"Sir, aren’t maids supposed to be chosen by the head maid?" Irene asked when the Duchess was certainly far from the room by that point. "I learned recently that she is free to make those sorts of decisions."
"Has the Duchess ever done anything by the rules or with consideration for anyone else?" Gunnar snapped.
"Gunnar," Sven spoke in a warning tone. "If she heard you speaking like that..."
"Forgive me," the oldest knight quickly apologized.
He didn’t take Sir Sven’s words as insubordination, but as a necessary way to remind him of the situation he was in.
"I merely worry that we are a bit lacking in knights already, and it doesn’t seem as if His Majesty is interested in moving forward with knighting any of our apprentices thus far," Sven explained with a sigh. "We can’t afford to lose another—much less one of our best." He then turned towards Sir Eitan. "Forgive me for comments about His Majesty."
"Water under the bridge," the knight responded. "Considering my cousin’s treatment of the north lately, I can’t quite say I blame you. Whatever is said in this room stays inside."
There was a pause as Gunnar considered both of the knights’ words.
"Apprentices," he addressed the others in the room. "I’m going to ask for something uncharacteristic of my usual orders."
"I understand, sir," Irene was the first to say.
"It’s alright, sir," Felix responded.
"You can trust us, Sir Gunnar," Leif added.
Gunnar sighed one last time before he straightened out, and his eyes brushed over the apprentices.
"I need you to keep an eye on these new maids for me," Gunnar explained in a quiet, but no less firm, voice. "I don’t trust what is happening here. The way the Duke’s health declines the longer the Duchess is here. The way she doesn’t let any of us get close to the Commander any longer..."
"Yes, sir," the apprentices responded equally as quietly so that the conversation would remain a secret from any passersby or in case the Duchess was still out there for whatever reason.
The door had been closed to preserve the warmth in the room by that point, but they still needed to walk on eggshells.
"Felix," Gunnar addressed the oldest apprentice directly. "You will need to be quiet with this information. Find a trusted maid and warn her what we’re doing."
Felix sat up a bit straighter.
"Why me, sir?" he asked smoothly.
Gunnar merely narrowed his eyes and his head tilted forward in a way that spoke louder than words. The words ’You can’t be serious. Do you think I’m an idiot?’ was written all over his face.
"Go now," the knight ordered.
Felix immediately stood up and exited the meeting hall.
He didn’t need more push to see the very person he had been pining for. Ever since he stepped foot back in the Duke’s Tower, his blue eyes never stopped as he searched for any glimpse of her. Unfortunately for him, she was a dutiful girl and was likely busy with something as usual. He hoped she saved a bit of time for him that day.
In the meantime, Leif and Irene were left sitting there for a few moments. It seemed that all of the energy they had the moment they arrived was slowly waning. Hearing the news that their commander was extremely sick felt very bad. Discover more novels at novel★fire.net
The knights were much in the same state as they each stared off in different directions with pensive expressions on their faces.
"Sir Gunnar, what will happen if he passes away?" she asked. "Will we truly be led by Her Grace?"
Observant as ever, Sir Gunnar never missed when Irene got stiff each time the Duchess entered the same room as her. She could sense something was off about the woman, and, no matter how much she tried to hide how she truly felt, Gunnar was attuned to Irene enough to know those types of things.
He felt much of the same, which was why he was trusting her with the task. The other two were merely there when he wanted to ask her. Knowing how the three worked, they would likely find Irene sneaking around and meddling in their own way if they weren’t told directly.
"We must find his will," Gunnar responded. "Every noble in the kingdom is required to have one that the King is aware of so that disputes of titles don’t turn bloody. I can only assume it was a requirement when His Grace came to power, considering he was older and heirless." The knight then muttered, "Which is really no wonder considering the way the Duchess performs under stress."
Irene’s eyebrows rose at Gunnar, and he shut his mouth once more.
"That’s enough," the knight said as he stood up. "Everyone ought to go eat something and rest up. I have a feeling the winter will be far less boring than the others you’ve experienced in the Duke’s Tower."
Usually, Irene was welcoming to adventure, but Gunnar’s words seemed like a warning.
Regardless, all any of them could do was follow orders as they went to the dining hall. They were greeted by other apprentices and a couple of knights who had to fill in for those who were required to escort the Princess and Crown Prince.
It was quite a full house compared to usual for the wintertime.
Irene and Leif got their food quietly and sat down at their usual table.
There was a while where no words were shared between them, but even when they were nearing the end of their meal, Irene couldn’t help breaking the silence.
"Are you worried about His Grace?" Irene wondered. "I know he was more active when you—"
"No, that isn’t it," Leif insisted. "I’m tired from all of our travels, that’s all."
Irene stiffened up at his tone.
There were a few times Leif had been uncomfortable for some unknown reason, but she thought he had moved past that. At the beginning of the journey to Earl Auden’s estate, they felt particularly close, especially after she opened up a little bit about her tattoo and he helped her with her wound.
They went their separate ways for the evening, but the strange feeling didn’t leave them. Leif was never rude to her but he seemed to hesitate constantly.
It vexed her all the way until the spring.