"Lord Holden! I need to speak with you!" A gruff but familiar voice ran through the door.
"Why would anyone need to wake me up by banging on my door so early in the morning?" I needed more sleep than this.
"You have got some nerve complaining when it's because of you I have been awoken twice in the same morning!" My brother groaned while plopping back down on his bed, dramatically tossing his pillow over his eyes.
I tried to fix my mess appearance but there was no hope of stopping the persistent knocking without opening the door. I suppose I shall have to look like a slob.
I hurriedly and with a bit of frustration, unbolted the door. Swinging it open with a bit of a dramatic flare, I met Gella's father face to face.
The older man was mid-knock and stumbled a bit into the room with the force of a missed strike. Serves him right.
"Yes, Mister Eumund? How can I help you?" I did not offer the man a seat, hoping against hope that the couch might soon be a bed once more.
"I apologize for the early hour," He began as I am sure he saw my brother roll over in bed, attempting to be unbothered by his morning. "But I have a grievance to address with you."
"Forgive me, but I am unaware of any offense. Can you enlighten me?" I began in the tone I reserve for court. It is easy to fall into such a manner when I hate the topic that is set before me.
"My daughter informs me that she is to be a guest of honor at tonight's ball. I can only assume that she will attend with you even after our frank discussion." Eumund eyed me angrily.
"Please do not leave it to me to break her heart. Do inform her that she will not be attending the ball with you. Good day!" Eumund tried to turn to walk down the stairs, but my words stopped him in mid-step.
"She already knows that she is not attending the ball with me." I added with a hint of amusement in my tone. I turned to walk away from the door.
Eumund invited himself over the threshold. "What do you mean?"
"I am not her escort tonight. In fact, I have this morning received my assignment not to leave Princess Alina unattended for the ball. I unfortunately would not have time to properly attend to anyone accompanying me, so I will go alone." The words were bitter sweet. At least they put this overly interfering man in his place.
"Who is she going with? Who else among her acquaintances would be a guest of honor?" The older man questioned, not believing my absolutely true statements.
"How about a tournament champion? Mister Eumund, I invited your beautiful daughter to the ball. So if there is nothing else…" My brother groggily stood as he made his proclamation before motioning toward the door.
"You?" The older man looked like he just discovered that there was a forecast of candy rain out of a blue sky.
"Yes, Sir. Is that a problem?" Benate stretched to his full height, towering slightly over this home invader.
"So Gella was not mistaken yesterday when she told me you were her guest in the royal box?" The man tripped over his words.
"No. Your daughter is many things, but a liar is not one of them." Benate's sharp words should surely cut the man even further down to size.
"I did not mean that Gella would lie. I thought she was mistaken." The man tried to justify his insult to his own daughter's honor.
"I am sure you believe that," Benate's keen tone made me smile. I love my brother. "Now if you do not have any objections about your daughter being seen with a handyman, even if he was raised by the same mother as a Swordsman, I think there is nothing left to clear up."
Eumund's face turned bright red. "Your mother is a fine woman and a dear friend!"
"Yes. She must be very near and dear to you. You must be close to someone to stab them in the back to scorn their name to their children." Benate never minced words. I rarely got the luxury of speaking openly in such a way.
Eumund began to open his mouth and thought better of it. Digging his own grave in this apartment would simply mean digging through his own place of business. My brother still technically owned the land beneath our feet.
Benate took a deep breath, letting the room clear from his confrontation. "Before you go, let us clear the air. Are there any objections to your daughter accompanying me to the ball tonight?"
Eumund breathed deep in response. "No, Sir Benate, there is no problem. I think you are one of the most honorable gentlemen I know."
I did not like the implication that I was dishonorable, but at least the trajectory of the conversation was no longer headed toward blows.
"Honorable? That title belongs to my brother," Benate gestured toward my form in the doorway. "But I thank you for the compliment nevertheless. Good day, sir."
"Good day." Eumund walked past me with a slight nod and more color in his cheeks than he regularly displayed.
I nodded in respect, even though I felt none. I wish I could go home. Bring in the harvest and let other men report to me the workings of the capital. Let mother make me homemade soup.
As if my daydreams were audible, my mother appeared at the bottom of the stairs with a voluminous bag in her hand.
"Mister Eumund! How lovely to see you. I hear that your daughter is going to the ball tonight on the arm of my sweet Benate." Mother cooed politely.
"I believe she is." Eumund responded. At least he believes now. I rolled my eyes.
"Well, this is her dress. I finished the alterations last night. I was going to store it in Benate's apartment. Since you're here it'll save me the trip!" Mother handed over the sizable bag to the man. He strained under its weight.
"You worked on a dress for Gella?" Eumund stammered.
"Why of course! What did you think? That mending things is beneath me?" My mother laughed. "Titles mean nothing. People are worth every amount of kindness possible."
My mother's title is not what made her better than her companion. Her heart did.