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“Mother?” came a voice from the front door of the house.
“I’m in here, Astor,” Grace called to her daughter.
The graceful young elleth, blonde and blue-eyed like her father, glided into the kitchen and kissed her mother’s cheek.
“Hello, Sweetheart. How are you?”
“I’m all right. I came to see Father. He promised he’d go to the market with me to help me choose a birthday gift for Caelin.”
Grace grinned at the mention of her daughter’s newest love interest. She had to admit, Caelin was a far better choice than several of the others who had caught Astor’s eye. And Caelin was a soldier, immediately putting him in Yneari’s good graces–and her own as well, if she were being honest. “Your father does like Caelin.”
“I know. I’m glad. It’s a much better reaction than I got to Faveil.”
Grace stifled a shudder, thankful Faveil had been cast aside, but kept her thoughts to herself.
“What are you reading, Mama?” Astor asked, gesturing to the parchment Grace held.
“A letter from a little girl I met last time I was in Erlauf. Her name is Sula.”
“Is she the newest steward of Juergen?”
“No,” Grace said, shaking her head. “I might have considered her, but she had other plans. She just reminded me of myself as a young girl.”
“A poor orphan whose luck changed when she met a certain elf?”
Grace chuckled. “Hardly. Sula has family, though poor is apropos. But she’s got fire and a will to work and big dreams that just needed a small nudge in the right direction.”
“What did she think of Father?”
“When she first saw him was the only time I think I ever saw the girl speechless. I sometimes forget that my sweet elves are uncommon sights to most humans.” Grace looked up when Yneari closed the back door behind him. “Speaking of my fairy tale hero…”
“Hello, Father!”
Yneari smiled at both women and kissed his wife.
Grace waved the parchment at him. “A letter from Sula. She’s been hired at the palace.”
“Have you been pulling strings again, Elloth ?”
“I merely mentioned that she might be a good fit for the position,” Grace said, shrugging.
“You’re a softie, Lady Grace,” Yneari said, grinning.
“She’ll do a great job!”
“I’m sure she will. And I’m sure the royal family will be glad to have her. She’s a ball of energy and determination from what I’ve seen. She’s learned to read and write awfully fast if she’s already sending you letters.”
“She’s one of the fastest learners the manor had during our last visit.”
Yneari pecked Grace’s lips again before turning to his daughter. “Are you here for our shopping trip, Sellig ?”
“Yes, Sir. Are you ready?”
Yneari nodded then turned back to Grace. “Want to join us?”
“No. You two have fun. I’ve got a letter to answer.”