Chapter 237: A Royal Lineage
The first light of dawn crept softly through the curtains as Lara stirred awake. Stretching her limbs, she realized she had slept dreamlessly, the kind of sleep that wrapped around her like a cocoon and refused to let go. Perhaps it was the first real rest she’d had since their relentless ten-day journey. But was that truly the only reason?
A lingering warmth and subtle scent of flowers still clung to her thoughts, an unfamiliar comfort she couldn’t quite place.
She got out of bed and went to the corner, where a washstand stood. The night before, Reya had thoughtfully placed a jug of water and a basin on the washstand, which didn’t have a sink or plumbing. It was simply a small counter with enough space to hold the small basin and jug.
Underneath the washstand was a chamberpot, which Lara awkwardly used. She promised herself that during her stay at the manor, she would spend time introducing a flashing toilet, if not one that was more hygienic and less smelly.
She sensed a presence at the door, and she silently opened it. To her surprise, Sandoz stood just outside, dressed in his training attire, his posture upright and brimming with energy.
"Sis, we haven’t trained properly in the last ten days," he said with a grin that brightened his whole face. Yet his eyes betrayed him—there was a shadow there, a flicker of sadness that she caught but chose to ignore. Some things were too fragile to touch.
Lara smiled back, her tone gentle. "Little Bro, go get Little Grey and Snow. They need exercise too, now that they’ve grown up a little bit."
The suggestion worked like magic. Sandoz’s eyes lit up as he dashed back into the room, scooping up the small bamboo basket that housed the two pups. Little Grey, with its dark fur and sharp eyes, eagerly licked his hand, drawing a giggle from Sandoz that echoed through the hallway.
Sandoz was still a little boy, easily swayed by simple things.