Lincoln
I’m finally home!
My grandfather sent me away on Royal business. So quickly did it happen that I didn’t get to say goodbye to Darcie. Only the Gods know what she must be thinking. I tried arguing with Xale, insisting that Darcie needed me. She’d endured something awful—not just what her family put her through. I had promised to be there for her, but Xale wouldn’t listen. He insisted Darcie would be fine without me, that the family would care for her until I returned.
At Xale’s request, I checked on the new town’s progress in the barren lands. He argued that leaving good ground unused was wasteful—in his words, having it sit idle was ridiculous. Now, Ashdene Grove is well on its way to completion.
I didn’t understand why I needed to go, since Christian wasn’t doing anything, but
