10. Consequences
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Axel fell to the floor, blood gushing from his nose.
"Bitch!" he screamed, his voice high-pitched. "You broke my bloody nose!"
"Try to talk dirt on my sister or family again, and you'll see what else I can break," growled Skylar, shaking her hand as her knuckles hurt.
Axel's face contorted, twisting his features into an ugly mask. "You and your family are scums! The sorts like you shouldn't even be allowed to enter the court!" He spat blood when other men helped him back to his feet.
"I see you didn't learn your lesson," Skylar said, taking a step toward him.
Unexpectedly, someone's strong arms grabbed her by the waist and lifted her from the floor, leaving her feet dangling in the air.
"No, you don't!"Gawyn hissed to her ear.
"Let go of me!" Skylar protested, flailing in his arms, but his hold was firm.
He whirled around and put her down. His face was pale, and his grey eyes were throwing daggers at her. "I said enough! Stay back!"
Ironhand was still shouting, his voice echoing in the suddenly silent room. "─outrageous! Never in my life was I treated this way. This bitch should be kept on a leash, I tell you! She and all her family are barbarians, and you'd all be wise to stay away from them!"
"That's enough!" Gawyn's voice was cold and commanding.
Skylar had never seen him like this before.
When she was angry, it was all hot and loud.
But Gawyn seemed to be emanating a deadly cold.
His movements were quick and precise, without any unnecessary flashy gestures.
She missed the moment when he drew his sword and put it to Axel's throat.
The nobleman was shouting one second, and the cold steel was pressed to his neck the next.
"It is the third time you affronted my wife, sir. Watch yourself because if you do it again, I will have no choice but to demand satisfaction. And it will not end up with a bloody nose. Offend her again, and you'll pay with your life. Do you understand?"
The room was deadly silent. Skylar forgot how to breathe for a moment.
She couldn't believe that after everything she did today, Gawyn still had her back.
Suddenly she felt like a complete idiot for putting such an honourable man in this position.
Her face burned, but this time from embarrassment.
All anger just puffed out like a snuffed candle.
Axel raised his hands. "I apologise. I admit I might have been out of line," he said, and his voice was even more high-pitched than before.
"Good." The General sheathed his sword and looked around at all the nobles staring at them.
"Show's over." He turned on his heel and grabbed Skylar's elbow, pulling her with him.
"And you are going home. Right now," he hissed at her.
This time Gawyn didn't bother with pacing his steps down to match hers, so she ended up trotting at his side.
"You can let go of me now," Skylar said when they left the grand ballroom and were crossing the empty hall towards the elevator.
"Not a chance." The General scoffed. "Last time I let you go, you went and punched one of the most prominent nobles. What the hell you've been thinking?"
"He deserved that. He's an arsehole." Sky shrugged.
"Of course, he is. Most people at this party are. But that's not giving you the right to punch them! Violence is hardly ever an answer."
The whole trip down in the elevator passed in oppressing silence. Skylar felt so bad that she couldn't even face him. Gawyn wasn't looking at her either. When they finally reached the ground, he hailed a carriage and pushed her inside.
"Are you not coming?" she asked when he slammed the door shut behind her.
"No. Someone has to clean up your mess first," Gawyn grumbled and walked away.
When the carriage left the palace grounds, Skylar finally let the sob escape her lips.
Kayla brushed Skylar's wet hair after a bath.
"Are you sure you are all right, my lady?" she asked.
Skylar was looking numbly at her reflection. On her way home from the palace, she lost it entirely and cried herself to exhaustion, letting all her piled-up frustrations go. Now, her eyes were red and puffy. She looked awful. "I'll be all right," she replied.
"I take it the party didn't go well?"
"Yes, you could say that."
Before the handmaid could ask anything else, a knock at the door interrupted them.
"Come in," said Skylar, although she was not yet ready to hear another lecture.
Gawyn entered the room. He was still wearing his parade uniform from the party, though he had taken off the jacket already.
Kayla bowed her head and curtseyed. "Lord General."
"Leave us," he commanded and waited until the door closed after the servant.
Skylar crossed her arms, making sure her right hand was concealed well in the crook of an elbow. The General took a spare chair and sat across from her. He was calm and collected now, with no sign of the cold anger from earlier.
"I'm sure you'd be happy to hear that even after your outrageous behaviour, we managed to placate Axel."
Skylar forced herself to look at her husband. His piercing grey eyes focused on her face. He didn't seem angry anymore. Just tired. "I'm glad. And I am sorry. I know I screw up."
Gawyn sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. "You did. And I hope you learnt your lesson. Though I'm afraid I can't tell you it gets any easier from here."
"I know," Skylar said, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
"Anyway, now it is clear to me that I alone can't prepare you to survive the court."
"So, what do we do now?"
"Luckily for us, the Queen got actively involved in smoothing things up after you left. She is outstanding in handling the nobles. She also offered that she'd take you on into her inner circle."
"I don't even know what that means." Skylar hugged herself tighter in preparation for the bad news.
"The Queen always has her entourage with her. It is a custom in Lamyria that the Queen chooses noble ladies of the high social station to accompany her every day during her duties. It's not only a sign of Queen's favour but also an opportunity to learn from the most important woman in the kingdom."
"And she wants me in?" Skylar raised a brow. "Is she mad?"
Gawyn smirked. "I asked her the same thing. But she seemed to be confident that she can help you with... polishing your social skills."
"I see. I guess you are not asking me if I want to do this?"
"Do you have any other solution?" Gawyn said calmly, not taking his eyes off her.
"I don't. I'll do it. I promise I'll do my best."
"Good." Gawyn strengthened his back, and his muscles relaxed visibly. "So, what did he say?"
"Sorry?" Skylar asked, frowning.
"What did Axel say that you ended up punching him?"
"He called Rori a whore." Skylar turned her head away.
"I see. You know, the nobles will use this outburst against you, do you?" said Gawyn quietly. "Now they know where they need to press to get under your skin. You must learn to control your temper better."
"I know."
"I'm glad we agree on something. Now, give me your hand."
Sky looked back at him, raising a brow. "What for?"
"Your hand, please," the General insisted, ignoring her question. His grey eyes showed determination, and she knew he would not let this go.
Skylar moved her left arm.
Gawyn's brow twitched, and his eyes narrowed. "I meant the punching one."
She sighed and hesitantly held out her hand, and he inspected it closely. The knuckles were already swollen and scraped.
"I must admit, that was quite a punch you threw back there," he said with a smirk.
Skylar shrugged. "Girl must know how to protect herself."
"Next time, how about you leave protecting to your husband, hm?" The General took out a small jar from his pocket and opened the lid. "This ointment will help with the swelling and bruising. I can't have you looking like a tavern brawler."
Skylar was surprised by his gentle touch when he rubbed the cold cream into her knuckles. Suddenly she realised she was wearing just her thin nightdress and her cheeks burned. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Think nothing of it." He put the jar on her vanity and let go of her hand. "I'll leave it here. Put it on as often as you need. You should rest now. You will assist the Queen from tomorrow's morning."
"Fine, I will."
"Good night then," the General said, walking to the door.
"Gawyn?" Skylar turned on her chair to look at him.
"Hm?"
"I don't hate you. Not really."
"I know," he said with a small smile. "Sleep well."
Skylar was following the servant through the opulent halls of the palace.
She hadn't seen the living part of the place, but it looked just as luxurious as the official rooms opened for the public.
Thick plush carpets covered the stone floor, and beautiful paintings were decorating the walls.
Skylar fidgeted with her fingers. She wasn't sure what to expect from the Queen.
In the morning, she was greeted by the message that Her Highness was expecting her in her private chambers.
The servant opened a heavy wooden door decorated with plant reliefs. Skylar didn't have time to admire it because the woman invited her inside with the gesture.
The Queen's private day room was even more overwhelming than Skylar imagined.
Fresh flowers adorned every corner, and sculptures and paintings were so numerous that it was clear her Highness was an ardent supporter of the art.
Skylar kept her elbows tightly pressed to her sides, fearing she could break something.
"Skylar, my dear! I'm glad you could make it!" said the Queen appearing in another doorway that must have led to the bedroom. She was wearing a simple dressing robe, and her fair hair was let loose, flowing gracefully down her waist.
"Your Highness." Skylar curtseyed.
"I told you to address me Elinora, when it's just us. And you can relax. I just wanted to have a little chat with you today. Come, let me offer you some coffee first."