Chapter 319: Beloved
After the Duke met with the advisors, everything seemed to return to normal. The maids and knights seemed more relaxed, but what remained were the beautiful tapestries and organization of the gardens, which had been done quickly for the nobles who presided over the lands that made up Chemois.
It turned out that Irene’s father didn’t attend, and it was just as she had already suspected. He was simply disinterested in getting involved in politics and having to pick a side when all he wanted to do with the rest of his days was protect his lands and teach his son how to one day take over for him.
Many times in the girl’s life, people wondered if she was hurt that her parents had chosen Arne over her to be the heir to everything. However, what most didn’t know was that it was she who pushed her family to this decision. She was the one who stopped all lessons regarding the lordship of an estate and lands. Instead, the noble path was carved for her as a knight. She could be a lady of an estate one day if she really wanted and if the Duke and King allowed her as such, but, for now, she was satisfied being a knight. Just as Sven, Gunnar, and Phillip before her, they seemed happy with the lives they led.
Most mornings during the early summer, the Knights of Hydrogia were the ones who were going up into the foothills to look out for monsters. Everyone was always very appreciative of all they had done for them. Rather than eating and lodging for free and simply because they were friends with Chemois’ Duke, they pulled their weight and put in hard work.
Irene was starting to get used to this routine. She would return from the night patrol and help with practices. By then, they would eat breakfast with the Knights of Hydrogia, who would soon go off and into the foothills. They would take a meal with them so they wouldn’t be seen until the afternoon.
Only in the evening would they all reconvene once more, and everyone would share their days with one another. Of course, Irene and the others on night patrol were only waking up at this time, but it was a nice way to begin her day of wandering through the darkness while occasionally checking on the apprentices who kept the highest vantage point.
A few days after the advisors left, there was a different feeling in the Duke’s Tower, and while Irene was on her way into the tower to eat her morning meal, she came across Sir Alix, who looked a bit somber.
"Is everything alright, sir?" she asked him.
Alix’s expression softened as he regarded the woman for a few moments. He had already spoken to Sir Felix, but he knew he could entrust the news to the third in command as well. Henry had said as much that he trusted her, even if they weren’t close to one another.
"Commander Lothian has spoken of more monsters than usual on the other side of the Eastern Mountains towards Idona," Alix explained. "Considering the floodplains are most likely clear by now, I believe it’s time for those in my order to return to our duties south. Unlike in Chemois, we don’t have monster activity like this, so it’s worth looking into for us."