The Scent of Youth

<p>He was a thorn without a rose.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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…</p>