“Is everyone there already?”


    “Yes, I believe so, my lady,” the servant replied, her tone brisk as she stepped ahead, leading the way down the corridor. The sound of her shoes on the polished floor echoed quietly in the stillness of the morning.


    Elise followed, her gaze drifting as they missed a turn. From the looks of it, they might even be heading downstairs. The faint scent of wax and old wood lingered in the air. “Where are we going? Is the dining room not in use today?”


    The servant hesitated, her stride faltering. She turned, bowing deeply, a slight flush creeping up her cheeks. “I beg your pardon, Lady Kenjigawa. I should have informed you—the lord has decided that breakfast will be held in the great hall today.”


    Elise arched a delicate brow, her expression betraying only mild curiosity. “Are we expecting guests?”


    “No, my lady, not to my knowledge. If there are, I haven’t been informed. Perhaps the lord simply had a change of preference.” The servant’s tone was careful, but her hands fidgeted at her sides.


    “I see. Lead on, then.”


    The servant bowed once more. “Again, I apologize, my lady. This won’t happen again.” She turned and resumed her path, her shoulders just a fraction tenser than before.


    Elise followed in silence, her steps measured, her thoughts drifting. She knew this castle as well as she knew her own reflection, every corner and corridor etched into her memory. Even in a state of intoxication, not that such indulgence was ever allowed, she could find her way without issue. Yet here she was, trailing obediently behind a servant, as decorum demanded.


    It was a peculiar restriction, one she had almost forgotten in the years spent away from this life. A noblewoman must always be accompanied, her movements an exercise in grace and submission, her independence wrapped tightly in the guise of propriety.


    Once, she had embraced these rules with the unthinking ease of youth, the habits of her station as natural as breathing. But that was a different Elise, in a different time. Years spent roaming under different names, following different codes, had stripped away those old reflexes. Now, this deference felt strange, almost stifling, a cage disguised as civility.


    The servant glanced back briefly, as if to ensure she was still following. Elise offered a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Yes, she would play the part. She always had. She would not embody the name she so proudly bore if she failed to adhere to circumstance. But the girl she’d been, who had once walked these halls without question, was gone. And this time, she knew exactly how small the walls of this life truly were.


    “Beyond this door, my lady,” the servant said, her hand sweeping toward the double doors, their surface etched with intricate carvings of overlapping shapes. “I will remain here. Please, enjoy your meal.”


    Elise inclined her head in acknowledgment. The servant’s words hung in the air like a benediction as two additional servants, standing by the doors, stepped forward, their hands steady against the heavy oak. With a low groan, the doors swung open, revealing the hall within.


    The chamber seemed to breathe with life. Large oil lanterns hung high on wrought-iron chains, their golden light spilling across the room in waves. Shadows danced and wavered on the stone walls, which were decorated with family banners and artwork collected and gifted over generations.


    She lingered at the threshold, the soft click of her shoes against the stone. The air was rich with the scent of roasted meats, vegetables, and spiced wine, underscored by the woody perfume of the crackling hearthfire at the far end. It wasn’t the smell of breakfast.


    Seated at one of the long dining tables in the center of the hall, modest in comparison to the grandeur surrounding it, she observed her family sitting exclusively along its upper length. Each was caught in their own quiet rituals: a spoon stirred, a hand rested on a cup, a spoken word or two lost in the vastness of the room.


    At the head of the table sat her father, a man of quiet authority, his sharp eyes lifting from a cup of wine to meet the newcomer’s gaze. Beside him, her mother exuded composed grace, her hands folded neatly in her lap, though the tilt of her head suggested an unspoken question. Elise lowered her eyes in deference, silently apologizing for her tardiness.


    The mistress, seated further down, was a clear difference to the mother''s modest dress, draped in luxurious silks, her lips curved into a subtle smile as she twirled her cup. She watched with an air of amusement, waving her hand to Elise in greeting.


    Her sister, a twin in birth but not in appearance, perched beside the mistress, was the picture of youth, her features lit with a quiet conformity as she traced the edge of her empty plate with a finger. Her timid eyes darted up to Elise, reflecting a mix of concern and expectation.


    Her two brothers, one true and the other half, seated side by side across the table from the girls, the oldest sitting closer to father. The duo presented a difference in manners. The oldest lounged carelessly in his chair, a smirk playing at his lips as if he found the entire affair tiresome, while the other sat with a rigid posture, his expression unreadable.


    The weight of their gazes increased on her as she took slow steps forward, and bowed lightly. “I apologize for my lateness, despite being the first to rise.”


    Her father grinned. “And here I assumed you slept in for once. I''ve been unable to see you of late, but the servants tell me you still wander around before morn. Did you patrol the halls today too?”


    “No, father. I remained in my room until the sun came up.”


    “Doing what?”


    “Listening to the munichskavs sing.”


    He laughed, taking another sip of his wine. “I will never understand what you find so amusing about their chirps. But maybe I''ve seen too much blood.”


    Her mother gave him a stern gaze. “Don''t mention such things in the morning,” she warned.


    “I''m sorry, my dear, I''ll be more mindful of my words. Elise, come, I might''ve asked why you''ve come last of norm, but I suspect the reason wouldn''t pull my interest. And I simply wish to eat as soon as possible. Ven, Anslen, move a seat down, both of yous.”


    “What do you mean?” Ven complained. “She can sit over there. This is our side of the table.”


    “I said move you dimwit, your face annoys me. You think I care what gender you are in a private meal? You''re a lady yourself if I''ve seen one. Damn near twenty and still haven''t gotten your first kill. Should be ashamed.”


    “How can I get a kill if you won''t let me fight even a crippled mon?”


    “That''s your problem to figure out, isn''t it, son?”


    “Dear god…” Ven gasped, frustrated.


    “I can sit beside my sister, father, there is no need,” Elise said humbly.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    “But I want you here,” he pointed, “come, come. Let''s not delay any further, I wish to eat.”


    Elise looked to her mother for reassurance, who gave her a faint nod of approval, granting her permission to sit on the men''s side of the table.


    Seeing this, her father frowned in dissatisfaction. “What? My dear, is it not obvious that this is a private meal, why must you give permission? Is it too much to have my daughter sit beside me? You don''t have to be so strict amidst blood.”


    “You''re the one who insisted we eat in the great hall. There are rules,” her mother replied firmly.


    “Let''s not be so harsh in the morning,” the mistress leaned in, “I’d for one, prefer a slow start to the day.”


    “So do I, Licia, and in consideration of your preference, I will ignore this lack of dignity,” her mother said, glaring blades at her husband.


    In the meantime, Elise had already taken her seat, her gaze fixed with quiet patience. The food before her still steamed, its warmth rising in the chill of the morning, which was colder than usual. The steam swirled in the air, a visible reminder of the meal’s freshness. Bowls of noodles and rice sat alongside broths that hinted at rich flavors, plates of tender beef, lamb, and vegetables, and neatly arranged dumplings. A side of sliced pears and apples added a touch of sweetness, while three bottles of rice wine stood in disregard of the early hour. It was a hearty spread, far more suited to an evening feast than breakfast, certainly not the kind of meal her mother would approve of.


    “It''s the wine, isn''t it,” shaking his cup in front of his wife, pissing his own death warrant. “You''re just not happy I''m drinking.”


    “The drink isn''t the issue, but rather, the hour. And if I may ask, for the 4th time,” she emphasized, “why are you drinking so early in the morning?”


    Licia, also sipping wine, quickly averted her gaze as the drink touched her lips.


    “Can I not?” the husband replied, his tone sincere.


    “That''s not an answer,” the wife almost snared.


    What a loving marriage, Elise thought, her fingers idly tracing the edge of her silver spoon. The two of them had never been this sociable in her past life, and her father, especially, had never been this talkative. She glanced at Licia, the woman her father had taken as a mistress a few years after Elise’s birth. Of peasant origin, with a merchant’s background, Licia hadn’t existed in Elise’s previous life. The family she remembered was smaller, colder, just an older brother and two distant parents. Now, she found herself with an extra kashear, a twin sister, and a younger half-brother. A close-knit family, at least by her judgment.


    “Can we eat yet? I''m starving,” Ven said.


    “Then eat. No one’s stopping you,” her father replied.


    “How can I do that if you haven''t taken a single bite yet? All you''ve done is drink.”


    “What has that gotta do with you? If you want to eat, then eat.”


    “Mother will kill me, you boar headed fool.”


    “Is this how you talk to your father?!”


    “Is this how you educate your son?” Her mother interjected, disappointment evident.


    “It''s not my fault he earned such a fucking mouth. I teach him, and he doesn''t listen,” the husband reasoned.


    “How am I meant to learn anything if all you do is make me watch?” Ven answered back.


    “Watch and learn, what''s so hard to understand son?”


    “Do I look like a beggar? Am I not your son? A lord''s son. So doesn''t that mean proper education has to be done with words and patience. I think it''s quite obvious who''s lacking here,” Ven smirked.


    “Ohhh, lookie here… When the fuck did you get so eloquence my dear boy? So the only time you use your head is to burn my hand is it? We''ll see in the training ground.”


    “Wha—fa-father please.”


    “No no no, you insist, right? With words. I''ll make sure to yell the diction when I swing my stick.”


    “Father, brother, if I may,” Elise intruded. “I believe the food is getting cold.”


    "Right..." her father replied, reaching for a piece of beef with his chopsticks. He threw the piece into his mouth, and said, “There you go, etiquette served, eat, eat. You don''t have to wait for me no more.”


    And with that, everyone began to eat. Elise wasted no time, eagerly reaching for the meat, her favorite, a luxury she hadn’t often tasted in her past life.


    Her mother, however, didn’t share her enthusiasm. “Elise, it is good for a woman to have an imbalanced diet, preferably towards the greens,” she cautioned.


    “It is good I''m not a woman yet, mother,” Elise smiled, her tone tender, snagging two more pieces of lamb. “Father, why are we eating in the great hall? What''s the occasion?”


    “We are about to receive guests in a few days’ time. It is good to get accustomed to the hall before they come. And I like the change in scenery.”


    “Who?”


    “Commander Astraeus and a few other important guests. They bring a small army, same size as ours. It seems my request has finally been answered.”


    “What is there to get accustomed to when they are military? I don''t recall a time when women were present in the greeting halls of warrior men,” her mother said dismissively.


    “My dear,” he said kindly, “having you here helps me get accustomed faster.”


    “Talk to your wine, my lord and husband, your mouth displeases me.”


    Licia nearly choked on her food, struggling to suppress a laugh, while Ven grinned from ear to ear.


    “Why have they come, father? I doubt the royal army would come without reason. Our territory isn''t known for leisure, nor stationing soldiers other than our own,” Elise said.


    “My, Elise, you''ve been paying attention to the wrong subjects,” her father chuckled.


    “I like to learn, father, I take after you. So if you''d allow me to peek upon your duties.”


    “You have a way with words my daughter, Ven could learn a lot from you,” he smiled.


    “What can I learn from her?” Ven said in irritation. “She never had to learn anything in her life. Perfect this, perfect that.”


    “Ven,” her mother scolded. “You will not fight with your sister.”


    “Yes… mother,” Ven answered submissively.


    “Father, please, I wish to hear,” Elise continued, re-capturing his attention, ignoring her brother''s words completely.


    “Commander Astraeus comes to help us with the growing infestation. The monsters have been getting unusually aggressive, confident, making everything difficult, trade especially. Isn''t that right Licia?”


    “I certainly haven''t been leaving this castle, that''s for sure,” answered Licia. “I hear a few villages out west have found themselves wiped.”


    “It is quite an issue,” her father added. “The royal army will help exterminate them, from the important areas anyways. Plus this would be a good opportunity for the royal soldiers, they will learn to deal with monsters.”


    “Does the royal army not deal with monsters?” Elise asked.


    “Not to this degree, only our forces, the ruling lords, focus on the monsters. I would expect only a small portion of them to have any experience. Killing monsters is not their main role as core soldiers of Vela. This will help them greatly, a perfect substitute for war, I''m sure they''ll take a liking to our beasts, ours are more vicious.”


    “How bad is the infestation? What areas are you focusing on?”


    “My daughter, I believe that is enough. Girls should not learn of such things, especially mine, it does you no good. Monsters are unpleasant things that should not occupy you. I will keep you safe. You''ll never have to worry about any dangers while I live.”


    “I understand,” Elise said.


    While he lived, she wandered, the words burning into her mind. Though her former father had never offered such reassurances, they still rang true. Things hadn’t gone wrong until his death, when the world outside intruded upon her sanctuary of peace, the moment her path altered, veering into darkness. It was then that the notion of fighting first emerged, that she herself could ever harm another, that she had any right to protect herself. But that notion didn''t come into fruition until much later. A lamb that didn''t know it could kill.


    “Ven, have you been listening? I said Commander Astraeus is coming.”


    “I heard, father. You don''t have to repeat yourself.”


    “Then you should also know that his son comes too. Make good friends with him, it doesn''t hurt to have an ashik as your ally.”


    “Isn''t their family just a hashy?” Ven scoffed arrogantly, “Not as important as ours.”


    “Ven! When has your head started to rot? Hash or not they''re still ashik, a founding. Such a long standing family holds great influence, especially in the courts. He can help you when you get in trouble, not to mention his uncle is Lord Astraeus, a general. The boy has a bright future, do anything you can to honor him.”


    “Yes, father,” Ven answered reluctantly.


    “Enough talk,” her mother said. “You''re barely eating, too busy waving your wine around. Eat in silence, we''ll be here for another hour with all this chatter. The day is short, and I have preparations to make for our guests.”


    “I can eat and talk, it''s fine.”


    She glared at her husband.


    “Bu-but just eating is fine too,” he stuttered.