The carriage ride from the palace to Lyra's family manor was quiet, the city streets of Oakhart stretching wide and bustling around them. The triumphant echoes of the throne room were replaced by the soft clip-clop of horses' hooves and the occasional whisper of the wind against the carriage windows. Rory, sitting beside Elise, leaned forward every few moments, peering curiously at the passing buildings. His eyes still held a spark of excitement from the cheers in the streets, though it was tempered now by fatigue.
Selene sat in the seat before Lyra, hands gripping the edge of the carriage bench nervously while the motion of the carriage was gentler than a horse, her tension was palpable. Lyra's presence behind her, a steady weight of reassurance, was the only thing keeping her from fidgeting uncontrollably.
"You're doing fine," Lyra murmured, placing a hand lightly on Selene's shoulder. "Just keep your balance and don't worry about the rest. I've got you."
Selene nodded, swallowing hard. The memory of the crowded streets, the cheers, and the noise of the palace still haunted her. She had never felt so exposed, yet here, on the quieter roads leading home, the anxiety lingered, a shadow that refused to lift.
Rory's small voice broke the silence. "General Lyra… do you think I could be a hero too someday?"
Lyra smiled, a tired but genuine curl of her lips. "Yes" she said softly, "you can protect those you care about. That's what really matters."
Elise squeezed Rory's shoulder, nodding. "Listen to the General, Rory. Being brave isn't just about fighting—it's about doing what's right, even when it's hard."
The carriage turned onto the manor's private road, lined with tall oaks and hedges trimmed meticulously, a quiet contrast to the bustling city. The manor itself stood modest but stately, a reflection of Lyra's family's lineage: sturdy walls, wide windows, and a courtyard that had seen generations of children play and soldiers train.
Lilith, Lyra's mother, appeared at the gates before the carriage even came to a halt. Her eyes, sharp and discerning, immediately swept over the passengers. She radiated grace and authority, every movement deliberate, yet there was a warmth to her initial smile. "Lyra, my darling!" she called, stepping forward to embrace her daughter. "You look… exhausted. Come, come in. A hot bath and a meal are in order before the celebration tonight."
Lyra allowed herself a brief smile in return, but she could sense Lilith's gaze shifting as it landed on Selene. The warmth drained slightly, replaced by a cool, measuring stare.
"And who is this young lady?" Lilith asked, her voice smooth but pointed. "A ward? A traveling companion? Lyra, I do hope you are not bringing trouble into our home."
"This is Selene," Lyra said carefully, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "My personal ward. She's… here to study at the royal library while I complete my duties."
Lilith's eyebrows lifted ever so slightly. She was a master at reading between the lines, and Lyra could feel the silent questioning behind the polite phrasing. "Very well. A room will be prepared for you." She gestured subtly to a servant, who promptly began guiding Selene away. The room was positioned at the far end of the manor, distant from Lyra's own chambers, a deliberate choice.
As the door closed behind Selene, Lilith turned back to Lyra, her voice dropping to a softer, serious tone. "Lyra… what is this I hear about your refusal of the King's marriage proposal?" Her tone was not accusatory, yet it carried a weight of disappointment that pressed down like a stone. "You can't simply defy his wishes. The court is buzzing, and the King's favor is not easily regained once lost."
Lyra exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair. "Mother, it wasn't defiance. I asked for more time to secure the borders, that's all. It was a tactical refusal."
Lilith's gaze sharpened, and the edges of her smile hardened. "Was it? Or was it because of that girl? The one you brought here. Don't think I didn't notice how you look at her, Lyra. You would risk your future, our family's position, for a girl you barely know?"
Lyra's jaw tightened. She could not reveal Selene's true nature, nor the secrets she carried. "Selene is important. Her safety… that is my priority," she said firmly, choosing each word with care.
Lilith's eyes darkened slightly. "More important than an alliance with the royal family? More important than securing Oakhart's future and our family's influence?" Her voice carried the weight of generations of ambition. "I understand loyalty, Lyra, but this… this is dangerous. Mark my words, this girl could ruin everything you've built."
Rory, sitting nearby, noticed the tension and shifted slightly closer to Selene's room, a silent act of loyalty toward the girl who had come to mean so much to him during their journey. Selene, feeling the weight of Lilith's gaze even from afar, drew herself up, trying to appear composed despite the sinking feeling in her chest.
Lyra met her mother's eyes, steady and unyielding. "I will not marry Princess Kylie—not now, not while my duty to the kingdom is incomplete. And I will not put Selene at risk to satisfy political ambition. That is final."
Lilith shook her head, a mixture of frustration and profound disappointment settling over her features. The room, filled with the quiet creaks of the manor and distant wind through the oaks, seemed suddenly heavier. The homecoming, meant to be a moment of relief and reunion, had become another battlefield—this one of words, intentions, and loyalties.
Lyra turned away briefly, glancing out the window at the sprawling city lights of Oakhart in the distance. Her heart was heavy, but firm in resolve. She would protect Selene. She would navigate the court's expectations. And she would endure the subtle, personal battles at home, just as she had endured countless ones on the battlefield.
In the stillness, Rory's small voice whispered again, "It's going to be okay, Selene. I promise."
Selene allowed herself a small, grateful smile. Even in a home filled with tension, allies—though small and innocent—were never to be underestimated. And as the shadows lengthened through the manor halls, Lyra knew that every choice she made would shape the fragile peace not just for the kingdom, but for the people she had come to care for most.