71 Results in the "A Weave of Ambition" category
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Chapter
Chapter 6 – Blossom
On one of the last afternoons she probably had left with her family, Valentina suggested a walk to her sister. "Let's go to the old pear tree," she said, "like we used to." Adeline was beaming. She had been waiting patiently all week to have her big sister to herself. She had patiently kept all her burning questions to herself. Valentina and Vyxara had noticed that. The two sisters set off past the familiar fields of their childhood. The narrow path meandered through tall grass that waved in the summer…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chamberlain Morris was already waiting for Valentina just outside the duke's study. "If you will follow me, my lady." His measured steps led her first to a wide marble staircase. "The palace was built over several generations of Greystones. Each duke added his own wing, resulting in a fascinating mix of architectural styles. The remaining remnants of the original building are still in the Norothalan style, while the later buildings are in the early and modern Malandrine style." "And everyone wanted to…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 40 – Burying the Past
Valentina lit the simple oil lamp with a casually woven small Viur pattern. Warm, flickering light illuminated the room. "What a... humble abode it is after all," Vyxara commented with ironically feigned politeness. "Your little maid Jenny would have a heart attack if she could see where her fine lady lives now." Valentina couldn't help but let out a short laugh. Jenny, who had always been careful to keep Valentina's room in the palace in immaculate condition, would have been horrified by what she found…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 7 – Goodbye
Valentina lay awake in bed, unable to delay the moment she both longed for and dreaded. Dawn was already creeping in. In a few hours, the Duke's carriage would pick her up. "You're nervous, little Weaver," Vyxara stated softly. "A little," Valentina admitted in her thoughts. "What if I'm not ready? What if I make a complete fool of myself at the Duke's court?" "You summoned a demon, seduced a professor, robbed Bridgewater University's Distilled Essence storage, won the Greystone Competition and put…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
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 to her opening pattern. The mechanics…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 50 – Old Acquaintance
Valentina turned the precious vials in her hands. The Essence shimmered in them like liquid moonlight, two vials that might get her through the next two weeks if she used them sparingly. But then what? "A worryingly low supply," Vyxara remarked. "Especially given the fact that your usual sources have dried up." "I know," Valentina thought grimly. Barnaby was in the Illumination's dungeons, and even if he was still free, after their last encounter, she wouldn't have visited his store anyway. Professor Horne…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
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 stretched between the columns. "Madame…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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When Valentina came into the Red Room, she immediately saw that Faustus was in terrible shape. He was crouched on the edge of the bed, tapping his foot, his expensive doublet rumpled, his hair in disarray, as if he had been running his fingers through it nervously over and over again. "Lily," he gasped and jumped up. His movements were erratic, uncoordinated. Was he drunk? "At last. I've been waiting for ages." "He looks like a hunted animal," Vyxara remarked. "What happened?" Valentina asked gently as…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 12 – Presents
An icy silence fell over the table. The duke gave his daughter a scathing look, while the duchess drew in a sharp breath. "Hazel!" The duchess's voice was cutting. "This is absolutely unacceptable." Valentina could feel her cheeks burning, but she forced herself to remain calm and not lower her gaze. "Oh, the little beast has claws," Vyxara commented with amusement. "But she's too direct, too clumsy. She still has a lot to learn. Her mother would know how to hurt gracefully. Just don't say…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 41 – Spilling the Beans
The first day at the university was a pleasantly busy one. After breakfast together in the dining room, where Valentina constantly attracted curious glances, they spent the morning in the library. Together with Crispin, Valentina and Innogen studied the courses on offer for the new academic year, compared their interests and thought back and forth about their timetables. "Professor Whitehall offers several advanced courses in medical Essence application," Valentina remarked enthusiastically. "That would…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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