On the third morning after Prince Alaric entered the capital, he received a summons from the king. It wasn’t just Prince Alaric who had been called to the palace—every general who had fought in the recent war, alongside soldiers whose valor went unrecognized during the first wave of comndations, were summoned as well.
Kane ndel’s na was listed among them. The summons was addressed to General Odin. He felt conflicted because Kane ndel was his daughter.
The Norse family had a eting in the sitting room after they had their dinner that night to discuss the summons.
"Father," Asael began, his voice steady but edged with concern. "I think it would be better for us to reveal Kane ndel’s identity ourselves. If the king finds out before we confess, it may look like we’ve deceived him." His words hung heavy in the room, stirring whispers of agreent.
General Odin nodded. His gaze landed on Lara, who was sitting beside Freya. "What do you think, Daughter?" he asked gently, the sternness of a general replaced by a father’s tenderness.
Lara straightened in her seat, her eyes eting her father’s. "It is fine with , Father," she replied earnestly. "Everything will co to light eventually. Better it be on our terms."
"It is settled then. Bener, Gideon, and Percival will enter the palace with tomorrow, together with Lara."
"Father, didn’t I receive a summons? I was still recuperating at that ti, so I couldn’t co." Asael interjected, leaning forward.
Odin’s brow furrowed as he recalled Asael’s condition during the first comndation. "You’re right. You should co as well."
"Father, how about . I can tag along, right?" Galahad interjected when he realized that he would be left behind.
"And ?" Peredur chid in, his eyes pleading. "I’d be the only man of the Norse family left at the estate. Surely you wouldn’t abandon to such a fate? I’ll just observe from outside the Justice Hall if I must!"
Odin groaned, though his eyes sparkled with amusent. "Brats, what had gotten into you? How co you are so eager to enter the palace? Before, I had to drag all of you to go there, but now you are volunteering yourselves?"
"Father, our sister will go there. Of course, we would be her support."
Odin and Freya’s heads ached with the rumblings from their children that Odin agreed.
As the conversation lulled and shifted to lighter matters, Mira, who sat quietly by Freya’s side, reached for a slice of fruit and offered it to her mother with a gentle smile. Freya accepted it gladly, patting her daughter’s hand. Beside Freya, Lara’s eyes lingered on the fruit tray, hesitation flitting across her gaze. She was contemplating whether she would also give her mother a fruit.
Her family in her past life was so indifferent to her that she developed a cold and aloof personality. She was not used to cozying up to gain favor. But now, surrounded by the warmth of family, sothing inside her yearned to reach out. If she was to fight for them, to truly belong, perhaps she needed to change.
Noticing Lara’s gaze, Freya smiled warmly and nudged the tray closer. "Go on, have so. Why are you hesitating like that?" she teased gently.
Lara’s heart swelled with a strange, unfamiliar warmth. She reached out, taking a slice, then did sothing unexpected. She turned and offered the tray to Odin. "Father, have so fruit too. This one is good for the heart," she said, pointing to a slice of avocado.
Lara stood and passed the tray to her brothers, who happily picked the ones they liked. Finally, Lara stood in front of Mira.
"Thank you, Sister. I had already eaten two slices earlier. Lara just humd. She bypassed her and offered the tray to Freya. "Eat so more, Mother. Fruits are good for the skin."
Freya chuckled and happily got one more.
Mira was smiling, but deep inside, she was seething. She was angry. Lara was showing off.
But her curiosity was piqued when the conversation drifted back to Kane ndel. She heard about a young soldier who was also a doctor from Asael and Galahad but never thought it was Lara. A pang of jealousy hit her heart. Though she found the idea of a woman disguising as a man to fight revolting, she was envious of the praises that Lara received from her family.
She felt more threatened, and her heart beca restless.
...
Early the following morning, three carriages bearing the crest of the Norse family entered the gates of the Royal Palace. They went to the Justice Hall, a two-story building with a large courtyard.
The Hall lood tall and imposing, its stone arches etched with ancient runes, its courtyard sprawling and alive with whispers. The grand oak double doors stood wide open, flanked by royal guards. Lara stepped out of the carriage, dressed in her military fatigues, her hair tied in a topknot—a mark of Kane ndel. At her side, her brothers flanked her like sentinels, their eyes sharp and vigilant.
As they entered, eyes turned to them, whispers trailing in their wake. Asael leaned close, his voice low. "Those are the court ministers," he murmured. Lara followed his gaze to the n in dark robes seated in orderly rows before the throne’s platform. Their gazes were hawk-like, their whispers sharp and speculative.
Her brothers guided her to the side and found their seats. They have just taken their seats when a herald outside the courtyard announced the arrival of the princes.
Lara’s gaze snapped forward as Prince Alaric entered, regal in his royal robes, a small crown nestled upon his head. Alaric’s presence seed to draw the light toward him, and Lara’s heart lurched. He was always handso, but in princely attire, he seed almost ethereal.
Prince Reuben and Prince Alderan followed him. The other princes were still too small to attend court sessions.
Alaric felt a burning gaze from his left side, and when he looked back, he found himself locking gaze with Kane ndel.
What is she doing, looking like that? He did not have the chance to continue to ponder when the herald announced the king’s arrival.
"His Majesty, King Heimdal, has arrived!"
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