Chapter 303


    vin could not help but let out a halfhearted chuckle and sigh. "Whom am I to wed, by the stars


    above?"


    "That''s for you to decide," came the reply. "Consider well. Lady E and Lady Mari—fine


    choices, both of them. And let''s not forget Celesse. In lineage, beauty, grace, and magical talent,


    they''re each one in a thousand."


    "You make it sound as if I''m a prize stallion to be auctioned off."


    "This is about love and courtship, not forcing a bond upon you."


    "Even if I were inclined to propose, they''d have to agree to marry me. Celesse, Mari, E—who


    would ept?"


    "Any might, should you but strive for it. You are a man, are you not? It should not fall to them to


    come seeking your hand."


    "Can we not speak of this matter?" vin pleaded, feeling the conversation veer off course.


    Helna spoke with heartfelt earnestness, "You are the lord of the house now and lord of Stormcast.


    Things are different. The household needs ady, as does the town. Settle it soon, and ease all our


    minds."


    "Let''s speak of this another time. There''s no rush," vin all but surrendered, hands raised.


    "Do none catch your fancy, or do you doubt yourself? I can arrange opportunities."


    "Please, spare yourself the worry over my affairs. I have it well in hand."


    "You may know your way around other matters, but in this, perhaps not. They are all fine young


    women. You''d best not let them slip away to another, or you''ll find nowhere to weep."


    "I am still but a youth, am I not?" vin muttered.


    "Young at sixteen? Your father had pledged himself to your mother at your age." Helna pressed. Her


    hope for vin to settle down was driven by the exceptional qualities of thedies in question. It


    would be a stroke of fortune for such souls to unite, an opportunity not to be missed. Moreover, she


    wished to cement the Mallister family’s standing through a strategic marriage, to ease vin’s


    burdens, and to dispel any shadows that his eight years of servitude might have cast upon him with


    thefort of a loving spouse.


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    Helna had weathered many storms alongside the Mallister family, and now, seeing a glimmer of


    hope, she feared seeing it crumble once more. Another fall could doom the Mallisters forever, and


    vin might suffer worst of all.


    Her heart ached for vin and hurried for the sake of the Mallister family.


    "Helna, I shall first attend to matters within and without these walls. Then I''ll see to my personal


    affairs. Rest easy now. You''ve endured much hardship. It''s time you enjoyed some peace."


    "Do take to heart what I''ve said. I jest not."


    "I understand! Whicheverdy you favor, I shall win her hand. And if you fancy them all, then all I


    shall pursue. If that''s not enough, we''ll seek more."


    Helna couldn''t help butugh at his jest. "Look at you, so full of bravado. Promise me one thing,


    though. If ever—a mere if—the Mallister family faces danger, you must first and foremost ensure


    your own safety."


    "Fear not, we shall all be well."


    "I need your oath," Helna implored with grave sincerity.


    "Very well, I swear!" vin smiled, though his heart pledged a deeper vow – so long as I live, none


    shall harm you.


    Helna fussed and fretted well into the night before finally taking her leave.


    After escorting Helna away, vin tidied up andy down to sleep, but sleep eluded him, tossing


    and turning as he did. Helna''s words, meant to be reassuring, instead lingered in his mind, stirring


    unease. What if danger came? What would be of the Mallister family? What if... what if...


    In the deep stillness of the night, vin left his keep to climb the gatehouse tower, gazing upon the


    slumbering ancient town from its summit.


    "My lord? Why are you not at rest?" Lucan, on his nightly rounds, had been alerted by his brothers


    to his lord''s presence.


    vin stood atop the tower, facing the cool night breeze, "Sleep does note."


    "Troubled thoughts?" Lucan joined him at the lookout.


    "It''s been some time since I''ve truly beheld our old town."


    Lucan chuckled lightly. "It may be in ruins now, but I trust it won''t be long before we restore its


    former glory. The night will one day be alive with lights and the bustle of prosperity."