The two travelers arrived back at the Duke’s Tower more of a unified force than ever before.
However, the more Irene stewed in the past couple of days, the more worried she was to face the other apprentices. Having been chosen first out of her friends despite being the last to join the knighthood caused her to wonder if people would think it was her father’s influence. It could very well be, but the true reason for Sir Gunnar to want to protect her was a secret she was unwilling to reveal.
Despite any feelings or reservations, the girl pressed on. She had to lift her head and put down her shoulders. There were many other issues she had to face just to get where she was at that moment. It wouldn’t be a big deal if more was in her way. She would simply go through it.
After giving their horses to the apprentices on outside duty who seemed a bit nervous at the knight and apprentice, Irene turned to Gunnar as they left the building.
"Is there something the matter with them?" she wondered.
"They faced a bit of trouble for allowing an apprentice to leave the premises without informing me," he explained to her with a wolfish smile that Irene didn’t appreciate.
"Ah..." She became sheepish. "It won’t happen again, sir."
"I’m very well aware of that," he responded. "Now you must eat something before you go to the armory and take care of our armor and weapons before you’re allowed to sleep. While the journey itself was punishment enough for you going against orders and leaving, this will be a reminder."
Irene bowed her head.
"Of course, sir!" she exclaimed. "I will do just as you said."
"Now go to the others," he stated. "I have other matters to attend to."
Irene bounded down the hallway towards the dining hall where the wonderful scent of warm stew greeted her first once she opened the door. Next, the warmth of the room thawed her out after traveling a solid nine hours that day, the last two that were in the darkness of evening since the sun set so early during that season.
Immediately she garnered a few surprised glances. A few were curious as if to ask "Where have you been?" but she didn’t break her stride as she went to the maids who were serving up supper in wooden bowls.
She was eager to take a bowl from Agnes who was handing them out.
"It looks like you made it in one piece," Agnes teased her gently. "I’m relieved to see it."
"Thank you, Agnes," Irene responded, smiling despite all the secrets between the two of them.
There was something particularly sweet about sharing the secret with someone so kind.
However, as the girl got her stew and bread and then faced away from the long table, she was met with the sight of the two apprentices she was closest to. One seemed relieved to see her while the other was cautious for a moment but soon broke his gaze and focused on his meal.
Since Felix was going to be so silent, she sat next to Leif who said, "You gave us all quite a scare. Glad to see it wasn’t something serious for you to be back already. Only a few short weeks and we will have to deal with the Royal Family."
"I wouldn’t miss it for the world," Irene assured him. "My father certainly wouldn’t let me."
Leif smiled and nodded at her, but his gaze broke away. He glared at Felix before returning to his meal as well.
"I can feel the coldness on you," Leif uttered. "Eat more."
On the tip of Irene’s tongue was the urge to brag about being chosen by Sir Gunnar but she managed to hold back. Eating was the best thing she could do considering that was what the knight told her to do.
Felix finished his food and got up from the table. The only thing he said was "I will go to my barrack. My duties are finished for the day."
All Irene and Felix did was acknowledge him with nods.
Quietness settled over them. Leif had finished his food but he fidgeted as he formulated what he wanted to ask. It seemed he settled with directness.
"What’s up between the two of you?" Leif asked once his food was gone as well.
"I’m surprised he hasn’t told you," Irene admitted.
"Each time I ask why he has a practice sword up his arse he grumbles about practically nothing," Leif admitted.
Irene couldn’t help laughing at that. The older Leif got, the more comfortable he seemed. Even if he was deadpan most of the time, the things he said still struck her.
"Well, can I be honest?" she asked. "Please don’t jump to conclusions the way he has."
"If you’re asking if you can trust me—"
"That’s not it," she assured him, cutting him off quickly. "I merely want you to hear me out first."
"Right," he responded. "I will."
"Since I was wounded, I became friends with Agnes," Irene explained. "She’s even come to my room a couple of times making sure I’m adjusting alright. When my father was injured, she came to my room then as well. Felix said something about how I would dream about having a girl like that in my room, but it isn’t like that!"
She spoke more quickly towards the end as she started to get a bit more emotional.
"He’s kind of an idiot..." Leif muttered. "Even I believe you when you say you aren’t interested in that sort of thing. Perhaps it isn’t your battle to fight. He will learn eventually..."
Irene sighed, but it felt good to be talking to someone about the Felix situation.
However, all that was left to do was finish her food so she ate the last few bites and cleaned her bowl with her bread. She was starving and grateful to not have to behave ladylike at that moment.
When she was delivering her bowl to the maids, she saw that Leif was following her. When they were at the door, they turned to one another. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
"What is next for you?" Leif asked.
"Since Sir Gunnar was the one who brought me back to the Duke’s Tower, I’m going to clean his armor and weapon," she admitted.
"I will go with you," Leif insisted. "I have nothing else to do. Everyone has been going to bed so early around here."
With that, Leif followed Irene to the armory.