71 Results in the "A Weave of Ambition" category
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Chapter
Chapter 45 – The First Blow
By midday, one of the auditoriums on the first floor, normally a place of lively debate about Essence Theory, had been transformed into what everyone assumed to be basically a torture chamber. The Emberwardens had pushed the benches and tables against the walls and turned the room into a makeshift interrogation room. Heavy curtains had been drawn in front of the high windows, allowing only a few strips of light to penetrate. The smell of incense and a bitter herb that was supposed to ward off demonic…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 46 – Loose Ends
News of the room searches quickly spread through the university like wildfire. Valentina heard the first rumors at lunch, when students were whispering about Emberwardens ransacking rooms, slashing mattresses, confiscating books and destroying personal belongings. "They took all of Oleanne's correspondence with her betrothed," a third-year student hissed, over her soup plate. "Private letters! Imagine what a scandal it could be if they read them." Valentina exchanged a worried glance with Innogen. "Are…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 47 – A Pious Virgin
On the seventh day after Eastwald's arrival, Valentina found a parchment note on the outside of her door. With cool precision, the formal handwriting informed her that she was to report to the questioning room at noon. No explanation or polite phrases, just a direct instruction, sealed with the stylized flame symbol of the Illumination. "Ah, the time has finally come," Vyxara whispered. "It was bound to happen sooner or later." Valentina stared at the parchment, her heartbeat quickening. Despite all her…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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The time after her birthday was characterized by great busyness. Her days consisted of court duties, research work and a lot of time with the duke. He was particularly attentive and affectionate, as if to compensate for the harshness of that night. His touches were gentler, their conversations more profound, his gifts thoughtful. He made her small gifts, like rare books, or exquisite hair clips that he had brought to her bed in the morning. "He's really trying," Vyxara remarked with amusement one evening…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 35 – Deals and Illusions
In the evening, the inner circle had gathered as usual. Valentina leaned relaxed in the duke's arms while he gently played with a strand of her hair. They had found their way back to a new, cautious familiarity over the last few weeks. The rest of the inner circle also lounged about on the divans. Baron Sebastian shared a couch with Lady Vivienne, while Lady Celestine snuggled close to Master Bloomfield. Master Amadou and Countess Rosamere were engrossed in a whispered conversation. The doors opened and…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 36 – A Different Touch
Lady Celestine's townhouse was situated in one of Dusktown's most elegant streets, surrounded by manicured gardens. Music drifted softly from the open windows. Valentina hesitated outside the gate, her heart beating faster at the thought of what she was about to do. "Nervous, little Weaver?" Vyxara's voice sounded amused. "Yet you weren't usually so shy with a little tenderness in your illustrious inner circle. Not even at the beginning with Master Bloomfield." "This feels a bit different," thought…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Her days in Dusktown were coming to an end. Late summer was already turning the leaves in the palace gardens the first golden hues, and the morning mists drifting up from the sea were getting thicker. Valentina felt the approaching change like a slight tingling under her skin. On the morning of the day before her departure, Jenny brought her a message from the duchess, handwritten on the finest paper with a subtle scent of lavender. The duchess wished to speak to her in her private chambers. "Quite…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 38 – A Perfect Memory
After her last time with the duke for the time being, Valentina couldn't sleep, she still felt far too agitated. She slipped into a silk night robe and slipped out into the palace garden. The moon was high in the sky, its silvery light making the artfully trimmed hedges look like frozen ripples in Essence. "A wonderful night for one last walk," Vyxara murmured in her head. "Though I have to admit, his way of saying goodbye was... interesting." "He really made an effort," whispered Valentina as she…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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The wheels of the carriage rattled over the cobblestones as Valentina pulled herself up from her exhausted lethargy. After days of traveling, she finally saw Bridgewater's city gate in front of her. A tingle of excitement and nervousness ran through her body. "Ah, we're back," Vyxara whispered in her head, the demon's voice sounding amused. "Where it all began. Where we met. Where we 'tied the knot' so to speak. Isn't it nice to be back?" "Yes, it is." Valentina murmured as her eyes involuntarily…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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The faint morning light gave a hint of the worn Sunday clothes that Valentina's mother had carefully laid out for her daughters. The kitchen was already bustling with activity. Her father had already taken care of the animals and Colm had been woken up first, as he took a particularly long time in the morning and didn't see the point in being quiet when he was thrown out of bed at the crack of dawn. "Get up, girls!" their mother called out to them. "The Ember won't wait!" "Ah, the weekly circus begins,"…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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