So I wanted to quietly write this novel while I'm concentrating my effort on my main project. But RoyalRoad won't let me unless I consent to publish one chapter. So consider that Teaser published.
Even that much isn't representative to the real thing once it would get published if ever.There is nothing to see here for the foreseeable future. I won't publish anything until my first draft is done and the first chapter is still a work in progress. So see you in a year or two.
The sky was still dark when Melianna slipped out of bed, pulling on her tunic and cloak with practiced quiet. The estate was silent at this hour, save for the occasional creak of the stone walls or the soft footsteps of the night guards. She moved through the hallways like a shadow, slipping past sleeping servants, all too familiar with the paths that would take her outside without being caught.
The soldiers at the training yard were waiting when she arrived. A few nodded in acknowledgment, though most kept their eyes on their tasks—sharpening swords, inspecting armor, or stretching out before the drills began. The younger ones seemed amused by her presence, while the veterans, used to her by now, barely gave her a glance. They didn’t question why she was there.
“Good morning, Lady Melianna,” one of the more seasoned soldiers, Rufus, greeted her as she approached the small stand where the bows were kept.
Melianna nodded, a faint smile on her lips. “Good morning, Rufus.”
“You’re early today,” he remarked, though there was no surprise in his tone. She was always early.
“Can’t sleep,” she lied, retrieving her bow and inspecting the string.
It was an unspoken arrangement—her presence during the early morning training sessions. The soldiers never reported her, and the servants who knew pretended not to. Melianna liked to think she was being clever, sneaking off in the early hours while everyone else slept. **They don’t realize I’m getting better at this**, she thought as she knocked an arrow, her posture steady. **Or that I’m preparing for something bigger.**
But in truth, she was allowed to come and go because she had become something of a talisman for the men. Her presence seemed to improve their aim, their coordination, their focus. She didn’t know why, but no one argued about it—not even the officers. Not aloud, at least.
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“Remember, Lady Melianna, steady on the draw,” Rufus advised as she pulled the string back, his voice low but firm.
She released the arrow, watching it fly straight into the target’s outer circle.
Not perfect. She bit her lip but nodded as Rufus gave her a curt approval. “You’re improving.”
“I’m not here to watch forever,” she murmured, more to herself than him.
As dawn began to break, she shot a few more arrows before the sound of distant bells signaled the estate waking up. The soldiers gathered their weapons, glancing in her direction as she lowered her bow.
“I think you’d best head back before the house notices your absence,” Rufus said, though his tone was more amused than worried.
“I’ll be fine.” She shot him a smile before hurrying back inside, the bow safely tucked back where she’d found it.
---
By the time Melianna sat down for breakfast, the estate was alive with its usual morning routine. Servants moved briskly between rooms, bringing fresh bread, cider, and fruit to the long wooden table. Lady Juliana sat at the head, her gaze cool and controlled as always. Lucius, her stepmother’s only son, was already picking through his food with the kind of laziness that irritated Melianna to no end.
“Melianna,” Juliana’s voice was as smooth as the cider she sipped. “Did you oversleep again?”
Melianna forced a polite smile. “I must have,” she said, her heart still racing slightly from her run back inside. “I only just made it down.”
Lucius snorted, his eyes flicking toward her with a smirk. “I’ve heard you’re always sneaking around. Up before dawn. What could you possibly be doing?”
Melianna’s expression didn’t change, but inwardly, she tensed. “I enjoy walking before the sun rises,” she said smoothly. “It helps me think.”
Juliana’s eyes lingered on her a moment longer before turning back to Lucius. “I hope you remember, Melianna, there are duties expected of a young lady of your station. You’ll have little time for walks once you’re married.”
“I understand, Lady Juliana,” Melianna replied, dipping her head in deference, though her stomach churned at the thought. **Married off like a commodity**. The image flickered through her mind, but she quickly brushed it away.
**Not if I have my way.**
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