Book 1: Chapter 48 - Homecoming [Part 2]

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The return journey home was largely uneventful—if one counted the lack of bandit raids or midnight assassinations as “uneventful.” There were no earth-shattering incidents on the road, yet Seraphina still took the time to stop at every major town she passed. Smaller villages were simply not worthy of her attention, but in the larger towns, she would give impromptu performances, accompanied by the skilled bard Haze Finleigh on her Chordrelle. Together, the singer with the voice blessed by the Goddess and the female bard captured the hearts of the local populace.

Seeing an opportunity, Frest organized collections wherever Seraphina performed, and donations poured in from the scores of her new admirers and fans. Her appeal was not limited to commoners, either—nobles of varying ranks and titles were eager to host the charismatic young lady and her entourage. So many were the invitations that she had to decline nearly all of them, save for those of higher quality, of course. They all understood she could very well be their queen one day, and “Queen Seraphina the First” had a rather pleasant ring to it in Seraphina’s mind.

To maintain good standing with the Church, Seraphina also performed at the grand cathedral in Rochelles for Bishop de Francey. This, of course, had nothing to do with the fine tea that the region was famed for and Seraphina’s desire to get more of it.

Seraphina’s song, woven into the hymns of the mass, brought widespread acclaim to the Bishop, who responded by calling her “blessed of Avaria.” His hospitality was outstanding, the lavish meals among the finest Seraphina had tasted, and the wine from his famed vineyards only heightened her enjoyment. For the promise of a future performance, she gained the bishop’s loyalty and gratitude. This game is so easy, Seraphina thought to herself more than once.

Despite all this adulation, she privately dreaded one thing above all else: returning to face her mother. By now, word of her exploits in the capital must have reached the duchess. Seraphina couldn’t shake a flicker of apprehension at the thought. She feared little in this world, and she would certainly never admit to being afraid of her mother. Still, she felt something akin to fear where her mother was concerned. Also, the woman’s fiercely possessive love unsettled Seraphina, stirring emotions she preferred to avoid. Warm, fuzzy feelings had no place in Seraphina’s carefully controlled life.

It was the primary reason that she had decided to dally for as long as she could on the way back home.

Such thoughts and more circled through her mind as her carriage rattled over the bridge leading to the Sarien estate. They rolled through the manicured grounds and halted before the imposing entrance of the central keep.

Almost at once, her father, Duke Anatoli Sarien, nearly tore the carriage door off its hinges in his haste to greet her. He snatched Seraphina from her seat, spinning her around in a fierce hug. Public displays of affection like this always made her uncomfortable, and she inwardly vowed that once she held power, she might outlaw them altogether.

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“Sera! Sera!” her father boomed happily, whirling her through the air as if she were still a small child. Though she was petite, it spoke to his tremendous strength that he tossed her about so easily.

To her credit, she did not squeal or scream as that would have been rather unbecoming.

“Oh, put me down, Anatoli—I mean, Father! You’re embarrassing me in front of everyone!” she protested, only for her bear-like father to laugh heartily and spin her around a few more times. Another moment of this and she would be positively dizzy.

“You took far too long, my girl,” he chided playfully, setting her on her feet at last. “I thought it was a simple trip to the capital to visit King Elidion. You’ve been gone ages!”

Brushing down her dress, Seraphina gave herself a moment to steady her spinning head. “I was delayed by a few… profitable distractions,” she replied sweetly. “You remember Rashana? I promised to bank with her family’s institution.”

Her father’s eyebrows rose. “The Lehmans? Dependable folks. We’ve known them for years,” he said, nodding with apparent satisfaction. Seraphina was relieved he had no probing questions. Thankfully, he was a strategic genius only in the art of war—not in finances or any of the other minutiae that were important to a ducal house.

“Anyway, Sera,” Duke Anatoli continued in a lower voice, “your mother wants to speak with you. She’s been in one of her moods lately.”

Seraphina resisted the urge to groan. “I’ll see her after I’ve tended to my men and washed the dust of the road from my skin,” she said primly, lifting her chin.

Her father’s gaze darted around, and he seemed… uneasy. She recognized the signs of a man firmly under his wife’s thumb. “Don’t keep your mother waiting too long,” he warned in an uncharacteristically meek tone.

“I’ll be as quick as I can,” Seraphina said, forcing a polite smile as she was forced to look up to meet his eyes. At times, she wished she were taller—but then she remembered those lanky, awkward Western ladies and quickly dismissed the notion. She was perfect as she was.

“It has been a rather trying journey, Lord Anatoli,” Eloise de Laney put in softly, trying to smooth things over.

Her father beamed at Eloise. “Then I’ll have a word with my lady love the duchess and tell her you’ll be a bit delayed. In the meantime, the servants can whip up something for all of you. We had no idea when you’d arrive.”

“But I did send letters,” Seraphina huffed, crossing her arms.

“Sera, you know how these matters can be,” her father said gently. “And you know your mother... You never know what she might do if she feels kept in the dark.” His eyes fell on the carriage behind her. “By the way—where did you get this carriage? It’s certainly not one of ours.”

Seraphina cleared her throat. “I purchased it with the allowance you gave me. I have been saving for quite some time.”

“That’s my girl,” Anatoli said, grinning broadly. “Takes after her mother when it comes to finances! I always knew your schooling would pay off one day.”

At that, Seraphina managed a small smile. Yes, she supposed she could appreciate that her father was simple in his own way. It made him all the more easy to handle.