206 Alone in Stoneyard

During the night, I have a dream about my Duke.

He's just fifteen, a few months after his parents died. He's alone, in Stoneyard, and can't step out nor receive visits.

Nothing particular happens, but he's hurting. His heart aches, and he's alone.

The Countess isn't anywhere to be seen. The Princess is far, in the capital. There isn't even Pericle, his loyal aide.

I can bear to relive all of this only because I know that, this time, it's different. My Duke managed to transform his life for the better. I can't resent him for choosing to change everything if this is how he felt the first time.

He observes the papers with Kyre's accounts without understanding a thing. His eyes scan the numbers and lose the various signs of treason, embezzlement or frauds. He doesn't know how wicked bureaucrats can be.

He's just a teenager, alone in an enormous castle.

Even Stoneyard is different: it's gloomy and almost inhabited.