It had been an exhausting day. Leesa retired to bed immediately upon returning home. During the carriage ride to the Marlene residence, Weinne and Byrant sang praises of Leesa's victory, while Leesa herself contemplated the forthcoming implications of her potential role as the crown prince's aide. Internally conflicted, she weighed the pros and cons of accepting the position - the prospect of enhancing her skills and techniques while serving Flavian, versus the possibility of leaving her tranquil life at the Marlene residence to work closely with a crown prince whom she held the top most position on her suspicion list. Another option loomed - rejecting the offer and maintaining her familiar way of life.
She thought to herself, 'Ugh, do I really have to choose between being with a suspicious person or living with a non-stop chatterbox who has a talent for making rarely eatable food? This is like choosing between the lesser of two evils!' But then again, why not just get the best of both worlds? She could accept the offer, get peace of mind from Byrant's chattering and keep an eye on Flavian while getting to strengthen her skills and techniques!
There was supposed to be a victory party for Leesa but as she was tired, they all decided to keep it for the next day. "Isn't our daughter amazing Darrell?" asks Lilian with sparkles in her eyes, feeling proud of Leesa's win.
He has been quiet all through their journey and even when Leesa achieved the proud victory. And now when his wife asked him a question he started thinking and answered "Yes, she certainly is."
"Why are you being so gloomy today? Aren't you happy Leesa won the tournament?"
"Leesa..., Has she always been this powerful? I don't know how to feel about this at all. I've never seen her like this before. She was this little precious gem I had to protect and now she has become someone who doesn't need protection at all. It's like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly. You know it's inevitable, but it still feels surreal to see the transformation in front of your eyes. And also, I'm worried about her being the crown prince's bodyguard. What if something happens to her?"
"Are you talking about the time when she was a baby and couldn't even walk? DARRELL! She is all grown up now and she is more than capable of taking care of herself, though," Lilian said reassuringly. "I'm sure she can handle any danger that might come across her. She's a strong and skilled lady."
"Yes, dear I am unwillingly aware."
The next day was the day of celebration. The chef had exclusively prepared all of Leesa's favourite food for it was a celebration of Leesa's grand victory in an empire-wide tournament. All the servants had taken the privilege to decorate the duke's palace for this joyousness that had spread in the air of the whole Dukedom since yesterday. Leesa, Byrant, Lilian, Darrell and the former duke and duchess were at the dining table enjoying their food, while the former duke and Byrant were praising and cheering for Leesa's victory.
Lillian was proud of her daughter and smiled at the sight of her family enjoying the celebration. But seeing Leesa a bit spaced out, she asked, "Leesa dear, why are you looking a bit down? What are you thinking about?"
"Ah, Mother, you know the reward for winning the tournament?"
"Yes, of course dear, why, you are going to be the crown prince's aid? No?"
"Yes, about that. Now that I have earned the position, I am supposed to stay at the imperial palace. So, I will have to leave the duke's residence the day after tomorrow and I will be only allowed to come back when I am permitted a break or vacation."
The atmosphere around the dining table transformed abruptly, like a curtain dropping on a lively performance. Silence descended, heavy and suffocating, as if the very air had turned into a dense fog. Darrell, sitting at the head of the table, felt as though a sword of ice had been thrust unceremoniously into the depths of his gut. His face, which had been livened in conversation just moments before, was now contorted in a mixture of disbelief and shock.
Bryant, the youngest of the family, slumped in his chair, his eyes wide and unblinking like a deer caught in headlights. His features were engraved with a mixture of confusion and the sheer weight of the revelation that had just been dropped on him. His lower lip quivered slightly, a precursor to the storm of emotions that threatened to break free.
The former duke and duchess exchanged a bewildered glance. Their expressions mirrored their internal struggle to process the unexpected twist that had disrupted the otherwise serene evening. The creases on the duke's forehead deepened, while the duchess instinctively reached for her husband's hand, seeking solace in the midst of the storm of uncertainty.
Amid this tableau of emotional turmoil, it was Lilian who managed to retain her composure, her demeanour a testament to her years of training in courtly etiquette. Her eyes, though harbouring a flicker of astonishment, still held a glimmer of steadiness. She turned her gaze towards Leesa, the source of this bombshell. With a grace that only she could muster in such a tense moment, Lilian's soft voice cut through the palpable tension like a soothing balm.
"Leesa dear," she said, her words carefully chosen, "have you thought about it? What do you want to do?" Lilian's voice held an undercurrent of empathy, a gentle reminder that decisions made in haste were rarely the wisest. Her question hung in the air, a lifeline of reason amidst the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to engulf them all.
Leesa looked up at her mother, grimacing with a hint of confusion on her face, and said "I don't know, I am still pondering over it, Mother." It was clear she was struggling with an impossible decision.
"It's okay dear. Take your time and if you need any advice I am always there."
"Yes, Mother, thank you."