The Last Promise

If there was one thing Lyra hated more than being called useless, it was being lied to.

Unfortunately, Everhart Manor specialized in both.

The next morning began suspiciously.

Which was unusual.

Normally her mornings began with chores.

Or insults.

Sometimes both.

Today began with breakfast.

Actual breakfast.

At the dining table.

With food that wasn't leftovers.

Lyra narrowed her eyes at the plate in front of her.

Then at Seraphine.

Then back at the plate.

"This feels like a trap."

Across the table, Isabella rolled her eyes.

"It's food."

"Exactly."

"What does that mean?"

"It means nobody has ever voluntarily given me pastries before."

The servants immediately looked busy.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Lady Seraphine smiled.

Danger.

Immediate danger.

"My dear Lyra."

The girl nearly choked.

My dear Lyra?

Who was this woman?

What had she done with Lady Seraphine?

"We have a surprise planned for you."

There it was.

The trap.

Lyra knew it.

"A good surprise?"

"Of course."

That was not an answer.

Not even slightly.

Later That Day

The surprise remained suspicious.

By lunch, servants had packed supplies into a carriage.

By afternoon, horses had been prepared.

By evening, Seraphine announced:

"We leave tomorrow."

Leave?

Lyra nearly dropped her spoon.

Leave where?

Everhart Manor was many things.

Terrible.

Annoying.

Occasionally haunted by Isabella's personality.

But people didn't usually leave it.

Especially not Lyra.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

Still not an answer.

The Library

That evening Lyra found her father in the library.

Again.

Because apparently important men reproduced through paperwork.

Stacks of documents covered his desk.

Maps lay scattered everywhere.

Letters sat in neat piles.

Her father looked exhausted.

Which wasn't unusual anymore.

"Father?"

Cedric immediately looked up.

His tired expression softened.

"Lyra."

She climbed into the chair opposite him.

Something felt strange.

Not dangerous.

Just strange.

Like standing outside before a storm.

The world looked normal.

But something was changing.

"Are you leaving again?"

Cedric sighed.

"A short trip."

Of course.

There was always a trip.

Always another meeting.

Another council session.

Another problem needing Lord Cedric Everhart.

Sometimes Lyra wondered if the kingdom would collapse if her father took a nap.

It seemed possible.

"You work too much."

Cedric laughed softly.

"So I've been told."

"By me."

"Frequently."

"Someone has to."

The laugh that followed was real.

And warm.

And painfully rare.

For a moment neither spoke.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable.

It never was with her father.

Lyra traced a finger along the silver wolf pendant hanging around her neck.

The gift he had given her yesterday.

She liked touching it when she was thinking.

Or worried.

Or lonely.

Which unfortunately covered most situations.

"Father?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I'm useless?"

The question escaped before she could stop it.

Silence filled the room.

Cedric stared at her.

Not shocked.

Not angry.

Heartbroken.

"Lyra."

His voice sounded different.

Soft.

Careful.

As if the wrong words might shatter something.

"Why would you ask that?"

Because everyone else thought so.

Because she heard the whispers.

Because she saw the looks.

Because she had no magic.

Because sometimes even brave people became tired.

Instead she shrugged.

"Just wondering."

Cedric stood.

Walked around the desk.

Then knelt beside her chair.

"Listen to me."

His voice was firm now.

"I don't care whether you have magic."

Lyra blinked.

"Really?"

"Really."

"What if I never awaken anything?"

"Then you never awaken anything."

"What if everyone laughs at me?"

"Then everyone is wrong."

"What if—"

Cedric gently tapped her forehead.

"You're thinking too much."

Lyra frowned.

"I do that."

"Constantly."

They smiled.

And for a moment...

Everything felt okay.

Safe.

Normal.

The way she wished life always felt.

Then a servant knocked on the door.

"My lord, the council awaits."

Of course they did.

Lyra wanted to ban councils.

Possibly forever.

Cedric stood reluctantly.

Before leaving, he paused.

Then ruffled her hair.

"Goodnight, Lyra."

She wrinkled her nose.

"You ruined my braid."

"Occupational hazard."

"That's not an occupation."

Cedric laughed again.

Then walked away.

At the doorway he stopped.

For a brief moment, he looked back.

As though he wanted to say something else.

Something important.

Instead he smiled.

"I'll see you when I return."

A promise.

Simple.

Ordinary.

The kind nobody thinks about.

Until it becomes the last one.

The Next Morning

The carriage waited outside.

The sky hung gray overhead.

Rain threatened in the distance.

Several servants loaded supplies.

Nobody seemed happy.

Actually...

Nobody would meet Lyra's eyes.

That was strange.

Very strange.

She climbed into the carriage beside Seraphine.

Something cold settled in her stomach.

The journey began.

And somewhere deep within the Beast Forest...

A silver-eyed wolf rose to its feet.

Far away, in a cabin hidden beneath ancient trees, a man who had lived for centuries paused while reading.

For reasons he couldn't explain...

He suddenly felt like his peaceful life was about to become significantly more complicated.

End of Chapter 2🌙

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