I Was the Stepping Stone novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The Commander’s Manor

“What did you say? She dared to embrace another man in public?”

Alaric Thorne’s face darkened like forged iron, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles turned white.

He had assumed her resistance was merely a ploy to toy with his emotions-never had he imagined she would betray him

so brazenly.

With a furious roar, he slammed his fist onto the wooden table, splintering it into pieces.

“I haven’t even left for the western kingdom yet, and she’s already this audacious!”

“That woman-truly, I’ve spoiled her rotten!”

He snatched his cloak and stormed toward the door.

A servant rushed to block his path.

“Commander, tonight is the final treatment for High Princess Seraphina’s illness. Will you not attend?”

Alaric halted mid-stride, his gaze flickering toward the palace.

For a long moment, he stood in silence before murmuring, so softly it was almost imperceptible, “The last session is of little consequence. Let the royal physicians handle it with care.” And with that, he vanished into the night.

The servant stood frozen, stunned. Never before had he seen the Commander so unhinged.

Meanwhile, at the teahouse…

I had Henry Van Persie sign a contract-binding him to work for me for at least five years.

With hesitant words, he then made a request: “Would you… mind helping me arrange my quarters?” His voice was uncharacteristically vulnerable. “I’ve been an orphan since childhood, sleeping under open skies. I’ve never had a proper

room before…”

Understanding softened my expression. I led him upstairs, and as he followed, a sly grin-too cunning for his youthful face-flashed across his lips.

“Here, hold the corner of the sheet. I’ll teach you how to make the bed.”

My voice was gentle, and Henry listened with earnest focus. But just then, a sudden gust of wind extinguished the candle, plunging the room into darkness.

A scream tore from my throat as primal terror seized me. Memories surged-of the night Alaric had abandoned me on the mountain, the howling winds, the wolves circling in the blackness. Outside, rough voices had echoed, likely bandits scouting the area. To survive, I had stifled all light, huddling beneath a pile of straw in the corner, praying the cold wouldn’t claim me before dawn.

Now, that same suffocating fear returned. Instinctively, I scrambled toward the shadows-

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Only to be caught by a pair of strong, warm arms.

In an instant, I was enveloped in a secure embrace. Though young, Henry was tall and broad-shouldered, his frame even

more solid than Alaric’s.

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