Page 23 of A Kingdom so Crimson

I sighed, staring at the blotched ceiling, my mind consumed by thoughts of the dream—the fight of light and darkness. I shiftedmy gaze to my arms, noticing dark purples and browns speckling them, leading up to a larger splotch on my right collarbone, barely visible beneath my white nightgown.

A soft yet firm knock came at my door. I shifted to a seated position, clearing my throat. "Come in."

The door creaked open, and Levon stepped inside, his attire suggesting he had just woken up himself. His brow furrowed in concern, a sentiment I rarely witnessed from anyone besides Aoife and occasionally Cal.

"My lady," he greeted, bowing low before moving towards the foot of my bed. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Aoife told me you were awake. You had me extremely worried," he admitted.

I quickly adjusted, sitting up straighter and pulling the covers slightly higher, feeling exposed in my nightgown.

"I'm alright, truly. Just…out of sorts." I held my breath, not sure what to say.

"I'd be honored to have you join me, Eliah. At my estate, I mean…if you accept," he interjected, stumbling over his words, which seemed out of character, given his usual composure.

"I passed then?" I asked, not fully believing I did.

"You completed it well within the hour," he paused. "However, Jesri, as you know, is quite particular about order, and…well, he's under the impression that you didn't, given thatIcarried you out."

The memory of strong, comforting arms enveloping me flashed vividly in my mind, his voice echoing my name like a lifeline, tethering me back.

"Of course, Jesri would assume such idiocy. He'd prefer to see me bleed out for the remainder of the hour than offer assistance," I remarked bitterly, not caring if he told Jesri. He let out a low chuckle, but it quickly faded. "Thank you, Levon. For helping me once more that day."

He smiled with a nod. "If you accept the offer, I'll inform Jesri, and we can depart whenever you're ready." He hastened towards the door, appearing noticeably uneasy in my private chambers. Pausing just before exiting, he added, "I'm glad you're awake." With that, he slipped out before I could respond.

Although Levon appeared closer to my age and exuded a quiet charm, his presence still evoked the same unease I experienced around Jesri, who wanted power, wealth, and control.

Brushing aside the thought, I nestled deeper into the pillow, my mind churning with all the possibilities of leaving,actually leaving this place.A twinge of excitement nestled deep into my heart, carrying me off to a deep sleep.

"No more sleeping."

I felt a gentle pat on my feet and blinked at the warm, inviting light.

"Eat," Aoife insisted, setting a tray before me filled with a feast fit for a queen. My mouth watered at the sight of the sugared plums, savory pastries stuffed with an array of greens and sweet ham, andwarm, delicate eggs. I wasted no time devouring it all, savoring each bite and reveling in the lavish flavors.

"Oh, slow down!" Aoife teased, her laughter infectious as she took a bite of a sugared plum. Giggles escaped me effortlessly with each delightful taste. Whether it was thanks to Aoife's persuasive skills or Levon's, I couldn't say, but one thing was sure—Jesri wouldneverpermit me such food,especiallyafter afailedevaluation. I couldn't help but feel delighted, imagining Jesri's likely frustration.

I finished off the last bite with only crumbs left. My stomach, now uncomfortably full, churned with a sudden onset of nausea. I flopped back in bed as a genuine smile lined my lips. A rush of excitement coursed through me, imagining a world beyond the confines of Jesri's estate. Recollections of adventures shared by Jesri's friends and Calum's parents, who had fled to thedistant East Ulvery Sea, flooded my mind. What had once felt like an unrealistic dream now seemed within reach. Despite the upcoming training with Levon for the Match, no one cares to tell me about it. The prospect of leaving behind these yellowed walls fills me with hope.

"Aoife, help me get dressed, will you? I'd like to get some fresh air."

She gave me a look before helping me rise from the bed, grounding me with a comforting sense of normalcy. I couldn't help but wonder if I truly needed the help, considering how surprisingly well I felt despite the lingering discomfort in my leg and small thrum of pain in my head.

Aoife helped me into a pale yellow dress with sheer sleeves adorned with delicate blue flowers along the hem. Wearing the dress felt rejuvenating as if declaring to Jesri and Levon that I could exceed their expectations and be more than just a pawn in their game.

She wove my hair into a long braid down my back and helped me slip into my shoes. Despite anticipating whatever this new adventure held, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving Aoife behind. Her gentle demeanor and motherly kindness had always comforted me, making her feel more like family than I had ever considered Jesri or even Calum to be.

My thoughts drifted to Cal, and the memories of our time together under the wretched wish tree flooded my mind. I knew I would miss him too.

"Aoife, have you seen Calum around?" I inquired, finding it odd that he had yet to visit. But then again, I should expect nothing less from him. I cleared my throat, hoping to dispel the swirling thoughts.

"I saw him briefly yesterday after breakfast but not since then," she replied.

I nodded, forcing my expression into one of unconcern. Standing up from the vanity, I linked arms with her. "Care to take a walk with me?"

After walking a few laps around the gardens, Aoife decided it was time to return and attend to her other duties, encouraging me to rest. Feeling a slight ache in my leg, I agreed it would be wise; plus, I wanted to continue my search in the library to calm my growing anxieties about the impending departure and find more information about why Levon and Jesri were discussing the Leonardian War.

My heels clicked against the freshly polished floors as I entered the library. The air was thick with dust, and the scent of mildew was evidence of pages left unread for years. Enjoying the solitude, I relished the quietness of my thoughts. The shelves towered high and wide as I went to where I had left off, reading a book containing information about the Spellcasters.

Approaching the shelf, I noticed the book was missing, along with several others nearby. Furrowing my brows, I wondered who had been rummaging through them.

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