That evening, mother and daughter found themselves sharing a room—not out of choice, but necessity. The manor, though noble in structure, offered limited accommodations. They were assigned Lara's old room.
Jethru had long intended to expand the estate, but his vision for education took precedence. The school he was building had claimed both his resources and his focus.
Lady Freya, however, welcomed the arrangement. A rare chance, she thought, to rekindle a closeness with her daughter—both in heart and in presence. As they settled into the quiet room, she found comfort in the soft rustle of linens and the warmth of Lara's company.
Elsewhere on the grounds, Hephastus and the Norse guards had been housed in the martial arts dormitory. Few students had enrolled—Calma, after all, was a small, unassuming town—but it lent the manor a sense of readiness and discipline.
As the night deepened, Freya moved to the edge of the bed and sat beside Lara, who was quietly reading a letter.
