71 Results in the "A Weave of Ambition" category
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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 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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The second day of the new semester began with a flood of students streaming into the main hall for course registration. Valentina made her way through the crowd, a list of the courses she wanted to attend this year firmly in hand. She had chosen to focus on medical applications of Essence Weaving, inspired by her time at Greystone Hospital. "All those looks," Vyxara murmured, amused. "You'd think you were an exotic creature from the Scorched Lands or the Far West and not just a student in a new…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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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 legs from 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 nightrobe from the floor. The duke stirred briefly, but continued to sleep. She gave him one last look before slipping out…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 23 – Dropping the Eaves
Valentina was on her way back to her chambers when she heard voices coming from one of the salons. She immediately recognized Lorenzo's soft baritone and Hazel's cutting voice. She was about to go on, but something in Hazel's tone made her pause. "Curious, little Weaver?" teased Vyxara. "Go on, you know how to eavesdrop." Valentina hesitated for a moment, then activated her Essence Listening ability. The voices became crystal clear, as if she were standing right next to them. "...just don't understand…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 24 – A Special Evening
Lady Celestine led Valentina through a hidden corridor to an elegant salon in the older part of the palace. "The Duke's more intimate circle," she explained quietly as she led Valentina to a velvet-covered divan. "Here we can let the masks of court slip a little." The room was ornately furnished, with heavy tapestries and comfortable seating. A small group of musicians played subtle melodies, whose shameless lyrics Valentina listened to with a blush. Master Gregory Bloomfield greeted her with an elegant…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 25 – Open Hearts
"If you patch up the arteries like that, they'll rupture again later and the patient will bleed to death on the way home," growled Master Wilford. "Concentrate on the Greystone Cascade, feel the flow." Valentina corrected her Essence pattern and immediately felt the healing deepen. The fisherman on the treatment table, who had rammed a fishhook deep into his hand, visibly relaxed. "The old curmudgeon is getting tame," Vyxara commented with amusement. "A few days ago, he would have shouted at you." After…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
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 touch. The duke's private theater hall was…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
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 in a regular rhythm. In the mornings they…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
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 evenings in the duke's inner circle, this…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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