desire plain enough yesterday." Eduard's scowl made me cringe.

"It was a decision I made in the moment" I didn't add how I simply didn't have the energy to face another reprimand.

I only left the way I did as I thought it would be best. The tribunal had been stressful enough.

"It was a selfish action. I thought you were growing up." his words dug deep. I pressed my lips as we approached the buildings at the end of the garden. The library stood tall at the centre of three separate structures, its aged stonework dotted with repairs.

Eduard's critique stung more than I cared to admit, probably because he was right. I had been selfish in allowing Nate to drag me out without talking to Eduard or Callan.

They were both shocked by my request for the adoption annulment. I knew they would be, but they never listened. Had they truly considered my feelings, my position in the family, and my desire to stay in the army, then perhaps I may not have had to request an annulment.

"Then maybe you should have listened to me more," I mumbled, holding back my grit.

Eduard stopped with a look of vexation etched into his features as he opened his mouth. "Ly-"

"Captain Heversham!" a panicked voice interrupted as a man with scraggy brown hair slammed closed the door from the left building.

Eduard immediately straightened his posture and turned to face the wiry man dressed in the uniform of a grey cloak trimmed with green. "What is it, Sir Ryan?"

"C-captain," Ryan slumped, meeting us with a heavy breath. He fumbled with his hands, pushing up a pair of round glass spectacles that filled most of his face. "It's Lord Callan, Captain. He barged into your office and refused to leave."

Eduard pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "I will deal with him. I was on my way there now, anyway. Please send a carrier to bring a meal for the three of us. I doubt he has eaten either."

"Yes, Captain, right away!" Ryan saluted, closing his fist against his chest. He was about to leave but paused momentarily, finally noticing my presence. His eyes widened, looking back to Eduard before nodding and running past us into the garden of reflection.

"Sir Ryan Halstead is my aide," Eduard said before I could ask.

"He seemed flustered," I commented as we headed towards the left building, the auditorium. The officers of the ranked members of the army were located here. The building connected to the lecture halls on the right of the library through a passageway. I had previously walked that passage with Callan; it stretched against the back of the library, opening into a small courtyard at the centre of the three buildings.

"He has a lot on his shoulders. The task of an aide is not light, but Sir Ryan handles it well. He is invaluable, even if he does tend to overreact."

"Callan is too much to handle for most people," I said, opening the doors. Callan was a lot for most nobles, let alone a commoner.

The air in the auditorium was warmer, the thick stone walls insulating against the changing seasons outside. Echoes of our footsteps blended with distant sounds, voices, and the rustling of papers.

Eduard didn't respond, but I could see the disapproval in his eyes.

I swallowed a lump in my throat as we walked. I had only prepared myself for a conversation with Eduard, not them both.

My anxiety was growing.

We arrived at a doorway labelled with a nameplate, slightly ajar. Eduard stepped forward, pushing it open, revealing a spacious room with a large oak desk and shelves lined with books and scrolls. Parchment maps were pinned across one of the walls dotted with pins. The sunlight filtered through a large window, casting a warm glow over everything. Callan sat in one of the chairs, his boots propped up on the desk, looking for all the world like he owned the place.

Vishka's Guidance System

Callan Heversham

Likeability: 12% (-3%)

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"I told you I'm not leaving until I speak with Eduard!" he snipped without looking at who had entered.

"Take your feet off my desk," Eduard said, irritated, causing Callan to whip his head to face us. His grey eyes bore into me with surprise.

"Lynette!" Callan scrambled from his position, his light brown hair messy, and rushed to me. I stepped back, but he gripped my biceps tightly, pulling me close. "Why did you run away from us?"

My lip twitched.

What should I say?

I had hurt Callan. I knew that. We were making progress, but my actions had destroyed it. An irrational part of my mind felt guilt for hurting him, but a large part of me still hadn't forgiven him. I don't know if I ever will. The pain he caused lingered like an unwanted rotten stem waiting to be plucked.

"Callan." Eduard's voice was stern as he sat down behind his desk. "Sit down, Lynette."

Callan's hands tensed before he slowly released me. "I waited outside the coliseum, but you had already left." His voice quietened.

"I had to get a task," I said, rubbing my arms and taking a seat as Callan closed the door at Eduard's signal.

"No surprise Eduard found you. He oversees intelligence," Callan said, taking a seat beside me.

"Intelligence?"

"Yeah, he runs the information network here. He makes it his business to know what people are doing."

"I maintain information and make it available to the generals Callan. It is a vital component to ensuring a smooth system." Eduard frowned toward Callan. "War can be won on information alone."

"Pfft." I couldn't stop the noise from escaping my mouth, but I quickly held up a hand to cover it at the snap of their heads.

Eduard had told me on the march he was in the administration branch, but I didn't think he specialised in information gathering.

"What?" Eduard narrowed his eyes.

"N-never mind," I said, trying to avoid this. There was already enough anxiety in my heart.

Why did I have to laugh?

"Lynette," Eduard said my name with the tone he usually used when he demanded I answer.

"It is just ironic." I shrugged.

"What's ironic about it?" Callan asked, raising an eyebrow.

I sighed. "I just thought... it was ironic since you never knew how I lived in Talbour," I whispered, uncertain of their reaction. This wasn't how I imagined this conversation to start.

Both of them stilled in their seats. The unspoken truth of the food I had been forced to withstand for years was heavy.

"I see," Eduard finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of emotion I couldn't place.

I pinched my fingers at the following silence.

Callan's gaze changed from anger to sadness. Eduard looked away from me to contemplate some papers on his desk.

I had just made things more awkward, hadn't I?

A soft knock at the door cut through the atmosphere that had formed. Eduard straightened his posture and coughed into his hand. "Yes?"

The door opened to reveal a trainee with a giant smile.

"My Lords, I have brought the meal you requested." His hands held a large tray with three plates as his grey tail swished. The smell of the food drifted, and my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl.

The young boy's pointed ears flicked as his eyes darted to me with a humorous tone before widening in recognition. I hesitantly smiled and hugged my stomach tighter.

Well, that was embarrassing.

"You will address those of rank by their titles. If you are unsure, check the nameplates in future." Eduard motioned to the desk with his hand. "Place the food here."

"U-ugh, yes, Captain." The beast-kin nodded and scurried over. His eyes kept returning to me as he unloaded the tray. He cautiously looked to Eduard and Callan, who seemed invested in watching me.

"Are you here on a task, too?" the boy quietly asked me, but his voice wasn't exactly a whisper.

"N-no," I said, feeling uncomfortable as I shifted away from him.

"You are not here to ask questions." Eduard snapped with a glare, causing the boy to startle.

"S-sorry, Captain." the boy tucked the tray under his arm. "Can I get you anything else?"

"No. You can go." Eduard said with a dismissive tone.

The boy nodded and moved to leave, but not before glancing back at me again.

I watched the door close before looking at the meal he had brought as Eduard moved some of his papers into a drawer, freeing up space.

"Do you always eat in your office?" I asked, hoping to regain my composure before the inevitable. "I thought everyone had to eat at the eatery."

"Luxury of rank," Callan answered, picking up his plate and inspecting the sliced potatoes and cooked chicken.

"It is a privilege of rank." Eduard corrected, tapping his finger on the desk. "Eat, we have much to discuss."

I gulped.

Slowly, I lifted the fork provided and began to eat. I guessed that since the meal wasn't just eggs and toast, this was on Eduard. My stomach was ravenous, but the longer I dragged this out, the more time I had.

They both finished long before I had. I pushed a potato slice with my fork, feeling a sickness growing with every bite. It was delicious, the chicken soft, and I had eaten that quickly, but from the look on Eduard's face, he knew I was stalling.

"Lynette." He said, stilling my hand. "Enough."

I put my fork down and tied my fingers together in my lap as the sickness grew.

"Let us get to the point of this," Eduard said before I could respond, adjusting his position as his expression changed.

My heart began to thud.

My palms felt sweaty.

Callan shifted to face me.

Eduard's eyes didn't leave me.

"Why did you run away from us, Lynette." Eduard's voice was low, and I automatically tensed.

"I thought it would be best to gather my thoughts." It was also so they would calm down, but I wasn't going to say that.

"You seemed to know exactly what your thoughts were." Eduard scowled. "Why else would you have come prepared with that ridiculous request for an adoption annulment."

"You also got it notarised by Lord Nathaniel of all people," Callan said beside me with a saddened expression.

I pinched my fingers. I had gone against my promise to Callan by involving Nate. It hadn't been my intention to get Nate involved. I had only wanted his advice. His actions had been unexpected, but I was grateful for it.

"I had no choice."

"No choice!?" Eduard tightened a fist as his voice hitched. "Of course, you had a choice. You could have accepted the revocation of your blood contract and gone home, where it is safe!"

My lips flinched into a frown.

"I won't be returning to Talbour," I said calmly against a rising spike in my heart. It was no use reciprocating Eduard's anger with my own. It was inevitable I would face it, but giving in to my rage at their actions would be a pointless endeavour.

They had not yet made the same choices that led to my death in my past lives.

They did not know of my future in that house.

"I suppose that is because you think you will get what you want on the next tribunal and be removed from our family?" Eduard said with an eerie lack of emotion.

"I want to stay here, so yes." I swallowed the fluttering in my stomach.

"Lynette, you can't mean that, do you? Do you really want to leave our family?" Callan pleaded with a look of desperation to my words.

I hesitated at his expression, thinking carefully about my response. "Talbour isn't safe for me. Roger does not hold my best interests."

I had died three times already living there, but I could not tell them that.

There was no way any sane person would believe me.

"Do you think the army is safer than living in comfort? Do you honestly think facing demonic beasts, summoners, and the capital's nobility is safer than Talbour?" Eduard asked in that same eerie tone.

"Yes. If it means I am not forced to marry Lord Garret Asher, then anything is better than Talbour."

I had to hope that changing my life like this could let me live.

Even if it was a more dangerous path.

"Lynette-" Callan tried to speak, but Eduard slammed his fist onto the table. A shudder trickled down my spine at the shock.

Eduard never got this angry. Not openly.

"Foolish!" Eduard shouted.

Eduard's outburst echoed in the spacious room, leaving a thick tension that felt like another presence entirely. His face was a mix of irritation, anger, and something else I couldn't quite decipher.

My heart began to thud faster.

Callan shifted uncomfortably in his seat beside me. "Lord Garret is a prick, I did tell you, Eduard."

Eduard shot a piercing gaze towards Callan as his temple twitched.

"The arrangement with Lord Garret was intended to secure Lynette's future. If you really did not wish for the marriage, Lynette, we could have dealt with it when you were safe in Talbour."

"Do you really think Roger would cancel it?" I scoffed.

Who was the foolish one?

"Father would have listened if you wanted it so badly that you stooped to an annulment of your adoption."

"No. He wouldn't," I said, meeting Eduard's hard stare. "He didn't after my choice to meet Lord Nathaniel. Any sane noble would rather cancel an engagement after that, but Roger didn't care, and for reasons I don't understand, neither did Lord Garret." I could feel my emotions begin to swell. Closing my eyes, I steadied myself with a deep breath. "I understand why you're upset, Eduard, but you're looking at this from your perspective. You haven't been in my position. The thought of marrying someone like Lord Garrett terrifies me—more than any beast or battle I could face. I can not remain a pawn to him. The man you call father."

Eduard's fist remained clenched, but his voice softened slightly, "Lynette, I only want what's best for you."

"A future I didn't choose," I interjected, my voice raising slightly, feeling Callan's gaze on me. His expression was a mixture of guilt and sorrow, a silent apology for the part he played in this mess.

Eduard's expression changed into a contortion of frustration, but he moved to cover his mouth with his hand as he silently contemplated.

"Do you not want to be our sister anymore?" Callan's voice pierced the guilt that had rested deep in my heart. He was always outspoken with me, quick to act and accuse, but now, hearing him so sad was tightening my heart. I hated that I felt it.

After years of wishing to be accepted by them and of hoping to have a family, I have tried three times and failed. Why is it now, when I want to leave, that I finally feel some reciprocation?

"It's not just about not wanting to be your sister," I said, my voice strained as my gaze flickered to the box above his head. "It's about wanting to control my own life, to make my own decisions."

"You are the daughter of a Viscount, Lynette. That will all change if you become a commoner." Eduard spoke as though I didn't already know that my life would change drastically. "You have far more freedom to live without worry than many of the commoners in our empire. You will have to obey the nobles above you. Why would you prefer to struggle to support yourself rather than be our sister?" his expression was laced with rare genuine concern mixed with his frustration.

I hesitated, debating how honest I should be. The boxes above their heads were blurred, the numbers calculating this conversation. But it was perhaps one of the most upfront conversations I had ever had with both my brothers together.

Could I hope they would listen?

I released a breath I hadn't realised I had been holding. "Neither of you have been present in Talbour since you joined the army," I spoke grimly, feeling a mix of trepidation and sorrow weave itself into my chest. "You see me for only a few short weeks of the year. So how would you know? How would you understand?"

They had not faced the looks of disdain as I had. They had only faced a happy family, with me as the sole problem child due to my past actions. My tantrums, my threats and revolts, they had never trusted my words. Spring was my only solace in Talbour when they, my so called family, was in the capital, leaving me alone to rejuvenate my emotions.

"Then make us understand," Eduard spoke, slightly relaxing his fist. "You should have spoken with us before recklessly asking to be removed from our family."

"I did," I said sharply, feeling my own frustration fuelled by my sorrow burn hotter. How many times had I told them I was doing what I wanted? "You simply never trusted my words."

"Lynette, do you truly believe Father wouldn't want to adopt you if he had the choice now?" Callan leaned forward in his seat, his voice earnest for an answer as Eduard's gaze flickered angrily toward Callan.

I sighed. "I am an unwelcome commoner in Roger Heversham's household, a woman of little worth other than marriage. I am nothing other than a burden in his eyes. He likely will only go against the revocation for the sake of his reputation. It will have nothing to do with affection toward me as his daughter. I am not welcomed in that man's home."

"It is your home, Lynette," Eduard said softly, his eyes hurt.

"No, it never was." I shook my head. "It was yours."