Chapter 165: Tense
"Sir, aren’t maids supposed to be chosen by the head maid?" Irene asked when the Duchess was certainly far from the room by that point. "I learned recently that she is free to make those sorts of decisions."
"Has the Duchess ever done anything by the rules or with consideration for anyone else?" Gunnar snapped.
"Gunnar," Sven spoke in a warning tone. "If she heard you speaking like that..."
"Forgive me," the oldest knight quickly apologized.
He didn’t take Sir Sven’s words as insubordination, but as a necessary way to remind him of the situation he was in.
"I merely worry that we are a bit lacking in knights already, and it doesn’t seem as if His Majesty is interested in moving forward with knighting any of our apprentices thus far," Sven explained with a sigh. "We can’t afford to lose another—much less one of our best." He then turned towards Sir Eitan. "Forgive me for comments about His Majesty."
"Water under the bridge," the knight responded. "Considering my cousin’s treatment of the north lately, I can’t quite say I blame you. Whatever is said in this room stays inside."
There was a pause as Gunnar considered both of the knights’ words.
"Apprentices," he addressed the others in the room. "I’m going to ask for something uncharacteristic of my usual orders."