Fragile Lily

The second chapter of Sanguine Sovereign, which was originally published December 23, 2020.

The chapter starts with Shimoa reading a book walking down a hallway. He passes by his father’s office and hears his parents arguing. Janus states that he cannot recognize Shimoa as his son due to Shimoa’s small frame and feminine appearance.

Ygraine goes on to threaten to leave Janus. As she is the source of their income and the staff are employed to her, her leaving would leave Janus in a state of deep debt. She says she will leave unless Janus spends time teaching his son how to be a proper lord.

In the hallway, Shimoa recognizes that his mother and father do not love each other. He also comes to the sad realization that his father does not love him. These thoughts are interrupted when his mother leaves the office and sees him standing there.

Trivia
Janus states that it would be easier to mistake a lily flower for an oak tree than to recognize Shimoa as a man. In the cover picture, Shimoa is standing in front of an oak tree holding a lily flower.