Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 21 – Ashspire Estate, Elandor
Late Morning – Dining Hall
Creak.
Adonis came in late, as usual, after drills.
His pitch-black hair fell over his forehead, strands hiding bright-blue eyes. He was tall for twelve, a black tunic clung to his slim frame, damp and darkened in uneven patches from training.
He paused at the threshold, straightened his back, and bowed his head. His voice came steady despite the exhaustion.
"Forgive me."
He lifted his head, then stepped inside with quick strides, toward the empty seat beside Theodora, and sat down.
Theodora scrunched her nose, then elbowed him under the table, her voice carried a teasing edge.
"You smell."
Adonis let out a small laugh, leaning closer as though to whisper a secret.
"Better than smelling like your perfume."
Her face flushed red. She shot him a sharp glance, eyes flashing, and drove her elbow into his side again.
He winced, stifling a hiss.
I caught myself glancing at him, sweat still clinging to his hair and a smile tugging at his lips.
'The maids liked him because he smiled when he helped them. The stewards liked him because he remembered names.'
'Adonis was easy to like, and that alone was enough for Father to dislike him...'
I set my cup down, leaned his way slightly, and let my voice cut through their banter.
"How was the training?"
He looked up from his plate with a wide smile as he rubbed his side, where Theodora's elbow had landed.
"Good."
Theodora rolled her eyes and leaned his way, lips curling into a smirk
"He means he beat the training dummy until his hands bled."
I watched him from the corner of my eye as I lifted a loaf of bread, hiding my smile.
'Hardworking as ever. It's admirable how he never complains, never asks for more. Father,
though… Father only saw wasted effort. To him, diligence without ambition was nothing at all.'
Father didn't glance up, his knife slid cleanly through a slice of ham.
"The swordmaster's report came. Steady progress."
'Just that...no praise.'
Favian leaned back in his chair, lips curling into a sly grin, his eyes flicked toward Adonis before he spoke.
"Progress at twelve is expected."
Theodora countered.
"Not for everyone."
Mother's voice slipped between them, gentle yet firm, her eyes fixed on Theodora.
"Theodora."
Theodora straightened at once, her shoulders stiff, gaze dropping to the plate in front of her.
I broke a piece of bread and pushed the basket toward Adonis.
"Eat more. You'll faint in drills."
Adonis accepted with a small nod and grabbed a leaf of bread from the basket.
"Thanks."
Father set his knife down, red eyes looking toward Favian. His gaze lingered, carrying the weight of expectation and trust, before he spoke, voice firm.
"Tomorrow, you'll receive the Valmontis envoy at the door. Stand straight and show them proper respect."
Favian answered smoothly, a small smile touched his lips.
"As always, Father."
Father's gaze turned to me.
"You will handle the guild escorts. No mistakes."
I returned it, a knot tightening in my chest, but I held my voice steady.
"Yes, Father."
Father's eyes slid past me, landing on Adonis. His voice came firmer than with us.
"Adonis. Wash and present yourself when called."
Adonis looked up from his meal. His fork halted, then he set it down.
"Yes, my Lord."
'My Lord...'
The words hung in the air like smoke.
'Father never corrected him.'
Theodora leaned in, smirking, her soft voice slipping through the silence.
"He knows how to stand still."
Father's gaze dropped back to his plate, his voice came even.
"Then he can practice."
I watched the exchange.
Adonis held steady under Father's gaze. The way he kept his shoulders straight, even when tired, his face showed nothing but obedience.
How Theodora tried to defuse the conversation with her light banter. Father's response and how Adonis simply accepted it, as if that was the only way he knew how to exist.
The meal resumed, and silence stretched.
Until—
Creak.
Father pushed his chair back, the scrape of wood was loud against the stone floor.
He rose without a word, and we stood with him. He left with measured steps, and Favian followed.
Silence lingered a moment longer, broken only by mother's steps.
She circled the table and stopped beside Adonis. One hand came to rest on his shoulder, her green eyes soft as they looked
down at him. A proud smile touched her lips.
"You did well yesterday."
Adonis blinked, confused as he looked up.
"Yesterday?"
Mother's fingers lifted, brushing through his damp hair, smoothing it back with care. Her voice was warm.
"I read the report. Good work."
Adonis leaned into her touch, his lips forming a bright smile. Mother gave his shoulder a final
squeeze before she slipped away, her steps calm as she left the hall.
Theodora wasted no time. She drew close, hooking her arm with Adonis', pulling him forward with a grin.
"Come on, prodigy. Show me the new footwork."
His cheeks reddened as he let himself be dragged, his voice stumbled out low, almost shy.
"It's nothing new."
'Here they go again…'
She tugged his arm again, her steps light, almost bouncing. Mischief sparked in her eyes as she pulled him closer, leaning in with a sly smile to whisper.
"Don't you want to impress your big sis?"
Adonis flushed deeper as they stepped into the corridor.
I lingered behind, watching them head into the corridor. Then I moved, closing the distance,
falling just a step behind them.
My pace slowed, each step light.
A glance to the side caught the glass of the window, and there our reflections waited.
Theodora's brightness.
Adonis's obedience.
And me...one step behind, watching over them.