Morena turned toward the voice, her expression plain and unreadable.
There stood Edric Vale, a familiar face, one she had no trouble recognizing. He hadn’t changed much as very little time had passed in reality.
He had messy brown hair, a relaxed posture that walked the line between confidence and casual laziness, and that ever-present smirk that tried too hard to look effortless.
But it wasn’t effortless, Morena knew that much.
He raised a hand in greeting and smiled as he called out to her.
"Well, if it isn’t Lady Morena. Didn’t think I’d see you out here so early. Especially not here."
She gave a small nod but didn’t act as friendly as the man did, maybe once she would’ve but things where different now.
His name left her lips out of habit more than any genuine warmth, a name her past self called rather often.
She and the man was once good friends, or at the very least, drinking companions.
Edric Vale was the first son of a very minor noble house. His family had bought their title from a disgraced noble bloodline some years back, barely scraping into the lowest tier of nobility. Officially, they were landholders and merchants, but everyone knew they lacked any real prestige.
Still, Edric had always carried himself like a proper noble, something his family had forced into him.
She remembered the old Morena speaking with him often. They had often gone drinking together, attended parties, and even considered one another friends for a time.
And it made sense, she and Edric were alike.
Both firstborn heirs of noble families. Both expected to carry on the family name. Both disappointments in the eyes of their elders.
Edric did have a core, unlike her, but his affinity was pitifully low, in fact it could be considered the lowest amongst the current group of warrior trainees. His younger brother, by contrast, had talent in spades, and unlike her own situation, Edric’s parents had already made their choice.
His brother would inherit the family’s title.
Edric was a placeholder—allowed to remain visible only because it would be too messy to disown him outright.
They had bonded over that shared misery, but that was then.
The current Morena had no interest in suffering beside someone with no ambition to rise. She had the chance to grow into something, and she would never waste that.
Edric approached, hands tucked behind his back.
"You’re a long way from your usual haunts. Didn’t think the training ground was your style anymore."
"I had business in the area."
Her answer was simple and she didn’t go into further details, but she didn’t outright deny the conversation.
He grinned and chuckled slightly at her short reply. He was surprised but it reminded him of the first time he had met her.
"Still good with words. You haven’t changed much."
Morena didn’t answer.
Edric seemed unfazed by her silence and stood beside her, casually glancing at the training below.
"Same as always. A bunch of hopefuls thinking they’ll be warriors by next season."
His voice held no bitterness, just tired amusement. At this point he had already grown accustomed to his position, he knew he was worthless, and he gladly wallowed in it.
She kept her focus forward, watching the distant movements of her sister.
"I see you’re still here."
Edric shrugged at her comment.
"Where else would I be? Can’t exactly go home and mope. At least out here, I can pretend I’m working toward something."
She said nothing but she understood what the man meant. She pitied him, but she didn’t have anything to say.
He chuckled lightly, then glanced at her.
"Hey. Want to hit the pub later?"
Morena turned to look at him fully now, her expression was stern, but not unkind.
His grin faltered slightly.
"No? Just like that?"
She left it at that, her tone final. She did not wish to indulge in alcohol further, not only would it poison her body but also her mind.
He held her gaze for a moment, then looked away, exhaling.
"Guess last time was too much for you still, whatever. Tell me whenever you want to go drinking again."
Before Morena could respond—or excuse herself—movement in the distance caught her eye.
Her sister had turned from the training group, eyes locking onto hers immediately. There was no mistaking it, she had been noticed.
The red-haired girl wasted no time, waving briefly to one of the trainers before walking toward Morena’s position.
Morena kept her posture steady as she couldn’t leave anymore. She sighed internally, she had wanted to leave before her sister noticed her, but instead she was seen.
She wasn’t here to cause a scene, but she knew her sister wouldn’t let this pass without a few words, and the last thing she wanted was unnecessary attention from her family.
As her sister approached, Edric noticed too and leaned in slightly.
"Looks like trouble."
Morena didn’t reply. Her focus was already shifting—preparing herself for the next interaction.
One she had no desire for, but couldn’t avoid.