Chapter 136: The Academy Arrangement
"Tell my father I will be taking the young man who saved me to the academy to repay him for saving my life," Helen said, handing the armored knight a sealed letter.
"What if he demands your return, to see your condition?" the knight asked, his weathered face creasing with concern.
"Just hand him the letter. Everything he needs to know is in there. Now go." She dismissed him with an imperious wave, though her eyes flickered toward the young man stood silently beside her, his dark head hung low in apparent humility.
"Pardon my insistence, my lady, but..." The knight hesitated, his hand tightening on his sword hilt. "Would you be taking him in as a servant?" His brow furrowed with suspicion—something wasn’t right about this entire situation, and he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at his chest. At first, he’d suspected she was being controlled, given how bizarre the circumstances were, but with time that thought had faded. Still, something about this young man set his teeth on edge.
"Poltrien." The single word cut through the air like a blade, and the knight realized his mistake immediately.
"My lady," he said, his head bowing low as he clenched his fist.
"GET. THE. LETTER. TO. MY. FATHER." She emphasized each word.
"As you wish, my lady," he replied stiffly. With a sharp click, the door closed behind him.
Helen sighed deeply, stretching across the polished wooden table as she closed her eyes, suddenly looking far older than her years.