FEW DAYS LATER
The great office of Duke Ronivar Valefor was silent and dark. Wooden walls and a high ceiling made her small as she stood before his desk.
Sunlight streamed through the high windows, catching the white of her hair, but Celeste's clasped hands trembled slightly. She made herself still, refusing to let them betray her of any weakness. Her icy blue eyes met her father's glacial stare briefly before his attention returned to the papers in front of him.
"I did it," she said quietly, her voice steady but laced with hope. "I became an A-ranked adventurer."
The duke didn't raise his head. The scratch of his pen against parchment was the only response.
The silence was growing thick, weighing upon her like a weight. Finally, Celeste worked up enough courage to ask, "Does that meet your expectations, Father?"
Her voice broke slightly, but she stood tall, willing herself to remain composed.
