Chapter 30 Since Roman was so sharp , was time to get his education on track . Bright kids deserved school - to experience the grind of learning . Lorrayne made up her mind to find him a top - notch teacher . No , one wouldn't cut it - she'd line up seven or eight . Literature , math , archery , painting , music - she'd load him up with all the knightly essentials , plus extras for good measure . Her kid was going to excel in every way : mind , body , spirit , arts , and hard work . Gazing at Roman's fluffy little head , Lorrayne felt a surge of determination , like she'd suddenly transformed into one of those parents pushing their child to the limit . A chill ran down Roman's neck , leaving his small face blank with confusion . He wondered , 'What is going on ? Why does it feel like a cold wind has just blown through ? ' Before long . Tom returned from his errand . Lorrayne noticed that despite his young age , he handled the reins like a pro , so she called him into the yard , " You're Tom , right ? " Tom was skinny as a rail , his sunken eye sockets hollow from lack of fat , making them look like pits . He wore Roman's hand - me - downs , the sleeves and pant legs comically short , and he stood there cowering , his body trembling with fear . " Don't be scared - just answer my questions , " Lorrayne said gently . Kids like this tugged at her heartstrings ; Tom reminded her of Roman on that first day . " Y - yes , I'm Tom . " He bowed his head in terror , his spine curving like a cooked shrimp . Lorrayne softened her tone further . " How old are you this year ? " " Sixteen ... sixteen . " Tom fibbed - he was actually eleven - but he worried she'd ditch him for being too young , like the carriage yard boss who'd kicked him out . Eleven was prime growing age ; he ate a ton but was too scrawny for heavy labor , so no one wanted him . Seeing Tom's downcast head and shaking legs , Lorrayne didn't press . His resilience wasn't on Roman's level . A few years older , he'd endured more of the world's cruelties - it'd take time and patience to build him up . " Tom , Roman picked you out , so you must have something special . From now on , you'll stay in the side room by the back gate . The kitchen will handle two meals a day for you , plus twenty Copper Coins daily as pay . Sound good ! " Tom's head snapped up , then dropped just as fast , his voice bursting with excitement and joy . " Yes ! Yes , miss , I do ! " He bobbed up and down in endless bows , pouring out his thanks . Twenty coppers a day ! With room and board included ! he thought . The drivers at the carriage yard only made fifty a day , no perks , and apprentices under eighteen got zilch - sometimes they even had to pay up Tom felt like he'd been hit by the fuckiest pie in the sky , his head spinning like he'd downed a bottle of wine . Roman is spot - on - this is the kindest , most beautiful noble lady ever ! he thought . Too shy to look at Lorrayne , Tom shot a grateful glance at Roman instead . Roman caught it and lifted his chin proudly , beaming with shared glory . Now with a driver on board , errands would be a breeze . Lorrayne had been using Troy as her gofer before - felt a bit guilty about it now . P Chapter 30 55 vouchers Troy was a mystery : killer Bladecraft , that flashy griffin mount , even Lilian gave him props . Treating a guy like that as an errand boy ? Not cool . Speaking of Lilian , Lorrayne turned to Tom . " Did Ms. Rossetti mention when she'd be back ? " Tom shook his head . " No , Ms. Lorrayne ." Lorrayne thought for a second , then instructed , " Head over to the academy gates later and wait . If Ms. Rossetti comes out , offer her a ride . " With those two Knights still crashing here , Lilian was bound to return . Tom , buzzing with excitement over his assignment , dashed off to the side gate where the carriage waited . He just loved being around horses . Roman scampered back to the flower bed , rump up in the air as he huffed and puffed , yanking out weeds . Lorrayne had initially thought he was sprucing up the garden , but now it clicked - he was collecting feed for the horse . " Roman , over here . " " Ms. Lorrayne ! " Roman tossed aside his handful of grass and raced over , wiping his filthy hands on his pants before smearing away the not trickling from his nose . Seeing that , Lorrayne realized her road to shaping him up was going to be a marathon . If she didn't step in , she shuddered to imagine a stunning six - foot - two heartthrob gazing at someone with soulful eyes ... only to casually drag the back of his hand across his snot - smeared mouth . Talk about a horrifying sight . " Ms. Lorrayne , what's up ? " Roman craned his neck innocently , totally unaware of the snot streak slashing across his cheek or the mud ring encircling his lips like a grimy goatee . Lorrayne started to speak , then held back , not wanting to dent his pride . Finally , she whipped out her handkerchief and softly wiped his face clean . " Roman , I'll spot you the cash for the horse's feed . From here on out , Tom's like your little bro - help me keep an eye on him , yeah ? " No boy - young or old - could turn down the thrill of having a " little bro . " Roman's eyes curved into happy crescents as he beamed . " You got it ! " Lorrayne handed over the handkerchief . " Big brothers lead by example . Show him how it's done , and mold Tom into a tidy , polite driver . Roman cupped the cloth in both hands . " I won't let you down ! " Lorrayne breathed easier , having offloaded the booger - crusted hanky . She climbed the stairs to the room she'd claimed as her own . The second floor housed just three folks right now : her , Lilian , and Troy . With Lilian and Troy both out , the quiet was golden - perfect for another go at divination . She needed to figure out if yesterday's fluke was real or if she'd actually unlocked some talent . Lorrayne retrieved the turtle shell , cupping it with her left hand underneath and right on top , then closed her eyes . In the expansive mental night sky , stars whirled and realigned , the Celestarium blooming into view . Fixated on the twirling golden paths , Lorrayne voiced her first query . " Am I Atlandia King's daughter ? " The shell stayed intact this time , but the overhead stars still dropped hints . If yesterday's session had been fortune - telling , today's was about Fate's Resolve - a simpler gig by all accounts . After poring over the formations , Lorrayne frowned . " No ? Was my hunch totally wrong ? " So the original owner isn't from the queen and king - maybe the queen and her runaway lover instead ? ' she wondered . Lorrayne zeroed in on the chart again . " Am 1 Becky Isis's daughter ? " 2/3 Chapter 30 0 P Stars shimmered , a comet tail whooshed past , yielding yet another verdict . " No ? " Lorrayne stared , truly stunned by the indicators . 135 vouchers She thought , ' I have zero connection to the king or queen - just an ordinary fisherfolk orphan whose parents have passed early ? ' Okay , fair enough - chalk it up to too many TV shows . Those plots always fool me into fancying myself the secret protagonist . " If that wasn't the case , Athina must've pegged her wrong ; something about her appearance or vibe had triggered the mix - up . Clear things up with her ? Lorrayne nixed the idea - why pass up a free disguise ? Last night , when Athina pressed about the Isis name , she'd worded her answer ambiguously on purpose to fuel the error . Besides , spilling to Athina meant confessing her Lowborns roots - no way . She'd already pissed them off ; that revelation would just fast - track her demise . Lorrayne squeezed her eyes shut , withdrawing from the psychic realm . Today's Celestarium left her far less woozy - Fate's Resolve was evidently a breeze compared to peering into the future . 3/3 Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.