The heavy conversation caused Irene and Arne to both be struck with exhaustion. However, it was that on top of all the traveling the two kids had been subjected to the days before that really did them in. Arne hadn’t been sleeping well in the carriage and Irene had been on the monster culling trip where she had spent a lot of energy and didn’t eat very much for a couple of days.
Rochelle sat at the bedside of the large bed in the guestroom she was forced into and she watched both of her children sleep peacefully. A contemplative expression was on her face as she stared at their gently rising and falling chests.
At least they seemed peaceful because, when Irene was first in the room, the anger she held was palpable. She hardly said a word to her mother but it was probably better that way than saying the things she clearly wanted to say.
It was a hard reality to face that Rochelle and her daughter would probably never see eye to eye. Then for Irene to go into the line of work that had nearly taken Arthur from her on multiple occasions, she didn’t know how to face her daughter with anything more than disapproval. It was easier than the fear she was feeling.
The woman was exhausted as well—both emotionally and physically. But before she could seek sleep herself, she felt the door creak and a warm hand on her shoulder.
A left hand. Because that was all her husband had left.
The sting of tears was felt in her eyes but she pushed it away as she looked up at Arthur.
"What is it?" she whispered.
"Shall we continue the conversation?" he whispered in return.
The woman clenched her jaw and glanced at her children. She then glanced at Arthur again and nodded.
Rochelle followed Arthur out into the hallway. When she got to his side, he was as gentlemanly as always and offered his right arm to her. When her hand was tucked against him and placed on his sizable bicep, he placed his left hand over her fingers.
She only slightly regretted the venomous words from before. There wasn’t a right way to see your husband with a new scar going through his eyebrow and a hand entirely missing for the first time. Whenever she looked at the nub of flesh, she felt weak in her knees.
The pain he must have gone through...
She clenched her jaw but maintained the proper facade of a noblewoman that she was meant to uphold. It was already embarrassing enough that she lost her head and yelled in front of everyone before... Twice.
They walked slowly to the library which was surprisingly empty at that time of day.
However, Arthur realized how relaxed things became in the Duke’s Tower whenever they were done with the monster culling for the year. Most were hopefully resting after the arduous trip.
Once inside, Arthur shut the library doors and they went to a hidden sitting area by one of the two fireplaces in the expansive space.
Unlike earlier, he led Rochelle to a couch that would allow him to sit next to her.
Rochelle was cautious and resistant. She stared at Arthur expectantly, waiting for him to speak first. Her resolve was strong and he respected how she always fought for what she believed in.
"I told the children that I will no longer be a knight at the end of winter," he confessed quietly.
Rochelle’s gaze broke away from him and she faced forward to the fire.
It was really no wonder Irene entered the room with such anger before she fell asleep next to Arne. She wondered if Arthur put it all on her shoulders and Irene would have to hate her after all.
Her eyes narrowed as she fell into contemplation.
"What it took to get to this point is so very awful..." she practically whispered.
"Aren’t you happy with the outcome?" he asked. "It’s what you’ve always wanted. Now that you’ve threatened me with taking my children and ruining Irene’s career towards knighthood, I have no other choice."
"That was the only way that you wouldn’t kill yourself," Rochelle persisted. "You care too much about your children to let them go. No matter what anyone thinks of the times you’re away from home, they’ve always been your top priority. I have never doubted that, Arthur."
By the time she was at her final word, her voice was a mere whisper. She knew she had been cruel, but what was a powerless woman supposed to do otherwise?
She had to look away once more. This content belongs to noveⅼfire.net
The silence was extremely heavy for a few moments but Rochelle soon felt her affectionate husband’s hand on her knee. Then it swept inwards ever so gently and he laced his fingers with hers.
"And what about you?" he asked in a soft voice.
"What about me, Arthur?"
"In my list of priorities, where do you think you fall?"
Rochelle pushed his hand away from hers and she began to stand up.
No sooner did she stand that she was suddenly pulled back down, but the quick knight had her on his lap instead and he gave her one of his all consuming hugs that made the world feel warm even in the coldest winter.
"It’s my fault if you think it’s any lower than at the very top alongside our children," he whispered.
Her eyes began to water despite how hard she fought that feeling. To say that she felt neglected at times was an understatement—no matter how much she understood that life married to a knight would be like that. She sniffled and he held her even tighter.
"I just want to stop worrying all the time," she admitted. "The only way my heart rests is if you’re in front of me. Now Irene..."
The woman buried her face in her husband’s neck and she took him in. This was the man she had chosen. He was so much more valuable than what he brought to the knighthood.
"Irene’s good," he insisted. "She’ll soon be the best apprentice. When she’s knighted, she’ll then work to be the greatest knight."
The couple held one another until there was an interruption at the front of the library and they had to break apart from one another. It was time to get their bearings together. They needed to leave before the valley could fill with snow once more.