Chapter 9 #2
“He’s not complained,” I said.
“Good,” he said. “Right. I’m here to apologize for my behavior.”
“You’re-? No,” I remarked. “No. You have not-”
“I was out of line,” he said coldly. “You have authority over me; I thank you for reminding me of my station. You wish that I remain at that distance, I shall heed to it.”
“Heed the distance?” I cried, though his face did not wear the same way mine did. “Please, I don’t want that!”
A loud, “Ow!” erupted from somewhere, twisting my attention. I was certain Cyrus had been maimed, but when I discovered it was the Prince’s cry, I breathed. The moment was not lost upon my knight; he watched me with careful eyes, eyes I tried to evade by shaking my focus.
Sam shook out his hand, angry at first. The line of his jaw hardened, but by the time he went to reach for his sword, he was grinning and at the end of Cyrus’s.
“Always keep your eye on the opponent,” Mr. Evergreen told him. “A moment can make the difference between life and death.” He lowered his weapon.
The men exchanged bows, and Sameer conceded, throwing his blade into a mound of hay.
“Aye, then,” he exhaled heavily. He found me for support. “Now you see why I employ this one.”
“He’s very good,” I called, clapping. “Well done. Both of you.”
Sam’s excitement rerouted from Cyrus to me. Unfazed by his loss, he crossed the short space, planted his feet determinedly in front of mine, and smiled at my knight.
“Ser,” he said. “Princess,” he said softer.
My eyes narrowed. “Your Highness? Whom I have already greeted?”
“I’d given it some thought,” he said. “And it is a lovely day. So lovely that I’m sure you’ll join me for a stroll anyway?”
“I will?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said. “And you’re invited as well, Ser.”
“A… stroll?” I repeated.
“Yes, love. Seeing as you’ve gone out of your way to find me today, I can give you an hour,” he said. “That….sounded better in my head. I’m afraid our little fight got my blood boiling. I apologize for my rudeness. I meant, would you still join me, please?”
Elías glanced between us. “I’m not much of an outdoorsman, though I’m happy to leave Her Highness with you, sir.”
I glowered. “Oh, he’s joking,” I said, but Elías shook his head.
“I’m not, and I trust Her Highness to be left alone, anyway.”
“Grand,” I said. I shot daggers at his face.
“Yes! It is grand!” Sam cheered. “Alright. Right… Could I freshen up for you, Svana?” He beamed. “Svana. Beautiful, elegant Svana. I’ll be right back. I’ll meet you right here.”
“Are we-?” I paused. “Wait. We’re going on a stroll? Did I agree?”
“Yes,” Sam said. “Of course you did, love.”
“A-Are we not going to invite M-Mr. Evergreen? It seems very rude not to. He’s right there.”
Mr. Evergreen cackled. “Oi. I am tragically uninterested and very busy.”
“Busy?” I croaked.
“Yes,” he replied. “Oh well. Enjoy.”
I wanted to yell at him. Cyrus cocked a brow at me like he had impressed himself somehow.
“Wait a moment,” I said, but no one waited.
Evergreen shook his head and picked up the Prince’s discarded sword. He rolled his neck as he headed back into the stables.
Sam patted my shoulder for it. “Don’t mind him, he’s sore he almost lost. I’ll return shortly, my love,” he said. Then he was gone.
I collected my hands.
“I see you and the Prince are getting on well,” said Elías.
“Are you very serious?” I chose.
“Always,” he returned. His eyes traveled toward the open barn.
“Suddenly, you trust me alone with men?” I asked.
“I’m only following your instruction, Your Highness,” he said.
“Bloody hell,” I muttered.
“Language.”
“I can’t believe this,” I said. “You’ve ruined my plot.”
“No, I’ve created a better opportunity,” he said. He pointed to the stables. “I’m far too busy for a stroll, remember? I need to walk away now, and in my absence, you’ll pursue Mr. Evergreen. See?”
I looked at him. “You won’t stand here until the Prince returns, to tell me to behave?” I asked.
“No.”
“No?” I asked.
“No. But I’ll be right around the corner here should you need me. Scream loudly.”
“S-Scream loudly?” I asked.
He shrugged and then took a step back as I watched, before turning and walking away.
I had expected him to follow Cyrus into the stalls himself, to glare at or bully him, but he didn’t, and that bothered me. It left me feeling a weird sort of emptiness, like my gloomy mentor had abandoned his ever-watchful, annoyingly painful effort to shield me from rakes over a little fight.
“Eli?” I asked, but he was out of earshot.
I stood for as long as I could, but failed what must have been his test, hurrying into the barn.
“Mr. Evergreen!” I called, but when I found him, he wouldn’t slow down and coursed through the room, incredibly fast. “Mr. Evergreen?” I asked a second time.
He leaned the wooden swords against the wall and collected a bag from off the ground. When I appeared behind him, he sighed loudly.
“Is there something I can help you with, Princess?” he asked.
“You won’t come with us?” I asked.
“I have much to do,” he said.
“I see,” I said, nodding. “I see. I see. Alright,” I started, annoyed. “Then I was correct to trust my worries, as you’ll have it. Farewell then, Mr. Evergreen.” I whirled back around, stomping toward the door.
“Enjoy your afternoon,” he said.
“You enjoy yours!” I cried, spinning back.
“Oh, I will!” he dared. “I shall enjoy it very much without you!”
“Good!” I said. Suddenly, I was very aware of how mad I was; I was very aware of how close to puking I was. “You know what?” I shook my head. “I hope you don’t enjoy it! I hope it rains, and whatever plans you had this afternoon are ruined!”
“Rain would ruin your plans, too, Princess.” He rolled his eyes. “And Sameer’s!”
“Not if it only rains over you!” I jabbed my finger in his face.
“Only over—That’s ridiculous! You’re ridiculous! I won’t be the one walking outside in everlasting joy, probably holding hands!”
“Everlasting joy? Holding hands? Are you serious? What’s ridiculous is thinking you would be happy to see me this morning!”
He tilted to one side, replaying the words and adjusting the strap against his arm. Eyes narrow and cooling, tempering with a step, he said, “Happy?”
“Yes,” I said, then shifted to control the rise and fall of my facade, dropping my eyes toward something else. “I’ve since come to my senses, sir. Don’t you fret.”
Sam called my name from outside the barn, and I took a ragged, embarrassing breath. I went to go, but Cyrus caught my sleeve, stopping me.
“You came to see Sameer,” he said.
“Sameer?” I scoffed.
“Svana?” We heard again. “Where did you wander off to? Are we playing Hide and Seek?”
“I’m in here,” I called back.
My Sword took on a peculiar look, lowering his voice. “You told him you missed him.”
“I was speaking to you,” I said.
“By way of the Prince?” he asked.
“Yes, by way of the Prince. How else? You think I could say ‘Oh, how I miss you, my dear Mr. Evergreen,’ right in front of him? I was speaking to you through him!” I said.
“But that’s fine, it’s fine! I’ve actually just spent all night devising ways to see you, apparently, to humiliate myself, but it’s fine.
So thank you, sir, for bringing me to my senses before my distress was made too public. ”
“Ah ha!” Sam chuckled as he poked his head into our room and pointed to the Blade. “Oh, pray. Leave the poor man alone. He said he was busy, Princess,” he said.
“Sam,” Cyrus said. He swallowed. “Hey.”
“I’m sorry she must haunt you like this, friend,” Sam said. “She means well. Svana likes to include us all in her plans, I find.”
“Svana isn’t a bother,” he replied. He met my eyes intently. “I’m sorry,” he said suddenly. “Her Highness is not a bother.”
I straightened.
Sam placed his hand on Evergreen’s shoulder. A sly rise to the corner of his mouth came next. “Do I detect a bit of warming to Her Highness?” he asked.
“No, I’m certain he still hates me,” I hurried.
Sam laughed. “Right,” he said. “I don’t know. I know my friend, that’s for sure.” He proudly beamed between us. “I think you might be on your way to friendly,” he said.
“I do—”
Mr. Evergreen exhaled, but nodded. “Maybe.”
Sam flashed his teeth. “Most excellent!” He smiled for me. “Is that not most excellent news, my love?”
“I’m not sure I’d say we’re friends, Sam,” Cyrus said. He smirked. “But we are… something, I suppose.”
“I’ll take it!” Sam cried. “Wonderful. Just wonderful. What a wonderful day. You ought to barge in more often, then, Princess.”
“Elías?” I called, but he didn’t appear.
Sam chuckled. “He said he wasn’t coming, remember?”
“Right,” I said.
“Are you ready?” he asked. He offered me his arm. Cordially, I took it, though I felt horrid that Mr. Evergreen should see it happen.
He said, “Enjoy your walk,” calmly.
“You’re sure you don’t wish to come?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I could think of anything else. I’ll see you tomorrow for our ride if you’re still keen on going?”
“I’m keen,” I said.
He bowed.
Sam moved us toward the door. “Let’s explore our garden, shall we?” he asked.
“Our garden?” I said.
“Aye. You know, Mr. Evergreen tells me your father gave your mother roses for their wedding night. I think that’s quite the gesture, don’t you?”
“I suppose,” I said.
“I’ll admit, I don’t have any now, but if you might find something to replace, I’m happy to make room for them,” he explained. “In fact, let’s walk the entirety of the gardens and see what you love and hate. I’ll make a list.”