71 Results in the "A Weave of Ambition" category
-
Chapter
Chapter 10 – The Duke’s Welcome
Chapter 10 – The Duke's Welcome Valentina blinked in confusion as she woke up. For a moment, she couldn't place where she was – the four-poster bed was too soft, the room too big, the air too sweet with the scent of roses. "The duke’s palace," Vyxara purred in her head. "You'll get used to it." Before Valentina could answer, there was a soft knock at the door. Jenny, her new maid, entered, already laden with a tray. "Good morning, my lady!" The young maid hobbled busily to the bed. "I…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter 4 –The Story of Saint Valentina 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…
-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 69 – Summer is Coming
The mood was excited among the second-year students as they gathered for the grading ceremony. The main hall of Bridgewater University filled up quickly. Valentina stood between Innogen and Crispin, their hands clasped tightly together. "I think I wasn't this nervous even before the Greystone competition," thought Valentina. "Oh, you have a very short memory," Vyxara mocked in her head. "You were a bundle of nerves." The Decan Valemont stepped up to the podium, followed by a number of…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
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…
-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 5 – Old Friends
Chapter 5 – Old Friends Netta made her way through the crowd, one hand placed protectively on her pregnant belly. In the morning light streaming through the narrow windows of the Flametower, Valentina could see the freckles on her former best friend's nose –just like when they used to run across the fields together and confide their most secret dreams to each other. "What a contrast," said Vyxara. "The poor peasant girl who stayed at home while you went out into the big wide world." "Val,"…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
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…
-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 6 – Blossom
Chapter 6 –Blossom On one of the last afternoonsshe 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 in particular –did notice that. The two sisters set off past the familiar fields of their childhood. The narrow path meandered…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter 11 – A Viper at the Dining Table 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…
-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 40 – Burying the Past
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 ladylives 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…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 7 – Goodbye
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…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
- Previous 1 … 5 6 7 8 Next
