Page 100 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“The two eldest are. My eldest brother oversees our family’s knightage, and William is an Imperial Knight in the capital.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “Thomas, my third brother, is a blacksmith and runs a small merchant guild, but my younger brother is still in school. He’s only eleven.”
He was considerably younger than them, then.
“What a fascinating mix. Is your little brother interested in the sword?”
“Yes, my lady. We believe he will follow in our father’s footsteps.”
“What made Thomas run a merchant guild instead?”
“He trades in weaponry,” Rina explained. “He was always more interested in the creation of the blades over wielding them, and he’s very talented. In fact, my sword was forged by him as a gift for receiving my knighthood.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Really? No wonder you wield it so well if it was made for you. Honestly, I’m a little jealous.”
“O-of me, my lady?”
“Yes. When I was younger, I wished to train with the sword, but my father refused.” I smiled sadly. Even though it wasn’tmymemory specifically, it still made my heart ache.
“Well, if I may be blunt, my lady.” Rina paused. “You no longer live in his household. I’m sure if you requested it of the Grand Duke, he would be happy to indulge your desire.”
“Perhaps. I was allowed to learn archery, so it’s not too bad.” I smiled. “You said one of your brothers works as an Imperial Knight, correct?”
She nodded. “We haven’t seen each other in some time.”
“I have some letters to send to the capital with today’s post. If you’re quick, you can include one to your brother to let him know you’re coming.” I placed a sheet of paper in front of her. “I think we will be great friends, Rina.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Beside Me, Not Behind Me
“I have a gift for you. Two, actually.”
I peered over at Kalon as he pulled out two cases that looked remarkably like jewellery boxes. “What are those?”
“Here.” He slid them across the coffee table. “Open them. This one first.”
I took the blue box engraved with‘Chaumers’in an elegant gold and opened it. Inside, there were two things—one small, silver brooch set with a gorgeous emerald-green stone, and next to it was an emerald bracelet that matched it perfectly, with one of the stones being larger than the others.
“Are these… communication stones?” I asked. “I think I can feel a little mana coming off them.”
Kalon raised his eyebrows. “I’m impressed. Yes, they are. Aerwyna brought them with her when she came to see me a couple of weeks ago, and I thought it might be easier for you to use if they were both set into jewellery. Ark finds a brooch convenient, so I did that for Bella, but I thought you’d prefer a bracelet.”
“Thank you,” I said, running my finger along the bracelet. “It’s beautiful.”
His small smile shone in his eyes. “I’m glad you think so. This one is also for you.”
This box was bigger than the other one, and as I opened it, it was instantly clear why.
It was a set of diamond drop earrings and a diamond fringe necklace. The intricate design had many different sizes of diamonds, and I couldn’t even begin to guess how many carats I was holding in this box right now.
I was sure I’d never seen anything this expensive, this luxurious, and this downright beautiful in either of my lives so far.
“Wow,” I whispered, staring at the sparkling stones. “I… I can’t accept this.”
“Why not?”
“It’s too expensive!”
“And? You’re going to be my wife. You deserve to wear expensive things, Alicia.”
