Deep within Cross Manor, in the lavish bedroom once reserved for the disowned Lyra Cross—although that title no longer held any weight—change lingered in the air.
Now that she had lost the duel, "disowned" was no longer an accurate word to describe her.
Soon, she would be granted a larger, more opulent room befitting a direct heir of House Cross. A chamber lined with velvet curtains, gold-gilded mirrors, and flocks of servants, all poised to cater to her whims.
Lyra now belonged to the Cross family. Which also meant she was now shackled by every obligation and expectation that came with the title.
Across the room, Xhi sat in a modest chair by the window, a book open in her hands, though her eyes had long drifted from the text.
She hadn't spared much thought for Lyra's fate. Now she was worried about her position. Perhaps she should head to the Von Heim manor instead?
Just as the thought passed through her mind, she stiffened.
Something was... off.
