Chapter Text
Light seeped through the cracks of the cabin window as the loud crow of the rooster woke Jade.
She groaned and stretched before fixing her bedding. When she glanced over, she saw Soren already awake, used to rising early to help her with the chores.
Vivianne was still fast asleep.
Jade watched as Soren leaned over and gently kissed his sister’s forehead before taking her hand. They quietly stepped out of the room together.
Jade nearly jumped when she noticed Casian already awake.
Soren was not surprised at all and simply walked past him to grab the basket for the chicken eggs.
“Ay! Why are you awake? It’s still early,” Jade asked.
Casian huffed as he straightened the blanket on the couch and looked at them. “I’m used to waking early for training.”
“Huh,” Jade said, shrugging as she tied her hair back. “You do you. Soren and I are doing our usual chores. I’ll make breakfast after.”
Right on cue, Soren returned carrying the basket. “I got it, Jade.”
“All right. Let’s go.”
She ruffled his hair and the two of them stepped outside the cabin, with Casian following behind to begin his morning workout.
The morning air was cool, carrying the faint smell of damp earth and grass. Dew clung to the leaves of the small garden beside the cabin, and the chickens were already awake, clucking impatiently inside their coop.
Soren hurried ahead and opened the gate. “Good morning!”
The chickens scattered toward the feed.
Manang Clucky fluffed her feathers as she walked straight toward Soren, gave a pleased cluck, and hopped onto his shoulder like she had done a hundred times before.
Jade narrowed her eyes as the chicken puffed her feathers, looking at Jade with mischievous eyes.
Jade puffed her cheeks in retaliation. “…Don’t.”
Manang Clucky puffed harder as she tried to make herself look bigger. They stared at each other.
Soren froze, basket in hand. “Jade…” he warned, as he knew what Jade was planning.
Jade slowly reached forward and plucked a loose feather from the chicken. Manang Clucky squawked in anger.
“She started it!” Jade defended immediately as the bird flapped off Soren’s shoulder and advanced toward her.
Soren burst out laughing. “You challenged her!”
“I did not—hey—HEY!”
Jade stumbled back as Manang Clucky pecked toward her hands. She grabbed a small stick from the fence post and held it out defensively.
“If I kill you, it’s for self-defense!” Jade hissed as she swatted at Manang Clucky, who, surprisingly, was quite agile and avoided every swing as she pecked at Jade.
Soren was laughing too hard to help. “You’re fighting a chicken!”
Behind them, rhythmic movements paused.
Casian, halfway through his training routine, had stopped mid-step. He stood in the yard, breathing evenly, watching Jade try to outmaneuver an aggressively offended bird and letting out a huff of laughter as the chicken completely dominated her.
He pressed his fist lightly against his mouth, trying his best not to be seen laughing at Jade’s unfortunate predicament, which failed spectacularly as Jade turned her head toward Casian.
She straightened, still holding the stick, and pointed at him. “Do not.”
Casian failed. A small sound escaped him.
Jade glared. “If you’re done exercising, you can help water the plants instead of watching me embarrass myself and get defeated by a chicken.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you need help in trying to subdue the monster?”
Manang Clucky lunged again.
Jade yelped and moved behind the fence post. “I do not need your help! Aish Manang Clucky pag hunung na buanga ka!”
Soren leaned against the coop door, still laughing as he carefully kept the basket steady. “She only does that when she’s mad.”
“She is always mad at me!”
The cabin door opened as Vivianne peeked out, woken up by the loud clucks and Jade’s screams, and watched them for a bit from the doorway.
Soren was laughing while trying to keep Manang Clucky from pecking Jade’s hand. Jade complained the entire time, her hair a mess as she poured feed into the trough. Casian was a few steps away, watering the plants in steady motions, occasionally glancing over at the noise and letting out a small smile.
Vivianne was about to join them when she looked down at herself and realized she was still wearing yesterday’s clothes and had not brought any change of clothes.
“…Ah,” she murmured as heat rose to her face in embarrassment.
She quietly stepped back inside.
Jade noticed when she turned and didn’t see her anymore.
“Where’d she go?” she asked.
“Inside,” Soren answered, busy holding the basket steady while the chicken remained on his shoulder. “I think she’s embarrassed that she’s still wearing her clothes from yesterday.”
Jade wiped her hands on her skirt. “Oh, she doesn’t need to be embarrassed. I mean, look at Casian. He’s still wearing his clothes from yesterday and we didn’t make fun of him.”
Casian grunted but didn’t reply as Jade patted Soren’s head and went in.
Vivianne was standing near the table, not doing anything in particular.
“You okay?” Jade asked.
Vivianne nodded, then hesitated. “…I don’t have any change of clothes. I thought we would be quick, so I didn’t bring any.” Her face reddened as she covered part of her face. “I’m so embarrassed.”
Jade looked at her once, giggled, and then walked to her room. Reaching her closet, she opened it and looked over her clothes.
“Oh, that is nothing to be embarrassed about. You were just thinking of your brother and wanted to see him immediately,” she said as she exited her room, bringing with her a long skirt and a simple white blouse. “Here. These should fit you. You can go in the room and change there. I will wait for you here. Just tell me if it doesn’t fit and I can look through my closet for a different one, okay?”
Vivianne accepted them. “Thank you.”
She walked into the room and changed while Jade started rinsing rice for their breakfast.
After a moment, Vivianne stepped out. The skirt was plain and a little loose, and the blouse was simple, something she never wore back in the duchy, but despite that, she felt warm and at home.
Jade glanced up from the basin as she started cooking the rice. “Looks good on you! Sorry I don’t have anything fancier.”
Vivianne blinked, then smiled, the tension leaving her shoulders. “Oh, please don’t apologize. I feel utterly relaxed in your clothes. Those dresses are a tad bit heavy, so this is a great change of pace.”
Jade smiled and handed her a basket. “Well, that is good to hear. Would you like to help me pick up some herbs in the garden? The rice will be cooking for a while, so we can gather herbs while waiting for it to finish.”
Vivianne beamed at that and immediately nodded. “Oh yes, please!”
They went back outside.
Soren immediately lit up. “Viv!”
Manang Clucky clucked and didn’t bat an eye at them, which Jade appreciated. Casian paused briefly, then resumed watering, which Jade reprimanded as he was drowning the herbs. Vivianne stepped into the yard beside them and asked Jade which herbs she should pick as they all gathered in the garden.
Jade showed Vivianne which herbs to gather, guiding her hands when she hesitated and letting her take her time. Soren moved around the garden with familiar ease, carrying what they picked and occasionally checking on the chickens as if it were part of his routine. Manang Clucky followed him closely, lingering near his feet before hopping back onto his shoulder once he stopped moving.
After the garden beds ended up far more soaked than intended, Jade gently steered Casian toward the woodpile instead. He accepted the axe without hesitation and took to splitting firewood with surprising enthusiasm, far more at ease there than he ever was with a watering pail.
They finished slowly, without hurry. Dirt was brushed from hands, herbs gathered into a small bundle, and the eggs secured in the basket. The morning sun had risen enough to warm the yard, and the earlier chill faded.
Jade eventually straightened and gathered what they had harvested, motioning them back toward the cabin. The group followed naturally behind her, Soren staying close while Vivianne carried the herbs.
Casian came last, arms full of freshly split firewood.
Jade stopped at the doorway.
She stared.
Then stared a second time.
“Hoy! Kadaghan ba ani!” she exclaimed, looking from the woodpile to Casian and back again.
Soren burst out laughing at her disbelief, nearly dropping the eggs as he hurried inside.
Casian blinked at her reaction. “You indicated the woodpile required splitting. I completed the task.”
Jade stared at him for a moment, then let out a long sigh and pointed toward the corner near the stove, directing him where to stack the wood.
Vivianne covered her mouth to hide a small laugh, clearly trying to remain composed, though her eyes softened as she watched the exchange.
Inside, Jade began preparing breakfast as she always did, humming happily as the rice cooked to perfection. Soren helped without needing instruction, setting things where they belonged and waiting for what came next. Vivianne joined carefully, watching before assisting, while Casian took a quieter role nearby, doing what he could once he understood where things were kept.
The small space filled with the simple sounds of cooking and movement, the warmth of the stove slowly replacing the cool morning air.
“Vivianne, come here for a second,” she said, shifting aside to make space. She handed her the bowl of herbs and showed her how to rinse them properly, guiding her hands once before letting her do it on her own.
Vivianne followed carefully, watching what Jade did and copying it, a little slow but determined not to ruin anything.
Soren hovered beside the table, already cracking the eggs into a bowl with great focus, occasionally peeking into the pan as if it would cook faster if he supervised it.
Casian finished stacking the firewood neatly beside the stove and turned back, only to stop when Jade slid a cutting board, a knife, and several cloves of garlic toward him.
“Here, if you’re good with a sword, I believe chopping some garlic will not be hard for you,” Jade said.
Casian stared for a moment before accepting the items.
“You can sit at the table and start chopping. I’ll check on you after.”
She moved back toward the stove, leaving Casian to his task. He took the knife and began cutting the garlic with far more intensity than necessary.
Jade melted butter into the pan and turned back just in time to hear a very fast, very consistent tak-tak-tak-tak-tak behind her.
She glanced over and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath at the sight. Soren and Vivianne also stopped what they were doing and looked over at Casian, both coughing to hide their laughter.
Casian’s knife moved with alarming precision, reducing the cloves into extremely fine pieces.
Jade slowly walked over and looked down at the cutting board, then at Casian, and back at the board before rubbing her temples.
“…I asked you to chop it,” she said carefully.
“I did,” Casian replied.
This irked Jade, who motioned toward the cutting board. “Oh, did you? Can you still see the garlic?!”
Casian looked down and was about to gesture toward what he believed was the chopped garlic, only to find a pale paste in its place.
“…Huh. I know it was just here. Where could it have gone?”
Soren burst into laughter. “You destroyed it!”
Jade pinched some between her fingers. “This is not chopped. You turned it into paste.”
Casian frowned slightly. “Well, you should have been more specific.”
“Sp-specific?!” Jade sputtered, raising her hand in disbelief while Soren continued laughing in the background.
She opened her mouth to argue further, then paused and sighed.
“You know what? Fine. Everything is fine. This will do.”
She carried the cutting board of demolished garlic back to the stove, muttering under her breath.
Vivianne covered her mouth, no longer able to hide her smile.
Jade scraped the garlic into the melted butter. The smell filled the cabin almost immediately, rich and warm. When the chicken hit the pan, it gave a soft sizzle, and the herbs followed soon after. Within moments, the small space smelled like breakfast instead of the damp morning air.
She cooked the scrambled eggs last, quickly and practiced, then began serving everything over bowls of hot rice.
Soren practically drooled as he hurried to set the table, dragging Casian along to help so they could eat sooner. While the two of them arranged plates and bowls with unnecessary urgency, Jade let Vivianne carry each filled bowl to the table.
They all gathered around the table, enjoying each other’s company. Soren enthusiastically retold the story of Jade being chased by Manang Clucky, waving his hands as he described the “battle.”
Jade rolled her eyes and poked his ticklish side, making him burst into laughter. Vivianne laughed too, and Jade immediately turned and poked her as well. Vivianne let out a surprised yelp.
Everyone paused for a moment before laughing again, even Casian chuckling as he ate.
Soren continued shoveling food into his mouth until Jade flicked his forehead.
“Soren, you’re going to choke if you eat that fast. The food isn’t going anywhere.”
He looked up and gave her an apologetic smile as he slowed down. “Sorry, it just tastes really good!”
Jade pinched his cheek lightly before returning to her meal.
Vivianne began talking with Jade about her life in the village, asking questions about the townsfolk and ways they might help them. Casian occasionally added his own suggestions.
While they spoke, Soren stopped eating. He pushed his rice around his bowl instead.
After a long moment, he spoke quietly.
“…Am I going back?”
The table fell silent.
Everyone looked at him, but Soren kept his head lowered.
“Am I going to go back to them?”
Vivianne straightened immediately. “Soren, of course not. I would never let them come anywhere near you. They were warned not to step foot in the Fontanelle Duchy again unless they wished to be imprisoned.”
Soren nodded slightly but didn’t look relieved. His fingers fidgeted together as he looked at his sister, then Casian…
…and finally Jade.
“But what about Jade?”
Jade pressed her lips together before giving him a small smile. “What about me, bud?”
“I-if I’m gone, who will help you here?” he asked, words starting to tumble out. “Who will water the plants? Who will help you with the chores?”
Vivianne looked away, her expression tightening as he continued.
“W-who will protect you if Manang Clucky fights you? Who… who will stay with you?”
Jade stood and walked toward him, crouching so they were eye level.
“Hey now,” she said gently. She tapped his nose. “Don’t worry about little ol’ me. Mira and the others will help me once our little warrior goes back.”
Soren’s face crumpled.
He pushed his chair back and ran for the door.
“Soren!”
Everyone called after him, but he didn’t stop running.
Vivianne looked at Jade, fear and worry clear in her eyes. Jade placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze.
“Don’t worry,” she said softly. “I know where he went. Let’s give him a moment. I’ll talk to him.”
✦
Soren wept beneath the willow tree he and Jade had found while exploring. It had become his sanctuary whenever he felt overstimulated or simply wanted to be alone. His face was hidden between his knees, his fingers gripping the fabric of his sleeves as he tried to keep his sobs quiet. The grass was cool beneath him, still damp from the morning dew.
He heard footsteps approach along the dirt path, slow and familiar.
Jade.
She walked the last few steps and lowered herself to sit beside him, leaving a small space between them. From far off, the faint clucking of chickens carried through the field.
“…You picked this place again,” she said softly. “I remember the first time we stumbled here. You couldn’t stop gaping at how a big tree could be hidden right behind the cabin without us knowing.”
Jade huffed out a laugh as she leaned back, staring upward for a moment.
“You would always run back here and take a nap, making me and the others go crazy trying to look for you.”
Soren shook harder, trying to hold back the sound, but a small broken noise still escaped him. He pressed his forehead tighter against his arms.
Jade rested her hands on the grass beside him, letting him know she was right there. After a moment, he spoke.
“I don’t want to go.”
His voice was muffled, barely above a whisper.
Jade nodded once. “I figured.”
“I don’t care about the duchy,” he continued, words stumbling over each other. “I don’t want servants or guards or lessons. I just… I like it here.”
His fingers dug into the grass.
“I like helping you in the morning. I like feeding the chickens. I like when Mira knocks too loud and you complain. I like when you forget things and I remember them.”
His voice trembled. “I like it when you check if I’m sleeping and tickle me when you figure out that I was just faking sleep.”
Jade’s expression softened, but she kept her tone steady. “You would not get enough sleep if I didn’t. Plus, you move a lot when you’re awake. It makes it obvious you’re feigning sleep.”
“I don’t,” he said weakly, though he didn’t look up.
They sat quietly for a moment.
“…Will you be lonely?” he asked.
Jade exhaled slowly before answering. “The house will be quieter.”
That was all she said.
Soren lifted his head then. His eyes were red and wet, his cheeks streaked with tears.
“Then… don’t make me go,” he whispered.
Jade turned toward him, giving him a sad smile as she wiped away the tears. “If I keep you here just because I’ll miss you,” she said gently, “that wouldn’t be fair to you or your sister.”
His brows drew together.
“Your sister came for you,” she continued. “She didn’t send someone. She came herself to ensure that you were safe.”
He didn’t argue, but his hands tightened in his lap.
“I know you’re scared,” Jade said. “And you don’t have to like it. But you won’t be alone there.”
“I wasn’t alone here.” A tear slipped down his cheek again. “Don’t you want me anymore, Jade?”
“Oh, Soren,” she answered quietly.
She finally reached out, resting her hand lightly on his head and smoothing his hair once.
“If it were possible, I would keep you here for as long as I live,” she said. “But this is not where your destiny lies.”
He stared at the ground for a long time before asking, very carefully, “If I go… can I still come here?”
“What a ridiculous question,” she laughed. “My cabin will always welcome the dirty little boy that scared me as he tumbled out of the bushes.”
His breathing shook, and after a moment, he leaned sideways, resting his forehead lightly against her shoulder as he turned to hug her, tears pooling in his eyes again as he sobbed into her shoulder.
Jade let him. Her hand moved to his back, slow and reassuring, and she stayed there with him beneath the willow tree until his crying quieted.
After a while, Soren’s breathing steadied. His grip on her sleeve loosened, though he didn’t pull away immediately.
Jade waited until he was ready. “Feel a little better?”
He nodded against her shoulder.
They stood slowly. Soren wiped his face with his sleeve, trying to hide the redness around his eyes. Jade didn’t comment. She only brushed a bit of grass from his hair.
They walked back toward the cabin together.
From a distance, the house looked the same. Smoke curled faintly from the chimney, and the garden fence leaned the same crooked way it always had. Nothing had changed.
But Soren held onto the edge of Jade’s sleeve the entire walk home.
He didn’t let go until they reached the door.