Tension still clung to the imperial palace like a thick, invisible fog. It had been more than a week since everything turned upside down, but thank the gods—Grand Duke Regis finally, finally woke up.
Osric cried again when he felt his father's warmth again, hugging him tightly. It was a warm and relieving moment.
But after that he changed… Osric wasn't the same.
Not in a bad way, just... different. Quieter. Focused. He suddenly became broody, like those sword-fighting book heroes who stare into the distance and whisper, "My blade is my destiny."
Now he trains all day like the sword is his best friend.
(Well, that's kinda sad.)
Whereas Papa, Grandpa Gregor, Theon, and a new knight I'd never seen before—Sir Ravick—were always holed up in the meeting room. They were busy, talking about war and strategy and things far too big for someone my size to understand.
