The days Elena spent with her family over the winter break felt like heaven. Hurbert had brought treats from Valtara, from the candies she longed for to small trinkets sent specifically for her from traveling merchants—souvenirs from their journeys abroad.  

Every moment was surreal, filled with laughter, shared meals, and warm memories that felt fleeting. They all knew these moments would soon end, a pit stop before they returned to the demands of their new reality. 

On the final day, a deep stillness settled over the landscape, as if the world itself paused in recognition. The family took a walk around the frozen lake, arm in arm, savoring their last moments together. In Valtara, walks by the black-sanded beach had been their cherished routine, a time when everything seemed fine. Though the worst had passed and their debts cleared, things were no longer the same. 

“Is your carriage packed and ready?” Catherine asked, trying to delay the inevitable.   

“There’s not much left to pack, is there?” Hurbert replied, looping his arm with hers as they approached Alice and Charles, who watched Elena ready her things.  

“Did you have a good break without us, Tomas?” Elena called, handing him her luggage.  

“Of course, Lady Elena,” Tomas responded with a polite smile.  

“It’s been a while, Tomas,” Hurbert said, extending his hand. “How’s Bethany?”  

“Very well, sir. It’s good to see you in good health,” Tomas replied, shaking his hand firmly.  

Hurbert’s eyes softened. “I can’t thank you and Bethany enough for looking after my family. Please, continue watching over them until we’re all together under one roof again.” His words came out steady, but even Tomas could see the trace of pain hidden within them.  

The situation—this separation—was a constant reminder of all he had lost. Hurbert still couldn’t fathom how a promising investment had unraveled so disastrously, but dwelling on the past was a luxury he couldn’t afford.  

“Always, sir,” Tomas assured him. To many, Viscount Sinclair was simply another fallen noble. But to Tomas, he was the man who had changed his life in ways he could never repay. 

Tomas’s life had been hard—marked by the bitterness of the streets after he’d been thrown out of the church orphanage. He’d grown up with little but a fierce will to survive, making his way by doing odd jobs at the seaport.  

When work was scarce, he’d had to resort to petty theft just to make it through the night, often seeking shelter in damp alleys or abandoned market stalls. It was a life with little promise and less hope, a boy viewed by society as another faceless street urchin.  

All that changed when Viscount Sinclair came to Valtara searching for workers to help on his farmland. Hurbert had chosen him without judgment, never looking down on him or questioning his worth. Tomas found himself valued for the first time, a steady income and a warm place to sleep during his time on the land.  

Years passed, and Tomas stayed with the Sinclair family, devoting himself to them with a loyalty born of gratitude. Through the viscount’s influence, Tomas had found stability and, eventually, love—a life he never imagined possible.  

When the news of the investment collapse came, Tomas had been there. It had been a sudden blow to him too, yet abandoning the Sinclairs was never a consideration. If anything, it solidified his resolve.  

Therefore, when Hurbert asked him to accompany Catherine and Elena to the capital, he didn’t hesitate. And Bethany, understanding the depth of Tomas’s loyalty, encouraged him, offering her own support.  

Now, as Hurbert thanked him, Tomas felt the same quiet resolve that had kept him by the Sinclairs’ side through good times and bad. He nodded, his voice sincere. “Of course, sir. Bethany and I are honored to look after them. We’ll stay as long as you need us.” 

It was a heartfelt goodbye all around. Alice held her daughter close, lingering in the hug a second too long—a silent reminder that she’d always be there if needed. 

"I’ll see you next time, ducky," Charles called with a warm smile as Elena went to him, sharing an embrace. 

After wishing them a safe journey, Alice and Charles stepped back to allow Catherine, Hurbert, and Elena a final, more private moment together. 

Elena hugged her father a little longer before releasing him. To her, he’d always been the person she admired most. Going to Ashwood Academy was her chance to make him proud, her ambition driven by the hope of returning one day to support him. 

“Please take care of yourself, Father—and don’t skip any meals,” she urged softly, her voice carrying a faint tremor. “You’ll visit soon, won’t you?” 

“Of course, darling. I’ll do my best,” Hurbert replied, kissing her on the forehead before helping her into the carriage. 

Hurbert took Catherine’s hands in his, drawing a deep, steadying breath. It felt like déjà vu—saying goodbye to his family, watching them head in the opposite direction once again. 

“I know I’ve said this too many times, but I’m sorry. Just hold on a little longer. Things are getting better—slowly, but they are.” Hurbert hesitated, almost unable to meet Catherine’s gaze, his disappointment weighing on him. 

“Hurbert,” Catherine murmured gently, “please, don’t apologize anymore. You’ve overcome crises before, I trust you.” 

Hurbert nodded, then leaned in to place a soft kiss on her lips. Her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, met his with a look that conveyed all the love they shared. He cradled her face, his thumbs tracing her cheeks, as if trying to capture every detail in his memory. 

As they lingered, their lips barely apart, Hurbert whispered, “I love you.” 

With a trembling smile, Catherine replied, “I love you too.” After a final moment together, Hurbert helped her into the carriage beside Elena. 

With a nod from Hurbert, Tomas urged the horses forward, beginning their journey back to the capital. Hurbert watched the carriage until it faded from view then climbed into his own, headed in the opposite direction. 

Inside their carriage Elena and Catherine looked back until the cottage disappeared from sight, leaving them in a contemplative silence filled only by the steady rhythm of the moving carriage. Their retreat had come to an end. Now, the uncertainties of life in the capital awaited them once more. 

Bethany stood at the end of the short driveway, lantern in hand, her smile a warm glow against the cold evening air. Tomas had given her an estimate of their arrival, and she’d been waiting, bundled against the chill, ready to welcome them back.  

After their long journey through the winter landscape, Elena and Catherine longed for warmth and the familiar comforts of home. They hurried inside, leaving Tomas to unpack the luggage as the first hints of warmth enveloped them. Before long, they each retired to their rooms, a somber mood lingering in the air. 

Now that the new year had begun, so did the new term for Elena at Ashwood Academy. Thankfully, the start to the term had been uneventful, though she found herself retreating to her sanctuary, the Reading Hall. There, she could escape the crisp winter air that lingered in the outer halls of the academy. 

With the winter season in full force, more students had started to seek warmth in closed spaces like the Reading Hall. Nevertheless, their presence didn’t disturb Elena’s sanctuary as each student was absorbed in their own little world, leaving her to find peace in the pages of her books. 

Elena welcomed the academy’s shorter class schedule, though she disliked the shorter days and longer nights that came with winter. She yearned for spring’s return—a season when nature would bloom, and her birthday would arrive. Her mind wandered to the Lakehouse, where she imagined spending warm days reading by the picturesque waters and lush landscape. 

When she returned to Ashwood, Elena tried to keep her mind off Sebastian. He’d left her in the dark about the melody notes before winter break, and she’d decided she wasn’t going to waste time dwelling on it. If he wanted to share how he found the notes, he would eventually tell her.  

But as she exited the Reading Hall one afternoon, her gaze swept across the quiet courtyard and caught sight of him walking down the opposite corridor. He looked as refined as ever, his presence commanding attention with each step—yet he seemed completely unaware of her watchful eyes. 

Lost in thought, she barely noticed the gentle tap on her shoulder until she turned to find Rebecca von Barth standing just a foot away. Startled, Elena instinctively took a step back.  

Rebecca had been watching her as her eyes followed Sebastian’s figure out of sight, and an amused glint flashed across her face. It wasn’t new for ladies at the academy to be captivated by Sebastian; he was, after all, one of the most eligible bachelors in the capital. But to Rebecca, who saw herself as the only suitable partner for him, something about Elena felt particularly irritating.  

Whether it was a sense of loyalty to the Duchess or disdain for Elena’s mother, Rebecca found the girl’s apparent interest in Sebastian downright contemptible. 

“You’re Elena, right?” Rebecca’s voice held a sharp edge. 

“I am.” Elena responded, her tone cautious as she picked up on the underlying bitterness in Rebecca’s words. 

“How brave,” Rebecca mumbled, just loud enough for Elena to hear. 

“Is there something I can help you with?” Elena asked prompting for a name and trying to stay composed though she sensed the cold scrutiny. She had vaguely recognized Rebecca from when Gretchen had pointed her out, but she hadn’t expected such an encounter. 

“Your family’s... history is quite intriguing,” Rebecca said, her voice laced with scorn, ignoring Elena’s polite request for her name. 

Elena’s heartbeat quickened. It was the first time someone had openly mentioned her family like this. Until now, she’d only ever encountered hushed whispers as she walked by. Elena took a deep breath to steady herself before responding. 

“This conversation doesn’t seem productive for either of us, so I’ll take my leave,” Without waiting for a reply, Elena turned to walk away, dismissing Rebecca’s attempt to unnerve her. 

“I’m not done,” Rebecca’s voice rang out, sharp and angry. But Elena didn’t pause, determined to keep moving. She noticed the growing number of students passing by, glancing in their direction, curiosity lingering in their stares. 

The last thing she needed was to be the subject of another rumor, especially with the first finally fading into memory. 

When Elena arrived at the bookstore, the thought of Rebecca’s words hadn’t faded, though she couldn’t fully grasp why they bothered her so much. It wasn’t that the remark itself hurt—she’d braved worse whispers. It was the realization that she was being watched, sized up by those who cared little for anything beyond lineage and rank. Despite her efforts to remain unnoticed, her very presence seemed to ripple through the academy’s halls  

“Is something wrong, Elena? Is the weather still getting the best of you?” Professor Frowde asked, studying her with an intent, fatherly concern. 

Elena forced a small smile. “I…well, no. The weather’s been colder, but I suppose I’m just warming up to the new term,” she replied, trying to deflect. 

Professor Frowde raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “You know, books often offer more than an escape. They can be a mirror, revealing truths about ourselves we’d rather ignore.” 

Elena turned to the shelves, his words hanging in the air. “Sometimes,” she admitted, her voice softening, “I feel like I’m being tested, but I don’t even know the lesson.” 

Professor Frowde’s gaze softened. “In places like these, what matters is not only what we learn but what we protect. Who we become by holding our ground, even when others try to unsettle us.” 

She met his gaze, something resolute forming within her as she brushed her encounter with Rebecca to the back of her mind. With renewed resolve, she turned back to her work, a calm settling over her—a lingering effect of the professor's words. 

However, the soft ding of the door drew both Elena and Professor Frowde's attention. Sebastian had entered, and with his arrival, Elena’s sense of calm disappeared.