Hiraeth

Chapter One

The morning sun spilled into Sage's room like molten gold, bathing the lavishly decorated space in warm light. The walls were adorned with faded tapestries depicting scenes of long-forgotten battles and romances, remnants of a bygone era. The air was thick with the scent of lavender and old books, a smell she had come to love. But today, even the cozy familiarity felt stifling.

Sage sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her deep blue eyes. Today was the day she was to meet Duke Fleck, the man her father had pinned all his hopes on. She grimaced at the thought, her stomach twisting in knots.

"Great. Just great," she muttered, dragging her fingers through her wavy hair. The auburn tint shimmered in the sunlight, but she barely noticed. All she could think about was how to avoid becoming another pawn in her father's game of societal chess.

The knock at her door was soft but persistent. "Lady Sage? Your maid is here to help you dress," Kade's voice drifted through the wood. She smiled, a flicker of warmth coursing through her. He had a knack for showing up at just the right moment.

"Send her in!" she called, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She stared at her reflection in the ornate mirror, the scar on her cheek a reminder of her past adventures and her stubborn refusal to conform.

The door creaked open, and her maid, Clara, entered with an armful of fabrics. Clara was a petite woman with dark hair pulled back in a tight bun and a perpetually serious expression. Today, however, her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Good morning, my lady," Clara said, setting down the fabrics. "I brought you a selection of gowns. Your father insists on something impressive for your meeting today."

Sage arched an eyebrow. "Impressive? You mean 'overly grand and suffocating'?"

"Precisely," Clara replied, her lips twitching in a barely concealed smile. "But I thought I'd let you choose something that doesn't make you want to tear it off as soon as you enter the room."

"Bless you," Sage said, moving to the pile. She rifled through the silks and velvets, pulling out a deep emerald gown that hugged her curves without being too constricting. The color would make her blue eyes pop, but it was also comfortable-perfect for a day of pretending.

"Perfect choice!" Clara exclaimed, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Let me help you into it."

As Clara worked, Sage gazed out the window at the sprawling estate. The gardens were alive with the sounds of morning-birds chirping, leaves rustling in the soft breeze. But beneath the beauty, she could feel the weight of expectation, the pressure to perform like a finely tuned instrument.

"You're thinking too much," Clara observed, pulling the laces of the gown. "Just remember, it's one meeting. If he turns out to be a bore, you can always escape to the garden."

"Escape sounds delightful," Sage said with a wry smile. "Perhaps I'll take a long stroll and never come back."

"Don't say such things, my lady! Your father would have my head," Clara said, finishing up the laces and stepping back to admire her work. "You look stunning."

"Stunning enough to impress a duke?" Sage asked, fidgeting with the neckline.

"Let's hope so. But more importantly, you need to impress yourself. Own your beauty and your spirit, and no man can take that away from you," Clara said, her voice steady and reassuring.

Sage nodded, feeling a flicker of confidence at Clara's words. "Thank you, Clara. You always know how to lift my spirits."

"Just doing my job," she replied, and with a quick curtsy, she left Sage to finish getting ready.