Chapter 12: Chapter 12 - Roderic

A few months had passed since Madam Aldwin’s departure, and Roderic sat at his desk, the warm afternoon light filtering through the windows of Highfield Manor. A letter lay open in front of him, its words still lingering in his mind. It was from a distant relative, full of the usual updates on family matters and estates. But one line had caught his attention more than the rest.

"Old Lord Felwin’s youngest just had a son. Another heir for the line."

Roderic leaned back in his chair, releasing a quiet sigh. The simple statement pulled his thoughts in unexpected directions. Another heir. Another line secured. At thirty-five, the thought of his own legacy had begun to weigh on him more often these days. He had worked tirelessly to secure Highfield’s future, especially with Leon’s awakening as an Evoker. The boy’s power added a layer of protection for the land and its people—his people.

But what about his own future? His own family?

He hadn’t thought about it much, not since his youth. He’d had a sweetheart once, twenty years ago, before the war. They’d talked about marriage, building a life together, but when he returned from the front, she had moved on—happily married to someone else. It had stung then, but he had understood. War changed everything, and he had accepted it. Since then, his life had been focused on duty: managing the estate, caring for the people of Highfield, keeping them safe.

Yet now, as time marched forward, the idea of having someone beside him, of building something personal, began to stir again. And as his thoughts wandered, they inevitably drifted to Mira.

She had been a constant presence since Leon’s arrival—quiet, strong, and capable. Her blonde hair, so much like Leon’s, always caught the sunlight as she moved through the manor, her blue eyes reflecting a deep resilience. Unlike most women in his circle, Mira wasn’t interested in titles or courtly games. She didn’t see him as the Baronet; she saw him as a man. And he found himself drawn to her. Over the past months, they had shared moments—conversations that lingered, her gentle smiles, the ease with which she navigated her life in Highfield. There was something about her that made the estate feel more alive, more like home.

Had he been blind to it all this time?

He rose from his chair, walking to the window and gazing out over the estate grounds. Once upon a time, long before the war and the baronetcy, he had been a farmer himself. His hands had known the soil, the satisfaction of working the land. That life had been left behind, but it had shaped him into the man he was now. Mira had come from the same background, and he knew she missed it. They had spoken once, briefly, about her old life—how much she missed growing things.

An allotment.

The idea took shape in his mind, as if it had been waiting all along. He could offer her a piece of the estate, a small plot where they could farm together. It would be a gesture—a way to show her that he wasn’t just her lord, but someone who wanted to share a part of himself with her.

It wasn’t a grand romantic gesture, but it was real. Honest. And if Mira felt something for him, perhaps this would be the first step toward something more. With quiet determination, he called for one of the servants. Preparations for the allotment would begin immediately.

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The late afternoon sun filtered through the trees as Roderic and Mira walked together through the estate gardens. The workers were busy clearing a piece of land in the distance for the secret allotment he had planned for her. As they strolled through the lavender beds, a sense of calm settled over them, though Roderic felt an unusual nervous energy bubbling beneath the surface.

He glanced at Mira, who was gently brushing her fingers over the lavender flowers. She had always moved with a quiet grace, her blonde hair catching the light, but today, something about the way the sunlight played on her features made him more aware of her presence than usual.

“I never really said this before,” he began, his voice more hesitant than usual. “When the law forced my hand—bringing you and Leon here—it wasn’t exactly my choice. I know it wasn’t ideal for you.”

Mira looked up, surprised by the shift in the conversation. “Roderic, you don’t need to apologise. It wasn’t your fault.”

He nodded but couldn’t shake the feeling. “I know. But I still feel responsible. You had your own life, your own home, and suddenly you’re here because of a law I had no control over.” His voice softened, his words genuine. “But I want you to know, having you here... it’s made Highfield feel more alive. You’ve brought something this place was missing.”

Mira’s cheeks flushed faintly at his words. She smiled, but it was small, almost bashful. “I never thought about it like that.”

Roderic scratched the back of his neck, feeling the awkwardness creep in. “It’s true. I wanted to thank you for that.” He paused, watching her reaction carefully. “I don’t want you to think that I only see you as... part of the estate. You matter, Mira. More than I’ve probably let on.”

Mira’s gaze flickered away for a moment, but there was a warmth in her expression that told him she understood. “You’ve been kind to us, Roderic. More than you needed to be.”

He shook his head, offering a small smile. “Maybe, but it wasn’t out of duty. It was because I wanted to.”

Their eyes met for a moment longer, and Roderic felt something between them—something unspoken yet undeniable. He could see it in the way her expression softened, in the way she lingered just a moment too long before looking away. It wasn’t a declaration, but it was enough to make him feel like maybe he wasn’t imagining things after all.

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A couple of weeks had passed, and the allotment was finally ready. The workers had cleared the space, tilled the soil, and set up neat rows for planting. It was a small but well-crafted plot, tucked away in a quiet corner of the estate grounds, surrounded by a simple wooden fence. The sun was just beginning to dip in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the freshly turned earth as Roderic led Mira toward it.

He had kept the allotment a secret, hoping it would be a pleasant surprise. But now, as they neared the spot, his nerves began to fray at the edges. This wasn’t like managing his estate or leading men in battle—this was personal, and it felt infinitely more delicate.

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Mira’s steps slowed as she noticed the small plot of land before her. Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked at him with a curious tilt of her head. “What is this?” she asked, her voice soft with surprise.

Roderic cleared his throat awkwardly, his heart thudding in his chest. “It’s... something I thought you might like,” he began, glancing at the freshly prepared soil. “I know you’ve missed growing things, and I thought... maybe this could be a way for you to reconnect with that.”

Mira stepped closer to the small gate, her fingers lightly brushing the wooden fence. She didn’t say anything at first, just looked out over the neatly tilled rows, taking in the sight. After a moment, she turned back to him, her expression tender in a way he hadn’t expected.

“You did this... for me?” she asked quietly, her voice filled with something more than simple gratitude.

Roderic felt his cheeks warm, but he nodded. “I thought you might appreciate something familiar. Somewhere you could work the land again, if that’s what you’d want. It’s not much, but... I wanted to give you something that was yours.” He hesitated for a moment, then added, “I thought we could work on it together, if you wanted. I used to help with the fields, before all of... this.”

Mira’s eyes glistened as she looked back at the small plot. She crouched down, running her fingers through the dark soil, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “It’s perfect,” she whispered, her voice full of quiet emotion.

Roderic stood a few paces back, feeling his nerves ease as he watched her. He hadn’t been sure how she would react, but seeing her there, gently touching the earth, made him feel like he’d made the right decision.

“I’d love that,” Mira said, glancing up at him with a smile that carried more warmth than he had ever dared to hope for. Her blonde hair caught the light of the setting sun, glowing softly against the backdrop of the allotment. “Working the land again... it feels right.”

As they stood there, Mira looked at him again, her expression glowing with gratitude. Before Roderic could say anything more, she leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. It was brief, just a brush of her lips, but it sent a shockwave through him.

Roderic froze, his thoughts grinding to a halt. His pulse quickened, and his face immediately flushed a deep crimson. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out—he was completely and utterly speechless.

Mira pulled back with a quiet, amused laugh. “Thank you, Roderic,” she said warmly. Then, without giving him a chance to recover, she turned and stepped into the allotment, leaving him standing there, rooted to the spot, staring after her in stunned silence.

Roderic touched his cheek, his heart still racing. He had faced battles and commanded men without breaking a sweat, but this—this was entirely different. He stood there for a moment longer, trying to process what had just happened, as a faint smile spread across his face.

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Over the next few days, Mira found quiet joy in working the allotment Roderic had prepared for her. The act of tending to the soil, planting seeds, and watching the small sprouts begin to grow brought a sense of peace she hadn’t realised she missed. But what brought her even more amusement was the subtle changes in Roderic’s behaviour.

Each time they crossed paths, whether in the gardens or around the estate, Mira noticed Roderic’s awkward attempts at casual conversation. He would falter, stumbling over words that didn’t seem to come naturally to him anymore. Though he was usually calm and composed when handling matters of the estate, Mira had discovered that, when it came to her, Roderic seemed to lose some of that control.

It became a quiet game between them. Mira couldn't resist the urge to tease him gently—whether with a playful remark, holding his gaze just a moment too long, or a light touch when they worked side by side. She found it endearing to see the stoic baronet become flustered so easily.

One afternoon, as they worked together to plant the last of the spring seedlings, Mira noticed a bead of sweat trickling down Roderic’s temple. Without thinking, she reached out with her thumb and gently wiped it away. The simple act, so natural and casual, had an entirely different effect on him.

Roderic stiffened, his face reddening as his eyes flicked to hers in surprise. He cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure. “Uh—thank you,” he murmured, his voice lower than usual.

Mira chuckled softly, her laugh warm and light, making him feel suddenly more at ease. “You’re welcome,” she said, her voice playful yet gentle. She could see how her small gestures unsettled him, but it wasn’t discomfort—he was simply unsure how to respond, like no one had treated him with such familiarity before.

“Does working the land still feel natural to you?” Mira asked, deciding to change the subject as she knelt beside the seedlings. “Or has being a baronet made you forget what it's like?”

Roderic took a breath, grateful for the shift in conversation. “It still feels natural,” he said, his tone settling into something more confident. “Though I don’t have the time for it like I used to. I miss it sometimes—there’s something honest about working with the earth.”

Mira smiled, her eyes twinkling. “You should spend more time here, then. It suits you better than the title.”

Roderic gave a small, almost bashful smile. “I’ve thought about it. I wouldn’t mind spending more time here... with you.”

Mira’s laughter filled the air again, her amusement tinged with affection. “I wouldn’t mind that at all,” she replied, a playful gleam in her eyes.

Roderic felt a surge of warmth at her words. She was teasing him, yes, but there was something in her tone that gave him hope that she meant it, too. For all his responsibilities, he felt more at ease in these moments with her than he had in a long time.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden light over the allotment, Mira rose from where she had been kneeling, brushing the soil from her hands. She shot him a mischievous glance. “I think that’s enough for today.”

Roderic straightened up, dusting his own hands off, though his mind was still focused on her. “Yes, you’re right. We’ve done enough,” he agreed, though part of him wasn’t ready for the day to end.

Mira stepped closer to him, her eyes glinting with playful intent. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a teasing whisper. “You really should loosen up, Roderic. It’s just farming, after all.”

Before he could think of a proper response, she winked at him and turned, walking back toward the estate with a confident stride.

Roderic stood there, watching her go, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He let out a quiet breath, feeling a mixture of amusement and something deeper. His life, which had been so focused on duty and responsibility, had taken a new turn—a turn he hadn’t expected but welcomed all the same.

Later that evening, as he walked through the manor, he found Mira alone in the drawing room, seated near the window, her face lit softly by the setting sun. The sight of her there, serene and at ease, stirred something in him.

With quiet resolve, Roderic stepped inside, his voice softer than usual as he spoke. “Mira, I’ve been thinking...”

She looked up, her blue eyes meeting his, curiosity flickering in them.

“I’d like to take you to the town festival next month. There’s a fair, music, food... as you know, and I thought...” He paused, gathering his courage. “I thought it might be nice for us to go. Together.”

Mira’s eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, but a small smile touched her lips. “Are you asking me to accompany you, Roderic?”

He nodded, more certain now. “Yes. As... something more than just your host.” His heart beat faster, but he kept his gaze steady.

Mira studied him for a moment, and then, with a soft, warm smile, she nodded. “I’d love to.”

Roderic felt a rush of relief and something warmer, something more profound. He returned her smile, feeling for the first time in a long while that perhaps this was more than just a hopeful beginning. Perhaps it was the start of something real.