Chapter 334: Return to the South
A week after Mira became a concubine at Prince Reuben’s palace, Lara quietly left the capital for Calma, joining a caravan of merchants.
Surprisingly, two unexpected companions joined her: her mother, Lady Freya, and the genius metalsmith Hephastus. Their presence lent weight to the otherwise humble procession.
They were not the only ones on the move. General Odin and Gideon also rode with them, heading toward Carles on duty—to allow Galahad and Bener, to return to the capital. The general and his men traveled on horseback, while Lara, her mother, and Reya remained comfortably inside a carriage that rocked gently over the uneven terrain.
As they passed through the southern gates and the dense noise of Savadra faded behind them, Lara leaned out slightly, inhaling the crisper, cleaner air of the countryside. She turned to her mother and said with a trace of humor, "Mother, Calma is nothing like the capital. It’s quiet. Peaceful. You might even find it boring."
Lady Freya arched an elegant brow. "I want to see my brother. That brat—he didn’t even think to come home after all this time." Her voice was sharp with mock scorn, but beneath it was an unmistakable note of longing.
Lara smiled, a small one. So much had happened in the past few weeks that her sense of time had blurred. It took her a moment to recall that Primo Lenard was indeed her uncle—her mother’s younger brother.
"And besides," Freya added, softening as she clasped her daughter’s hand, "I’ve been trapped in Savadra too long. A change of scenery sounds... refreshing. And I’d like to thank your master in person—for everything he’s done for you."
Lara nodded, but her thoughts drifted to plans she had for the future. She could no longer stay in Narra Alley, especially with her mother accompanying her. Her siblings might also visit from time to time.
She had already discussed the idea with Alaric—no longer disguised as Kasmer, though he still wore a mask to protect his true identity. The conversation had turned serious when he reminded her of a critical detail: under Northem law, she couldn’t legally own land.