TO STAY INDEFINITELY

WHEN Astrid glanced up, he saw the duke—no, his grandfather—standing there, utterly still, as if time itself had paused. Their eyes met for the briefest of moments before the other turned away, but not before Astrid caught the unmistakable shimmer of tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.

Now it was Astrid's turn to freeze. He wasn't oblivious—he knew exactly what those tears meant. His grandfather was likely overwhelmed because it was the first time Astrid had addressed him by that title. Still, he hadn't expected to see the old man cry. It seemed so unlike him, so out of character. The moment left Astrid feeling awkward, uncertain of what to say next.

But his awkwardness didn't last long, as his grandfather was the first to break the silence.

"Well then," his grandfather said, his voice steadying, "I suppose I'll go take a look around the farm."