Chapter 22 Family Calculations : 59 +20 Free Coins Joanna's smile warmed in honest pride ; to a mother , her own daughter would always be a jewel . She saw plainly the schemes turning in Hannah's mind , yet she doubted that the Zonfrillo family , having declined Rita , would ever choose Fiona instead . Still , if they did , the main branch would benefit . Only - Joanna was certain - Fiona could never tame Soren . Within half a year , his household would likely teem with fresh concubines . That evening , the main and second branches enjoyed a rare reunion , the dining hall alive with clinking cups and overlapping laughter . When the meal concluded , Hannah waved her gnarled hand like a magistrate dismissing a court . " Stanley , Fiona , you have only just returned . You all should go home and rest ." Outside Ambrosial Garden's moon - lit gate , the two brothers paused for a brief farewell , autumn mist curling around their boots . Joanna hurried beside Stanley , her tone syrup - sweet . " Stanley , I have a pot of broth warming in my chambers - it should be perfect just about now ." Stanley barely slowed , eyes fixed on the shadowed path ahead . " I've no appetite tonight . Go on back . I'm paying Isabel a visit ." With that , he spun on his heel and strode away , his cloak fluttering behind him like a banner of quiet defiance . Joanna's smile froze , an unfinished curve stiffening on wax - pale lips . Fingertips brushed the face that had once turned heads , and in their cool tracing , her eyes hardened . Isabel keeps flaunting herself as though the ancient order between wife and concubine has been erased . Elsewhere , Meryl and Zachary walked shoulder to shoulder along the pebbled path . The hush between them stretched so thin it felt ready to tear . More than once , Zachary's gaze slid sideways , lingering on his wife's profile the way a penitent studies a saint . " Mother , Father misses you terribly , " Fiona said , pitching her voice between coaxing and plea , " Claiming he wished to see me was a ruse . All along , he just wanted an excuse to see you . " " Your father misses no one , Meryl replied , arching an elegant brow . " If anything , he is already weary of a wife whose years are showing " " I never- " Zachary began , his protest tumbling out before he could tame it . 1/3 14:41 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 22 Family Calculations 59 +20 Free Coins " Shall I procure yet another concubine for you ? " Meryl went on , her tone smooth as lacquer yet sharp enough to draw blood . " I was wrong ," Zachary said , voice trembling . " Nothing ever happened with Eleanor . I only thought that I'd quietly dismiss her after Mother's passing , sparing you and keeping Mother from heartbreak . " " And if it happens again ? " Meryl asked , her gaze steady as winter water . Eleanor had almost cost Fiona her life . By then , Zachary knew better than to keep any woman , however innocent , at his side . " There will never be a next time , " he vowed . " If Mother urges me again , I simply will not step into Ambrosial Garden until she relents . " His greatest failing , Fiona reflected , was a tenderness toward Hannah so absolute that her slightest discomfort became law , and in the shadow of that devotion , Meryl had suffered for years . Still , if he was willing to change , forgiveness was possible . Fiona tugged at Meryl's sleeve , whispering , " Mother ." Meryl let the quarrel drop . She had secured the promise she wanted ; to press further would only drive her husband away again . When they reached Lily Garden , Zachary was no longer barred from the gate . After four months , he stepped once again into his wife's chambers . Only then did Fiona allow herself to breathe . For the next three days , Zachary emerged each dawn from Meryl's rooms , hair askew yet face alight . Even his return from court grew earlier , as though gravity itself now pulled him home . On the fourth morning , an imperial edict arrived , sending Zachary south to Yarburn on official business . " Now we can speak freely ," Fiona said to Meryl after the servants withdrew . " His Majesty brought up Granny . He knows perfectly well , yet he insists I address him as Uncle Aldric . " " His Majesty disapproves of your granny , " Meryl said with a dismissive wave . " If he says ' Uncle Aldric , it need not trouble you Fiona understood . The address was a showpiece , a public gesture meant to broadcast Emperor Aldric's magnanimity . 2/3 14:41 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 22 Family Calculations . : 59 +20 Free Coins " Still , I fear for the Princess Royal's family ," Fiona murmured . " Please write Granny a letter , Mother . Clear words can only help ." " Then I shall do as you say , " Meryl answered after a thoughtful pause . Meryl's brush moved with a restraint that still sliced the page like a thin blade . Fiona had studied every stroke since childhood , and over time , their scripts had begun to echo one another . " Mother , could you also send Granny my regards ? " Fiona asked . " Have you already forgotten what your grandmother warned you about ? " Meryl asked , her voice gentle yet edged with caution . Years ago , Emperor Aldric had nursed more than one lethal thought toward Helen . To keep the family clear of the fallout , Hannah insisted that Fiona and Vincent distance themselves from the Princess Royal's family . What began as a childhood rule , enforced by miles of road , hardened into polite formality even after the siblings were grown . Meryl and Helen had accepted the necessity , yet the concession still left a bruise on the heart . Fiona then explained , " Mother , Granny and I may not visit , yet His Majesty still mentioned her when he spoke of me . If he ever wished to find fault , even the thinnest thread between us would be enough- " " Not another word against His Majesty , at least not where ears might listen . " Meryl cut in , brow knitting . Fiona stopped short . She knew the remark had crossed a line and let the matter drop . After a moment , Meryl's expression softened . " Your granny will be delighted . " Yondale lay far from Jexburgh ; more than a month had passed , and still no letter had come back from Helen . The notice for Fiona's archery evaluation , however , arrived right on schedule . 3/3