Kleo Erili
Stories
3
Chapters
279
Words
645.5 K
Comments
210
Reading
2 d, 5 h
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Chapter 20 – An Honest Accounting In her chambersshe found Jenny asleep in an armchair. The young maid had obviously been waiting for her. A fire was still burning dimly in the fireplace and there was a carafe of now cold herbal tea on the small table. "Jenny," Valentina said gently and touched her shoulder. "Go to bed. It's late." The maid was startled. "Oh, my lady! I just wanted to... I thought you might need..." "You're very attentive," smiled Valentina. "But nowgo to sleep. Tomorrow is…-
425.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 21 – Taking the Leap Valentina stood in the dark corridor outside the duke's chambers. The moonlight that fell through the high windows did not penetrate the shadows that Valentina had drawn around herself. "The door is locked," Vyxara whispered in her head. "You remember the right pattern?" With her eyes closed, Valentina wove the right Essence pattern and let Luvt and Ard's searching feelers wander into the lock. The lock was secured by a protective pattern, but it did not even respond…
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425.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 22 – One Step Forward, Two to the Side Vyxara woke Valentina very early the next morning. She blinked sleepily, feeling a pleasant heaviness in her limbs and still a slight throbbing between her legsfrom the passionate night. The duke slept beside her, his breathing calm and even. "Time to go," whispered Vyxara. "The servants will be active soon." Valentina carefully slipped out of bed and picked up her nightdress and nightrobefrom the floor. The duke stirred briefly, but continued to…
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425.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 26 – The Theater Jenny hurriedly helped Valentina to change for the theater performance. The maid had already prepared a lavender-colored silk dress – one of the new gowns the duke had gotten her. "You should hurry," warned Vyxara. "After that little interlude in the garden, we don't want to keep the duke waiting too." Valentina tried to block out the memory of Lorenzo's near-kiss while Jenny helped her put on the dress. Her lips were still tingling from the anticipation of his…
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425.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 27 –Hostile Hospitality The familiar Leb Essence current of the Greystone Cascade surrounded Valentina as she formed the patterns, running her hands over the gaping wound. After all those weeks in Dusktown, the complex healing process was as familiar to her as breathing. "Better," Master Wilford grumbled approvingly. "Oh, a real compliment from the old curmudgeon?" laughed Vyxara in her head. "You've earned it. You're actually getting better and better." The days at the hospital ran…
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425.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 28 – A Friendly Wager "A bath will do you good," said Lady Celestine, leading Valentina through the steam-filled corridors of the exclusive bathhouse. Granite pillars rose from the hazy clouds and the splashing of water echoed from the vaulted ceilings. "After such an exhausting day at the hospital, you need some relaxation." A servant hurried over and helped them take off their robes. Valentina was grateful for the steam that hid her embarrassment. Despite the increasingly revealing…
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Chapter 29 – The Garden Party, Part 1 The first servants were already preparing the palace gardens for the celebration. Valentina watched from her balcony as they set up wooden tables on the lawns and strung garlands between the trees. The rising sun made the complex Essence patterns that impacted the fountain sparkle with color. Master Lucian worked to intensify the patterns in the garden, his hands moving in precisely through theair. The roses in the flower beds seemed to bloom even more…
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Chapter 30 – The Garden Party, Part 2 Master Lucian led Valentina to a secluded alcove in the garden, half hidden behind a lushly flowering wisteria. The sweet scent of the purple flowers mingled with the spicy aroma of wild thyme growing between the paving stones. "I've received disturbing news from Bridgewater," he said quietly, after making sure that no one was within earshot. His usually relaxed posture was noticeably tense. "What news?" Valentina felt her stomach tighten. "The…
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Chapter 33 – A Birthday to Remember The duke was waiting for her at the entrance to the grand banquet hall, splendidly dressed in the Greystone colors. His eyes shone appreciatively as he took her arm. "My enchanting Valentina," he murmured. "You're outshining everyone else today." The duchess stood beside him, elegantly dressed in silver-grey brocade. Her smile was cool, but not unfriendly, as she greeted Valentina with a precisely measured bow. The banquet hall was a marvel of…
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Chapter 31 – Hedged Bets "Stay a little longer," the duke murmured to his inner circle. "I have arranged another special entertainment, just for us." Lady Vivienne, who was about to leave, sat down again with a delighted smile. Master Bloomfield, Baron Sebastian and the duke's other confidants also remained nearby as if by chance. When the last regular guest had left, the duke pointed to the large pavilion, where servants were already arranging divans in a semicircle. Silk curtains were…
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425.1 K • Ongoing
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