Chapter 25 Archery Triumph 59 +20 Free Coins Hannah , too , seemed reborn under the happy wind - cheeks rosy , back straight , a spark in her eyes that made her appear years younger . " Now , how shall we arrange the banquet ? " she asked , voice bright with anticipation . Meryl brought the porcelain cup to her lips , the steam curling across her smile . " We needn't scramble this very instant , " she said , voice as light as the wisp of tea . " After the New Year come the horsemanship and music trials . Let the world see we , the Niven family , know how to hold our composure . " Across the table , Hannah nodded , the silver comb in her snow - white hair glinting beneath the lantern . " Perhaps restraint is best . Our accounts are already running tight this year . " A sigh slipped from her , and she added , " Joanna shows little talent for ledgers . You , Meryl , may have to steady her hand . " Meryl answered with gentle haste , palms raised in soft refusal . " Mother , I have no head for sums . Better to let Joanna keep the reins . " Not a single word of blame colored her tone . From her seat beside the screen , Fiona watched the exchange , thoughts unfurling behind a placid gaze . Is Grandmother probing because Aunt Joanna can no longer manage ? In earlier years , Joanna had guarded the household keys with an iron will , and Hannah favored her openly . Meryl , for all her patience , never won a share At that moment , with Meryl declining , Hannah could not force the matter , no matter how the ledgers bled . Later , back in Bamboo Lodge , where autumn light striped the bamboo floor , Fiona said to Meryl , " Mother , helping Aunt Joanna with the ledgers might not be impossible ." First , she could not watch the family coffers drain beneath Joanna's pride , Second , a coin meant power . Zachary - though a high officer - was still the second son . Goodwill between brothers might last or fray . If Meryl oversaw the silver , the main branch would measure every move against that quiet strength . Meryl stroked Fiona's sleeve . " True , it isn't impossible - just not yet . Your aunt will not surrender even a sliver of authority for now . " Meryl would never toil for praise that never came . Only when Joanna came seeking help 1/3 14:42 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 25 Archery Triumph would the bargaining table tilt in Meryl's favor . 59 +20 Free Coins Fiona weighed the pieces . Joanna's pride kept her blind ; the looming shortfall would force her head to bow . That crisis , properly used , could open the very doors she barred . Yet survival required ready silver . Fiona would never raid her mother's savings . She needed a way to earn - fast . The next dawn , Hannah and Joanna bound for Frostenden Temple to pray . They summoned Fiona to join the pilgrimage . Autumn was nearing its end , and Frostenden Mountain lay hushed beneath a quilt of fallen crimson maples . Sunlight danced on the lakeside , and every breath tasted of distant , quiet water . When Fiona saw Penelope , she halted , skirts brushing dry leaves . " Duchess Zonfrillo , blessings upon you . " At the sight of Fiona , Penelope remembered the scar remedy the young lady had once whispered to her . It had worked exactly as promised . Yet , conscious of Hannah's watchful eyes , Penelope merely returned a polite nod , gratitude locked behind her composed smile . Penelope turned to Hannah without preamble . " Old Mrs. Niven , you asked to meet me today . What is it you require ? " Hannah laid a hand on Fiona's shoulder . " Fiona , Duchess Zonfrillo and I will proceed inside to pray . Wait here in the courtyard and do not wander off . " Fiona nodded , though unease fluttered in her chest . Grandmother seeks Duchess Zonfrillo for one reason only , and I already know the outcome . With idle time pressing , she stepped into the temple , offered a proper bow , then drifted toward the table of fortune slips . On impulse , she drew one . She was not truly devout , yet a hint - any hint - never hurt . The fortune slip revealed a fortunate verse , " Though distant by a thousand miles , fated hearts will meet as one . Fiona stood beneath Frostenden Temple's vermilion caves , lifting the ribbon - thin fortune slip toward the breeze . What if my husband is not even from Duflana ? I will not be traded to some far - off court . Despite every tale of dreamlike marriages , she had no desire to live beyond the reach of the 2/3 14:42 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 25 Archery Triumph 58 420 Free Coins Niven family . A husband's name could dissolve like mist ; only her mother's blood remained a woman's true backbone . Right then , a soft voice sliced through her reverie . " Fiona ! " Fiona whirled . Naomi approached , quick as birdsong , and beside her glided Roxanne . Fiona's smile bloomed . " Naomi ! Roxanne ! What a lovely surprise . " Naomi's eyes sparkled . " I brought Roxanne here with my mother to pray . I never imagined draw ? " we'd meet you , too . Tell me , what fortune slip did you At that , Roxanne tilted her head toward the fortune slip cradled between Fiona's fingers - the unmistakable pink of a marriage fortune slip . Color stole across Fiona's cheeks , yet she answered honestly , " I was passing by and thought , why not consult the temple about my future husband ? " Countless noblewomen sneaked to the temple for the very same reason , slipping their marriage fortune slips into sleeves the moment the monk looked away . Few , however , possessed the candor to admit it aloud . Naomi's fondness for Fiona deepened . With a light laugh , Naomi said , " Just moments ago , I persuaded Roxanne to draw one too . The master declared hers a blessing among blessings -' a match made in heaven , destined to bloom across a thousand miles . " " Fiona nodded . " Roxanne is flawless . Whoever wins her hand will count it the greatest fortune of his life ." She believed it ; Roxanne's virtues would turn any union into a good one . Naomi's smile acquired an almost secret curve . The fortune slip had hinted at a bond between Roxanne and her brother , Soren , yet with Fiona present , she bit back the playful tease that danced on her tongue , Changing the subject , Roxanne said , " Your first place in archery was magnificent , Fiona . Congratulations . "