Scent Of Youth eBook

He was a thorn without a rose.Scorned for his unusual appearance and nature, young Josiah s expulsion from school leads him to the grim world of rat-catching at the local orphanage. Amid new-found bonds and a simmering animosity, a longing for independence draws him towards the quiet life of a nearby village.Welcomed by kind souls, Josiah earns his keep as a skilled vermin remover and helpful stable hand. But when a rat-borne illness strikes the town, Josiah s unique abilities bring him to the attention of the imposing Duke.Within the castle walls, caught in the strange dynamic between the Duke s son Bergen and the formidable Helga children and ogres in one Josiah s life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of the spirited Nadia. Their shared love of poetry ignites a passionate connection, but joy is fragile, and loss leaves an indelible mark.Unbeknownst to Josiah, Helga s deep-seated hatred of children is taking root within the Duke s domain, setting in motion a chain of events that will irrevocably alter his destiny