CHAPTER 12 - A Week in Evermont
A week had passed since Keira arrived at the Evermont Residence.
The first few days had felt unfamiliar.
Every corridor, every room, even the way the servants bowed their heads still felt like part of someone else's life.
But slowly, the great house began to feel… easier to live in.
Mornings in Evermont were always quiet.
A thin mist often hung above the back gardens, and the sound of birds was heard more often than the footsteps of guards.
Keira stood on the balcony of her room, looking down at the wide courtyard below.
She still wasn't completely used to the view.
But at least now she no longer felt like a stranger who had wandered into the wrong place.
Footsteps sounded behind her.
"You've been awake for a while?"
Keira turned.
Daniel stood in the doorway, still looking half-asleep.
"You know, in our world, this hour is still way too early for normal people."
Keira smiled faintly.
"In this world, apparently not."
Daniel walked in and leaned against the balcony railing.
"Cassian already went to the training hall," he said.
"Kael too."
Keira nodded slightly.
Over the past week, the rhythm of life in Evermont had become clear.
Cassian almost always started his day earlier than anyone else.
As Duke, most of his time was spent managing the Evermont territory, meeting with the guards, or reviewing reports from the northern villages.
Kael was often seen in the training yard.
And even though he was not officially assigned as Keira's guard here, he never really stayed far away.
As if keeping a respectful distance.
Daniel glanced at Keira.
"You seem calmer."
Keira looked at the garden below once more.
"Maybe."
She did not deny it.
There was one simple reason.
Keenan.
He was in this world.
Even though Keira didn't yet know whose body he was in.
Even though she didn't even know if Keenan himself realized it.
The mere fact that he existed here made something in her chest feel lighter.
"Still no signs?" Daniel crossed his arms.
"Not yet." Keira shook her head slowly.
Nevil was right.
If Keenan's soul was in this world, Keira might not recognize him with her eyes.
But one day, she was certain she would feel it.
Daniel looked out at the courtyard below.
"Valtherion is big."
"Yes."
"That means our search might take a long time."
Keira didn't seem bothered by the possibility.
She only said quietly,
"I don't mind."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously?"
Keira looked up at the morning sky.
"For the first time since all of this happened…"
She paused for a moment.
"…I know he's still out there."
The morning wind drifted softly across the balcony.
And for the first time since returning to this world…
Keira no longer felt alone.