The Four Swords

Chapter 132: At Least Someone is Happy

The door slowly closed leaving Gella and myself in the light of the fading sun together. Her smile warmed.

"Thank you for helping me with my delivery," She started, then bit her lip. I wonder if she did that often. It was remarkably attractive.

"Hold, I mean Lord Holden," She began, once again forgetting my title. Old habits are hard to break.

"When it is just us, I do not mind if you call me Holden. It is my name afterall." I tried to ease some of her burden of having to change my rank when she knew me much longer as just myself.

"Thank you. That is very gracious. Can I dare to ask a little more of you?" Gella probed with a shy smile.

I threw on what I thought was a dashing grin. I am not sure any of it could be seen in the dimming twilight, but it was worth a shot to try and be charming.

"How might I be of service?" I asked as I offered her my arm on the way back to the clock shop. She took it hesitantly.

The blonde beauty bit her lip once more. I hope she did not injure herself with the frequency of the task.

"Did you... I mean, could you... would you?" She stopped and took a deep breath before turning her face away from me. I guess her question was harder to ask while she looked my way.

"What I long to ask is almost improper, but my curiosity has gotten the better of me." Gella rounded out her thoughts with another deep breath.

I could be an open book for the right question. Especially for such a lovely and long time family friend.

"Please do not answer this if it would break any confidences you might share with those in the upper echelon," my companion patted my arm reassuringly. "Did you know of Sir Carrion's intentions today at court?"

This topic must be of great interest to her. Maybe it was not just the young courtiers who always had romance on the mind. Maybe the entire city was just a few breaths away from orating the newest love story of the century.

"I had heard of his intentions, but I had hoped they had been dissuaded," I offered honestly.

"Dissuaded? Who might want to stop young love?" Gella thought for a moment before she continued. "I suppose that Lord Bleddyn might have had some objections, considering he was not present for the proposal."

"He did not even know Carrion intended to propose." I mumbled under my breath to myself. I guess I was audible since Gella stopped in her tracks.

"Oh!" squeaked out of the blonde before continuing our pace.

"Please do not repeat that. I should not have said it." This is another reason I prefer the wilderness. Trees cannot repeat stupid things I say.

"Of course," Gella responded without hesitation."But that does lead me to one more question if you might allow it."

She turned to look at me again. I hope she has found another topic. I nodded my consent to be asked another probably embarrassing gossip question.

"Why did you not stand up to defend Sir Carrion's proposal?" Gella's tone was almost flat, as if she tried to sound disinterested in her own question. This entire city is filled with hopeless romantics.

"It was not within the scope of my duty to do so. I was not addressed. I was not the petitioner." That was the simplest answer.

"I thought the Swordsman served the entire country. I would think that anyone in need falls under your duty." Gella no longer hid her tone with a hint of disdain for my answer.

"I do not think it was Sir Carrion that needed rescuing today." I said lightly. Maybe a bit too lightly as I tried to return to the carefree walk I thought we should be having.

"I agree. I think Princess Alina might have also benefited from your gallantry. But propriety always comes first, does it not?" My companion almost scoffed.

"Actually, rarely does that come first for me. ." I began but did not know how to explain.

"Really?" Gella was a skeptic. I just let her call me outside of my title. That must prove something.

"Let's just say that I supported the Queen's decision today and leave it at that." Maybe I could save the evening. I added a light chuckle.

"Maybe your vows to the queen prevented you from intervening. I hope your loyalty is to the entire country and not just one person," Gella's tone darked.

Perchance she thought I was making fun of her instead of trying to lighten the conversation. Whatever the reason, it struck an invisible wound for me.

I stopped walking as we were not far from my steps or her door. Since her arm linked through mine, momentum carried her to almost face me. I saw the shock in her wide eyes as it glinted in what was left of the daylight.

"I have vowed to protect this country and its people, within my clan or otherwise, with my life. I do not think my loyalty should be called into question. If I do ever pledge my loyalty to one person, my wife will never see me break that promise." My eyes did not leave hers.

Gella dropped her hand from my elbow, using it to adjust her shawl to better wrap her shoulders. I could not tell in the dim light or from her blank stare if I frustrated, shocked or bemused the young lady, but I think I was somewhere in that area.

"Goodnight, Lord Holden," She said, emphasizing my title and giving an unnecessary curtsy. She opened the door to the clock shop and closed it with fervor.

I heaved a sigh before heading up the stairs, remembering this time to skip the third step. I walked in the door to find my brother staring through the window with a table set for dinner behind him.

"Gella, huh?" Benate jabbed my ribs with his elbow.

"I will name you one of our clan's champions in the next tournament if you do not say another word on the matter," I offered as I slumped into one of his dining table chairs.

"Done!" Benate said as he took up the opposite seat.

At least one of us could dine happily.