As Irene entered her barrack for the first time in ages, pleased to see that the maids had still been dusting and tending to it so it wasn't in disarray, she let out a relaxed sigh. It was good to be home. It felt like she had been on the move nonstop that entire year. It felt about time to settle down and move slower, but she knew that meant knight duties were just beginning again. There would always be something to do in a knighthood even if it was merely patrolling.
The maids had been bringing deep basins for the returning knights full of warm water, always ready for the Duke but likely asked to be given to the knights who could use a bath after being on the road for so long.
Irene gratefully sank into the warm water after unceremoniously dropping her things and undressing. Even though it wasn't as deep of a bath as one at her father's home, it was more luxurious than anything she had experienced in a long time.
The knight washed herself from head to toe, thoroughly satisfied by the time she dumped the last bit of water over her head. When she was finally dry and out of the water, she felt rejuvenated enough to get into a nicer tunic than she normally might wear. It was made of light blue and contrasted her hair quite strikingly, in her opinion.
Her long, red hair could use a cut soon, she realized as she slowly brushed lilac oil through it that reminded her a bit of the garden at home.
With her hands occupied with her hair, her green eyes then went to the door and she realized that she still hadn't put away her saddlebags or the items she had procured in Idona. At least she finally had the motivation to be a bit more productive before she would go and see what the Commander wanted to talk to his closest knights about.
As she placed all of her items in the various places they belonged, she crossed the small desk where she paused and her reddish eyebrows lowered at the sight of a letter sitting on her desk. There was no telling how long it must have been there, but she would recognize the Litharion coat of arms anywhere. It had to be her father reaching out to her.
Stopping everything else she was doing, Irene sat at the desk and unfolded the letter.
You'll imagine my surprise when I found that my child had traveled all the way across the continent to Idona from another person. I suppose it's a good thing the other aides of Duke Mattson are well-informed about this situation, but I am a bit wounded that I didn't hear about it from you first.
Please write sometime so that your family knows you haven't forgotten them.
I miss you as always,
Irene couldn't help the short laugh that escaped her. The way the letter was written made her picture her father as a spoiled child demanding attention. Since he was so overbearing, sometimes it was a good thing to have him further than an arms' length away. However, she did miss her entire family, including her mom and her brother.
Having a moment alone and carrying the thoughts of missing her family, she felt a pang inside of her heart that caused her to bring a faintly freckled hand to her chest. She wanted a good, long hug from her father and to wake up with an extra blanket on top of her as her mother presented her silent care late in the night. She wanted to tackle her brother and get in a sword fight. Simply running through a field and lacking inhibitions with her brother and cousins sounded like heaven on earth.
But this was the life she chose. The life of a knight. Not the life of a woman.
She couldn't have the softness and tenderness she so desired because she had made sure that there was nothing desirable or needy about her. Even if there was a desire within her, she had to ignore it. There was no going back. It was the decision she made for herself.
Realizing she was lingering a bit, Irene decided it was time to put on her boots and rush out of the place. There was no time to question her life's decisions when the Commander—and other knights, of course—were waiting for her in the library.
It had been such a long time since she had been there in the first place. She was a bit eager to see if anything had changed. Perhaps there were new additions she could look into as the season became colder and she needed something else to occupy herself with.
While it did occur to her that she could go home during the winter months since she was a knight now, she had an urge to stay at the Duke's Tower. The last winter was so harsh and she wanted to reacclimate herself with the knighthood during the slower season.
The thoughts were distracting enough that she let her guard down a little bit and, as she rushed down the hallway to get to the library's entrance, she ran squarely into the person walking out of the large room.
Firmly against the chest of someone so much taller than her, she held her hands out as if she was surrendering. Her shock didn't dull the fact that whoever it was smelled a bit piney.
However, a laugh brought her back to reality and she quickly backed away. She would recognize the laugh anywhere because it was a noise she had been pining to hear for over a month.
"C-commander! Forgive me!" she requested quickly, bowing her head as she did so. "I was a bit distracted."
He seemed amused rather than annoyed.
"Anything interesting?" he asked.
Her mind was completely and totally blank. She couldn't remember what she was thinking even a moment before.
"Nothing," she responded decisively. "Maybe a bit tired from traveling."
"We will unwind this evening," he assured her. "Let us join the others."
Irene's head was hot as she joined the other knights who were already sitting at various places along the tables. Luckily, she wasn't the last one in there because Siverly and Sir Maximus arrived just after her.