Richard stood before the grand entrance of his family home. Two weeks in the sanctuary had felt both like an eternity and the blink of an eye. He'd spent those days recovering from the arrow that had pierced his chest, hoping for Barbara to visit again, but since that day, he had not seen her. He knew he had to make a hard effort to win her back.
As he stepped inside, the scent of lavender filled his senses, making him stand there blankly, remembering his mother's warm welcome. If she had known that he was injured, what would her reaction be? She would be sad, of course. The air felt thick with disappointment. He had hoped for some semblance of familial unity upon his return, but instead, he was met with the silence of absence.
With a deep sigh, Richard turned to walk toward his room. The butler awaited him in the hall, his expression a mask of professionalism.
"Aldridge, where is my father?" Richard wasted no time with pleasantries.
