I woke to the smell of damp earth and woodsmoke. As I stirred, I realized I was no longer shivering, a heavy fur cover had been tucked carefully around my shoulders.
I sat up instantly, wondering where this came from, the fur sliding down my chest.
Lord Kaldric was already awake, sitting on the edge of the cot as he pulled on his leather gauntlets. He looked rested, though his movements were still stiff from the stitches.
"My Lord," I whispered, holding the fur out to him, "You should have kept this. You are the one who is injured."
"I have no need for it," he grumbled without looking back, "The morning air is enough to wake the blood. Keep it or toss it, I care not."
Forming my lips in a thin line, I held it close to my chest, considering it no less than a treasure and carefully tucked it into the trunk.
The breakfast arrived. I rarely get to share a meal with him. Usually, he went scouting just to avoid 'two moments' with me. It was silent but the lack of sound was comfortable too.
Enough to warm my heart as I poured him some water and munched on my favorite part of the meal- Apple. I placed my meat on his plate since he required more energy, and loved it.
"Hmm?" He raised an eyebrow but didn't bother to acknowledge my action either. He finished his meal, my eyes were quietly fixed on his untouched apple.
He picked his apple and tossed it toward me, I caught it instinctively, "My Lord?"
"I ate too much. I no longer have an appetite for this. Eat it." He rolled his eyes and rose from his seat which was confusing.
I had seen him eating much more than two pieces of meat and some bread. Why did he give me his apple?
Shrugging my shoulder, I smiled, "Thank you, My Lord."
I bite onto the savory apple only to find him throwing his steel at me too. My eyes went wide, I saved my apple first and caught his breastplates.
"Mhm?" I raised my brows. He stopped before me, "Armor me."
I nodded, doing it carefully this time to not accidentally touch him.
But the fragile peace between us was shattered a moment later when Sir Aldwin ducked into the tent, his expression unusually tense.
"Commander. Orders from the King's pavilion."
Lord Kaldric hummed, his eyes affixed on me, watching me armor him. "Speak."
"The scouts report more movement in the ridges. The forest is no longer tenable for a royal encampment. His Majesty has accepted an invitation to secure the procession elsewhere."
Sir Aldwin hesitated, glancing at me before looking back at Lord Kaldric, "We are to move to the Sernic estate. We stay with Earl Emerson until the trail is cleared."
He paused, closing his eyes, letting the information sink in.
"I see. Okay."
Sir Aldwin nodded and left. I didn't think much of it and continued working on his armor, indulging in the brief proximity, failing to sense his eyes hardening.
He turned his head slowly, his silver eyes landing on me with a sudden, sharp distrust.
"The Sernic," he repeated, the name sounding like a curse on his tongue. I was about to move behind him but he grabbed my wrist. He didn't stop until he was towering over me, his shadow swallowing me whole.
"Listen to me, Ardelle," he hissed, stiffening my whole being to wonder what I did wrong this time.
"The Earl's House is an extremely unsavory place. The place where men like Emerson play with lives as if they were chess pieces."
"I… I understand, My Lord," I whispered, nodding weakly as the strength in my body began to fade away.
"Do you?" He reached out, his leather-clad hand gripping my chin, forcing me to look at the storm in his eyes, tensing me by the amount of distress in his eyes.
"You are not to use your allure there. You are not to wander the halls seeking 'compassion' or 'gentleness' from a man who uses beauty as a hook."
He yanked me forward, causing me to fall on him. The fear began to emerge when his eyes narrowed with discontent.
"If I see you with the Earl, if I find you luring the court with those manipulative tears again, I will not be so lenient." He threatened, letting me go harshly, causing my steps to stumble.
The accusation stung worse than the bandit's blade on my throat.
After the way I had tended his wounds, after the way he had held me in the forest, he still saw me as a predator.
"But... I am loyal to you, My Lord," I whispered, my voice breaking, "I have no desire for the Earl or his court. I only wish to be by your side."
"I don't need your words, woman. Words are the currency of liars."
He turned away, grabbing his cloak and throwing it over his shoulders with a violent snap of fabric. He paused at the tent flap, his silhouette dark against the morning light.
"If you are truly loyal, then prove it. Because in Sernic, I will not be watching the rebels. I will be watching you."
He vanished out into the camp, leaving me standing in the center of the tent. I looked down, gripping my dress with my lips quivering. The realization this was going to be an ultimate test began to frighten me.
If I made the tiniest mistake. I'd pay hell for it.
The warmth of the night was gone. The 'curious kitten' had been put back in her cage, again.
The Sernic Estate was a masterpiece of elegance, eye-catching embellishment and a charm that could attract a wandering ghost too.
As the royal procession rolled through the gates, the gray gloom of the forest was replaced by sun-drenched gardens and the intoxicating scent of blooming flora.
It was too beautiful that I was forced to notice the tiniest detail with awe and admiration while being cautious that I won't praise 'too much'
Earl Emerson stood at the base of the grand staircase, still in his full enticement. He wore cream-colored silk, his eyes crinkling with that familiar, disarming warmth as he stepped forward to greet the King.
"I wholeheartedly welcome My Liege and his parade to my poor estate. Please, this man is at your service, My Liege."
"Dramatic as always." King Alaric chuckled, giving him a nod of approval.
But as the King moved past him, Emerson's focus shifted. He bypassed the armored knights and the scarred soldiers, his gaze locking onto me.
"Lady Ardelle," he murmured, his voice a melodic resonance that seemed to cut through the clatter of horses.
"I see the forest was unkind to your spirit, though it could never tarnish your grace."
From behind his back, he produced a single, vibrant sunflower.
"A piece of the sun for the lady who has lived in the shadows," he said, extending the stem toward me.
I froze. My pulse spiked, and I instinctively looked toward the man standing a few paces behind me.
Lord Kaldric was a statue of obsidian. Though his face remained a mask of discipline, I could feel the heat of his glare burning into the back of my neck.
He didn't move, but the air around him seemed to vibrate with a silent, violent warning.
'Do not take it,' his eyes seemed to hiss. 'Prove your loyalty.'
I pulled my hands back into the folds of my cloak, my throat drying, "I... I cannot, My Lord. I have no need for—"
"Nonsense, Lady Dawnstride," King Alaric interrupted, letting out a booming laugh as he turned back to look at us. He was in a rare, jovial mood, pleased by the luxury of the estate.
"It is a welcoming gesture from our host. Take the flower. Let us have some color in this grim company for once."
The King had spoken. To refuse now was not an act of loyalty to my husband, it was an act of treason against the Crown.
With a trembling hand and a heart heavy with dread, I reached out. My fingers brushed Emerson's as I took the sunflower.
"Th- Thank you, My Lord," I whispered, keeping my head low.
I didn't need to look at Lord Kaldric to know the damage was done.
"A magnificent welcome, Emerson," the King praised, gesturing for the court to follow him inside.
"Your hospitality is, as always, beyond reproach."
Emerson bowed gracefully, his eyes trailing over me with a triumphant shimmer before he addressed the crowd.
"My home is yours, Your Majesty. We have prepared the west wing for the Pillars. My sister has been quite anxious to meet our guest of honor."
Before Lord Kaldric could close the distance to my side, before he could utter the scolding that was clearly boiling behind his teeth, a woman appeared from the shadows of the grand foyer.
She was older than the Earl, with the same golden-brown hair pinned back in a soft, elegant weave.
She wore a dress of pale lilac, and unlike the beauty of the court ladies I had seen before, her face radiated a genuine, quiet sweetness.
"You must be Ardelle,"
She ignored the knights and the protocol, stepping forward to take both of my hands in hers. Her touch was warm and steady.
"I am Lady Olivine of the Sernic. Emerson's elder sister," she introduced herself with a gentle smile.
"My brother has talked of nothing but your bravery during the coup. You look exhausted, dear child. Come, let the men discuss their wars and their maps. I have prepared a bath with rose oils and a room where the sun never leaves."
"But... my husband…" I started, looking back at Lord Kaldric.
Kaldric's hand was halfway to his sword hilt, his silver eyes flashing with a mix of possessiveness and fury. But in the face of Lady Olivine's soft, domestic kindness, he looked out of place.
"The Commander will be occupied with the King's perimeter check for several hours," Emerson interjected smoothly, placing a hand on Lord Kaldric's shoulder.
It was a daring move. Lord Kaldric looked ready to cleave the hand off but swallowed the urge for now.
"Go, Ardelle," Lady Olivine urged, gently pulling me toward the grand staircase.
"Let them be soldiers. For now, you are a guest of Sernic."
I was led away, clutching the sunflower in one hand and Lord Olivine's silk sleeve in the other. As we ascended the stairs, I risked one look back.
Lord Kaldric stood alone in the center of the hall, his black armor a dark stain on the marble floor, watching me disappear into the Sernic's world.