The Next Morning
The early light spilled gently into Acacia's room, brushing across the curtains and catching in her hair as she stirred beneath the blankets. She blinked against the brightness, waking slowly with a quiet steadiness.
For the first time in weeks she had dreamless sleep.
Just stillness.
She sat up, the sheet slipping from her shoulder and looked toward the window. The gardens beyond were soaked in morning dew, birds weaving soft melodies through the trees. A new day, unspoken and unruined.
A knock tapped softly against her door.
She rose and opened it to find one of the younger maids holding a folded note on a silver tray.
"From Lord Astor," she said with a polite smile. "Breakfast in the east courtyard"
Acacia smiled faintly, accepting the note. "Thank you."
She closed the door and glanced down at Astor's handwriting, scrawled but unmistakably him.
"Dominic says you like honey cakes. You'll find them here. Come, unless you're afraid to watch him fumble through an apology round two, if you feel up to it."
She laughed softly and pressed the note to her chest.
She would go.
The east courtyard was bathed in sunlight, the stone floor still cool beneath the delicate spread of morning. Vines draped the pillars, trailing soft blossoms that swayed gently in the breeze. A round table had been set with quiet care: polished silver, fresh fruit, honey cakes and a steaming pot of tea.
Dominic stood awkwardly beside the table, turning a spoon over in his hand as if it held all the answers he couldn't find. He looked up as Acacia stepped through the archway.
She wore no jewels. No silk or fine linen. Just a soft cream tunic, and the quiet grace she always carried when no one was watching.
He straightened, caught between apology and relief. "You came."
"I got your brother's note," she said, stopping a few steps away. "The threat of watching you fumble through another apology was too good to pass up."
Dominic huffed a breath of laughter, tension easing from his shoulders. "Astor's subtlety could use work."
Acacia stepped closer, eyes scanning the table. "You really brought honey cakes."
"I figured they were safer than flowers."
She arched a brow, amused. "And yet, somehow, you still managed to look like you're approaching a battlefield."
He scratched the back of his neck. "That obvious?"
Acacia pulled out a chair and sat down. "Only to me."
He joined her. For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Dominic reached across the table and poured her tea before his own. "I meant what I said yesterday… about wanting to make things right. I know it'll take time."
She looked at him, soft but unflinching. "Time is fine. As long as you don't keep hiding behind it."
He nodded, accepting the gentle challenge.
They began to eat, just two people slowly stitching something back together, one quiet moment at a time.
Midway through the meal, the gate creaked again.
Astor strolled in with his usual lack of ceremony, an apple in one hand, a smirk in the other. "Oh good, you're both civil. I was worried I'd need to referee again."
Dominic gave him a dry look. "We've progressed to sarcasm. That counts as bonding."
Acacia shook her head, smiling into her tea.
Laughter returned...
Astor flopped down onto the nearby chair and bit into his apple. "So now that we know you're Chrysanthia… what should we call you? Acacia or Chrysanthia?"
Dominic turned toward her, his expression unreadable, eyes steady.
Acacia met both their gazes, thoughtful. "I've grown to like the name Acacia. It's who I became when I didn't remember. It's part of me now."
Her lips curved faintly. "So I'm fine with either. You can call me Chrysanthia if you want, but… Acacia feels like home."
Astor raised his brows but nodded in approval. "Acacia it is, then."
After breakfast, Acacia, Astor, and Dominic stepped back into the manor, the quiet warmth of their meal lingering between them. They were just crossing the front hall when they spotted the butler heading briskly toward the Duke's study, a sealed letter in his white-gloved hands.
It bore the royal crest.
The three exchanged a glance, instincts sharpening. Without needing to speak, they followed the butler down the corridor and paused just outside the Duke's office as the letter was delivered.
They knocked gently on the door and, at the Duke's call, stepped inside.
The Duke was seated at the table, the letter already in his hands, eyes scanning the seal with a furrowed brow. The butler, Emrick, stood nearby, poised and silent, as if waiting for further instruction.
The Duke looked up as they entered, surprise flickering briefly across his face.
"What are you all doing here?"
Acacia stepped forward, her tone calm but concerned. "We saw the letter with the royal seal. I was a little concerned."
The Duke looked from Acacia to his sons, the letter still unopened in his hand. His expression remained composed, but his fingers pressed the parchment a little tighter.
"There's no need for concern," he said evenly.
Acacia hesitated. "Would you be alright opening it here? Or… should I leave?"
He studied her for a moment, surprised, perhaps, by her quiet grace, her restraint. Then he shook his head.
"You don't have to leave."
Acacia nodded and stepped back beside Dominic, who stood tensely near the door.
The Duke broke the seal with deliberate care and unfolded the letter. His eyes scanned the words, his mouth setting into a hard line.
By royal command, the Duke Ashcroft is requested to present himself at the palace immediately.
Silence followed.
Dominic stepped forward, brows drawn. "What is it? What does the letter say?"
The Duke folded the parchment carefully. "I've been summoned to the palace. Immediately."
Astor frowned. "Do you think it's related to Acacia?"
The Duke shook his head, but the movement was slow, thoughtful. "It's too soon to say anything. Don't worry. I'll handle it."
Dominic nodded, though unease still clouded his features.
Acacia's voice broke the quiet, calm but firm. "If it is about me… I want you to know I'm ready. If anything happens, I'll speak to the King myself. I won't hide and I won't let this family bear my burden"
The Duke turned to her fully, caught off-guard by the quiet courage in her voice. For a long moment, he said nothing then a flicker of something passed through his expression. Respect. And perhaps, beneath that, something almost paternal.
"You may not be afraid," he said softly, "but that doesn't mean I won't do everything I can to protect you."
He rose from his seat, setting the letter down beside Emrick. Moving to the coat stand, he pulled on his outer cloak and gloves, adjusting the collar with quiet precision.
"I'll return as soon as possible" he said, casting a final glance toward them all.
Acacia nodded.
With that, the Duke strode from the room, Emrick trailing close behind. The doors closed quietly behind them, leaving the three standing in the echo of something that felt far larger than a simple summons.