Chapter 64: Ivy

Morning comes softly, filtered through pale curtains and the faint hush of the estate waking around me. For a few precious seconds, I lie still, staring at the ceiling, letting the quiet exist before my thoughts inevitably catch up.

They don’t waste time.

Rose’s too-quick smile.

Aaho’s invisible hand.

The scent of winter jasmine where it never should have been.

I exhale slowly and sit up, pressing my palms into the mattress to ground myself. Yesterday shifted something fundamental. I’m no longer reacting—I’m anticipating. Watching. Waiting.

And somehow… that steadies me.

I swing my legs out of bed and cross to the washstand, splashing cool water over my face. The reflection that looks back at me isn’t fragile or frightened. There are faint shadows beneath my eyes, yes—but there’s resolve there too. Quiet, stubborn resolve.

Good.

Today is different. Today isn’t about traps or tests.

Today is about learning.

I open my wardrobe and bypass the dresses without hesitation, reaching instead for my denim overalls. Soft, worn-in, practical. They make me feel like myself.

I pull them on over a tight white t-shirt, rolling the sleeves just so, then braid my hair back loosely so it won’t fall into my face. Functional. Comfortable. Cute enough that I catch myself smiling slightly.

Zeus is giving me my first proper lesson today.

The thought sparks something warm in my chest—excitement threaded with purpose. Not just recovery, but progress. Knowledge that no one can take from me.

As I slip on my boots, my mind drifts briefly to Luca—his watchful silence, the way he lets me lead even when every instinct in him wants to shield me. To Phillip, already probably lounging somewhere inconvenient while uncovering truths no one realizes they’ve revealed.

And, unavoidably, to Rose.

She thinks she’s composed.

Aaho thinks she’s in control.

Neither of them knows I woke up this morning already a step ahead.

Being reborn you would think I would already know every detail but sadly I have already shifted the course of time so I am not one hundred percent sure what will happen anymore. There are few things I can predict and I cannot help but laugh because what I can predict is Rose.

I grab my notebook, tucking it under my arm, and take one last look around my room before heading for the door. Breakfast waits downstairs. Lessons after that. Observation always.

The estate corridor stretches ahead of me, bathed in morning light.

I square my shoulders and step forward.

Whatever game they think they’re playing—

I’m ready to learn how to win it properly.

The dining room is already alive when I walk in.

Sunlight pours through the tall windows, catching on polished wood and silverware, turning everything warm and golden. The long table is set properly—too properly—but the atmosphere is anything but stiff. This is family. Loud, watchful, overbearing family.

Mama sees me first.

“Oh—there she is,” she says immediately, rising from her chair like she’s been waiting for this exact moment. “Look at you.”

Papa turns next, his stern expression melting into something soft the instant his eyes land on me. “There’s my Poison Ivy.”

I barely make it two steps before Mama has her hands on my shoulders, inspecting me from every angle. “Are you warm enough? You should have worn a jacket. And you’re too thin—Papa, look at her, she’s lost weight.”

Papa hums gravely. “We’ll fix that.”

“I’m standing right here,” I say, laughing as Mama presses a kiss to my temple anyway.

She ignores me and steers me toward my chair like I might wander off if she lets go. “Sit. Eat. You’ll have lessons later—you need strength.”

Papa nods approvingly. “Your mother is correct.”

I slide into my seat, smiling despite myself. Being spoiled is exhausting—but comforting.

Edward leans back in his chair across from me, one arm draped lazily over the back, grin already in place. “Denim overalls,” he drawls. “Careful, Ivy. You are looking like the sweet farm girl nextdoor. You’re going to break hearts dressed like that.”

I roll my eyes. “You flirt with your reflection. I don’t take your opinion seriously.”

He presses a hand to his chest. “Cruel. Absolutely cruel. And here I was going to offer to escort you anywhere you pleased.”

“No one asked,” William says coolly from the head of the table.

Edward laughs. “See? Even when he’s scolding me, he’s jealous.”

William doesn’t dignify that with a response. He’s already watching me—quiet, assessing, the way he always does. Head of the family first. Brother second.

“Sit properly,” William says instead. “You can hurt your back by slouching.”

“Yes, sir,” I reply sweetly, sitting up straighter just to annoy him.

Across from me, Zeus lifts his gaze from his plate. He’s quiet as always, dark eyes sharp but amused, like he’s listening to a joke only he can hear.

“You look ready,” he says simply.

“For breakfast?” I tease.

“For learning,” he corrects. Then, after a pause, “The overalls are practical. Sensible choice.”

Edward snorts. “High praise coming from Zeus.”

Zeus shrugs. “Fashion should not interfere with survival.”

Mama beams. “See? Even your teacher approves.”

Rose clears her throat.

“Ivy,” she says pleasantly, offering a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “You look… comfortable.”

I glance at her, returning the smile easily. “I am.”

Her gaze lingers for half a second too long—measuring, irritated, hidden beneath politeness.

Papa gestures to the spread. “Eat, everyone now that my Poison Ivy is here.”

Plates are passed, servants hovering just long enough to ensure my plate is fuller than everyone else’s. William kept his word and I got my greasy breakfast today. I guess he is forgiven for yesterday’s sad excuse of a breakfast. Mama adds something extra when she thinks I’m not looking. I smirk at the fact she thinks she is being sneaky, trying to fatten me up. I don’t say anything though because I am here for it. I love my foods. Papa watches until I take the first bite, satisfied only when I do.

William finally speaks again. “Zeus, you’ll keep the lesson light today.”

Zeus nods. “Observation first. Application later.”

William’s eyes flick to me. “No pushing yourself.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I say innocently.

Edward smirks. “She’s lying.”

“I wouldn’t dare lie to my big brothers,” I reply with an exaggerated tone.

A rare thing happens then—William’s mouth twitches. Just barely.

Rose notices.

So do I.

I sip my tea, letting the noise of my family wash over me—the teasing, the watchfulness, the love that feels like armor some days and chains on others.

They think today is normal.

Breakfast. Lessons. Routine.

But as I sit there in my denim overalls, surrounded by people who would burn the world down for me, I know better.

There is still one person at this table that wishes me harm.

And this is the calm.

And I am ready for what comes after.