I woke with the widest smile on my face.
The dream had been so warm.
I could still feel the tenderness of the father, the way he held the child with such love.
It reminded me of my own father.
I was now certain that these dreams were not mere imagination.
I was dreaming of real people—from another world, perhaps another time.
It sounded foolish, yet how else could I explain seeing the same girl again and again? It felt as though I was living her memories.
In the dream, she could not have been older than four or five.
And yet… how did such a loving father become the cruel man I knew now?
In that memory, he held her as though she were his whole world.
Strangely, I could feel his love.
I hoped the dreams would continue.
The following days passed in peace.
The duke sent word that his journey would be extended by another week. I could not remember the last time I felt such relief.
My relationship with Henry improved greatly during that time.
We shared tea every afternoon, and sometimes we walked together in the gardens.
Much of our conversation centered on the memoir I had been reading.
I had finished the Eastern and Southern kingdoms and was now reading of the Western lands.
Henry had never visited those regions, as they were now enemy territories.
Still, he listened with interest, asking questions and sharing his thoughts.
Today, after two days of pleading, he agreed to teach me how to ride a horse.
It was a skill I needed—especially if I wished to escape one day.
At the stables, he chose a mare with a light brown coat.
"Her name is Jade," Henry said softly as he stroked her neck.
"She is the gentlest we have."
I approached her carefully and placed my hand upon her head.
Jade lifted her muzzle, nudged my hand, and began to lick it.
I laughed and turned to Henry. "Look—she is licking my hand."
"I believe she likes you," he said, smiling gently.
I felt my cheeks warm. Henry rarely smiled, and when he did, it was quiet and sincere.
"You should smile more," I said. "You have a very beautiful smile."
He stared at me, startled, his cheeks turning red. "A-alright," he said quickly. "Enough talking. I will help you mount."
He assisted me onto Jade's back. I grew nervous and clutched her neck.
"You will not fall," Henry laughed.
"Sit straight. I am here."
"Promise you will catch me if I do," I said firmly.
He met my eyes. "I promise I will always catch you, Aria."
I smiled and straightened my back.
He instructed me carefully—how to hold the reins, how to position my legs. Jade began to move, slow and steady.
Soon, she picked up speed, and the wind brushed against my face. It felt wonderful.
"You are doing very well," Henry called. "You are a natural."
By the time we returned, the sun was setting. My body ached—my back and inner legs burned—but Henry assured me the pain would pass with practice.
That night, I bathed and went to bed. Only two days remained before the duke's return.
Should I go see Leo? I wondered. Is he truly waiting each night?
But exhaustion claimed me before I could decide.
---------------------------------
"Thank you for the amazing birthday party," I said, hugging David as we lay on his bed.
"Not everyone gets a party like that at sixteen."
He hugged me back. "You deserved it."
"By the way," I added, "Emily is really sweet. You two suit each other."
"She is," he said, absently stroking my arm.
After a moment, I spoke again.
"I had a strange dream last night. It felt… historical. Like Victorian times or something. I was seeing everything through a little girl's eyes."
"Let me guess," David said, smirking. "You watched Pride and Prejudice again before bed."
"Hey," I shot back, "that movie is amazing. Your loss for never watching it."
He laughed. "Alright, alright. What happened in the dream?"
"The girl's father was murdered," I said quietly.
"I was standing over his body—there was blood everywhere. I was screaming and crying, and people were trying to pull me away, but I kept trying to wake him."
"Wow," David said. "Even your dreams are dramatic."
"Oh, shut up," I said, hitting his chest lightly.
He laughed. "Go on."
"A woman grabbed me and kept saying, 'Stop it, Aria, he is dead.'
When I woke up, I was crying. I felt completely broken."
David shrugged. "You're sensitive. It's normal for you."
"Ugh, you're annoying," I said, grabbing a pillow and hitting him.
"Oh, you want a war now Julia Goodwin?" he said, grabbing one himself.
"Because I'm ready."
"I was born ready," I said confidently. "Bring it on, David Becker."