Chapter 6: A New Routine
Amara woke early, her body aching from the previous day's exertions in the kitchen. The success of the feast still lingered in her mind, a faint glow of pride that warmed her as she dressed in a practical gown and pulled her hair into a neat braid. She wasn't foolish enough to think she had fully earned her place in this house, but the feast had been a step forward, a way to show that she could contribute.
The estate was already buzzing with activity when she stepped into the main hall. Servants scurried past with baskets of supplies, and the rhythmic clang of metal echoed from the training grounds outside. Amara paused for a moment, letting the sound of this unfamiliar world wash over her. She felt out of place still, but less so than she had before.
"Good morning, my lady," Celia said, appearing at her side with a basket of folded linens. "You're up early."
"I have much to do," Amara replied, offering a small smile. "I want to review the household accounts again. There are still discrepancies I'd like to resolve."
Celia raised an eyebrow. "You're determined, I'll give you that. Not every noble lady would bother with ledgers and budgets."
Amara's smile tightened. "I don't have the luxury of ignoring them."
Celia nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Well, if you need anything, I'll be about. Mrs. Harkin's in the kitchen, if you want to start there."
Amara thanked her and made her way to the kitchen, where the scent of fresh bread greeted her. The staff, now more accustomed to her presence, offered polite nods as she entered. Mrs. Harkin glanced up from a pot she was stirring, her sharp eyes narrowing in curiosity.
"My lady," Mrs. Harkin said, wiping her hands on her apron. "What brings you here today?"
"I'd like to see the supply logs," Amara said. "If we're going to maintain the standards set during the feast, we'll need to ensure that resources are allocated properly."
Mrs. Harkin hesitated, then nodded toward a shelf stacked with ledgers. "They're all there. Good luck making sense of 'em."
Amara bit back a sigh. It wasn't exactly an endorsement, but it was permission enough. She retrieved the nearest ledger and began leafing through its pages. The records were chaotic, with inconsistent entries and missing details. It was no wonder there were discrepancies.
Out on the training grounds, Kael parried a strike from one of his lieutenants, his movements fluid and precise. His men surrounded him in a circle, their cheers and laughter filling the crisp morning air. Kael's focus rarely wavered during these drills, but today, his thoughts kept drifting.
From the corner of his eye, he could see the servants moving about the estate, many of them glancing toward the house with expressions of curiosity. Word of Amara's involvement in the feast had spread quickly, and while some dismissed it as a token gesture, others saw it as the first sign of her willingness to adapt.
"Your guard's slipping, my lord," his lieutenant teased, breaking through Kael's defenses with a well-placed jab.
Kael stepped back, shaking his head with a faint smirk. "Not bad, Reynold. But don't let it go to your head."
Reynold laughed, wiping sweat from his brow. "The men have been talking about Lady Vyren. Seems she's got a knack for surprising people."
Kael's smirk faded. "She's finding her place."
"Seems so," Reynold said, his tone light but sincere. "A bit of change around here might not be a bad thing."
Kael grunted in response, turning his attention back to the sparring dummy. Change. He wasn't sure if it was a blessing or a complication, but it was happening, whether he liked it or not.
Later that day, as Amara reviewed the ledgers in the courtyard, her focus was interrupted by the sound of voices. Two soldiers stood nearby, their conversation low but urgent.
"They've been getting closer," one said, his brow furrowed. "The villagers are terrified. They don't have the means to defend themselves."
"And the lord hasn't sent reinforcements?" the other asked.
"Not yet. They're stretched thin as it is."
Amara set the ledger aside, her stomach twisting. She rose from her seat and approached the soldiers, her steps tentative but purposeful.
"Excuse me," she said, and the men turned to her, startled. "What's this about villagers being in danger?"
The first soldier hesitated, glancing at his companion before replying. "There have been reports of monster attacks in a village near the western border. Wolves, mostly, but bigger. More aggressive."
Amara's chest tightened. "And no one has gone to help them?"
"We've sent scouts," the soldier said. "But without a proper force, there's not much we can do."
Amara's mind raced. These people were under Kael's protection, yet they were left to fend for themselves. It wasn't right. She thanked the soldiers and hurried back inside, determined to act.
Kael was in his study when Amara burst in, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright with resolve. He looked up from the map spread across his desk, his brow furrowing.
"Amara," he said, his tone cool. "What's the meaning of this?"
"I need to speak with you," she said firmly. "It's about the villagers near the western border."
Kael leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "What about them?"
"They're being attacked by monsters," Amara said. "Wolves, from what I've heard. The villagers are terrified, and they have no one to defend them."
Kael's expression darkened. "That's not your concern."
"How can you say that?" she demanded, stepping closer. "These people are under your protection. If you don't act, they'll suffer—or worse."
Kael's jaw tightened. "I am aware of the situation, but I cannot stretch my forces thin for every village that faces danger. We have priorities."
"Then make this a priority," Amara countered, her voice rising. "If you won't act, then what kind of lord are you?"
The words hung in the air like a challenge. Kael's eyes flashed, but instead of anger, there was something else: a flicker of surprise. For a moment, they stared at each other, the tension crackling between them.
Finally, Kael stood, his presence commanding as he loomed over her. "Very well," he said, his voice low. "I will handle it. But do not mistake this for a victory, Amara. You don't understand the weight of these decisions."
"I understand enough," she replied, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. "Thank you."
Kael watched her leave, his thoughts churning. She was bold, braver than he had expected. It unsettled him, but it also intrigued him.
---
That night, Amara sat by her window, staring out at the darkened estate. She knew she had taken a risk by confronting Kael, but she couldn't stand by and do nothing. Whatever the consequences, she would face them.
In his study, Kael poured himself a glass of wine, his gaze distant as he thought of her words. She was challenging him in ways no one else dared, and for the first time, he wondered if she might be exactly what this house needed.