Chapter 511: Settling Down
At the Commander’s angry tone, all the knights and apprentices in the room stood up suddenly. However, Irene wondered for a moment why she was the one feeling in trouble. She could only stiffly remain in her seat as she heard her husband’s footsteps approach from behind her.
Her eyes remained on Phillip as he pathetically responded, "No, Commander."
"So then why would you think it’s an appropriate question for the future Duchess of Tenetium?" Henry asked. "Is it because you’ve grown too comfortable around my wife, or do you have no respect for my title?"
At Irene squirming, wondering if she ought to stand up like the others, she felt Henry’s hand on her shoulder, keeping her seated.
Perhaps it was also she who was too comfortable with the others because for someone to suggest she was pregnant already was a glimpse into the newlyweds’ bedroom. For the Sünstoian people, it might be more of an acceptable question, but in Peroda, it was more forbidden.
Irene had gotten used to men talking to her like a man. She needed to be more on guard now that she was a married woman.
"I apologize, Commander," Phillip quickly stated, having no answer for the questions fielded to him.
"Apologize to her, not me," Henry responded.
Henry gently squeezed Irene’s shoulder as he sidestepped and sat down at the head of the table. His gaze burned into Phillip until he spoke.
"Irene, please forgive me," Phillip said. "It was an insensitive comment regardless of anything else."
"Please be considerate in the future," Irene stated simply. "Sit down."
Satisfied enough with the conversation, Henry gestured for the maids to begin serving his men. There was no need to put off the celebratory dinner any longer. It was supposed to be a joyous event and not start off like this.
He was feeling rather protective, but he hoped it didn’t bother Irene.
As the food came out, conversations began again, and people were starting to talk a bit more freely. A weight had slowly lifted as the knights were starting to eat.
Irene was pleased by the dark meat and sauce alongside rolls and wild rice that she was given. The maids at the Duke’s Tower buttered and seasoned the rice best out of anyone she had ever known.
For the first time since Henry entered the dining hall, Irene was able to spare him a glance and a small smile. Her boot knocked against his in silent thanks for his protection, assuring him that she wasn’t upset about it.
She thought he looked rather handsome in his navy blue tunic lined with gold thread. His effort on his appearance made her wonder if he was thinking similarly to her about the evening.
When Phillip wasn’t listening and was involved in another conversation, Felix couldn’t help commenting, "There will be many adjustments for the knights now that the two of you are married, I’m sure."
"Fortunately, I was aware of this before we were married," Irene admitted. "Henry has already expressed so many worries about how complicated he has made my life."
Irene faintly grinned. She was joking, of course.
"I fear that it’s only just the beginning," Henry admitted after a sip of his own ale. "The next hurdle will be seeking the King’s permission."
Felix was quick to his friend’s defense as he added, "Who better for the Duke of Tenetium to marry than a seasoned knight and daughter of a world famous knight? She was trained alongside her brother to be an heir to a lordship. She gave it up for knighthood, but her schooling shouldn’t go to waste."
"I learned those things nearly ten years ago," Irene admitted. "My brother stepped forward to take my place when I became a knight and has firsthand experience now."
However, another was listening in on the conversation.
"As tough as you are, you’ve helped with clerical work in the past," Gunnar reminded Irene. "You often handle the organization of the apprentices in both their daily schedules and making sure they have the supplies they need. The duchy would benefit with you as its head, especially compared to the late Duchess."
Irene knew that her cheeks were blushing. She had to shake her head as she finished the last of her ale.
"Thank you," she said to Gunnar. "That’s enough. Only the King can decide this much now."
"I will see to it that it’s done," Henry assured everyone. "It isn’t as if he can put someone else at my side."
"I’ll cheers to that," Felix insisted as he raised his ale. "To our future Duchess."
Since Irene couldn’t go on with an empty cup, she gestured for a maid and whispered, "Watered down ale, please."
The drink was delivered just in time for her to raise her mug as well with the others who had joined along.
As much as she had her own reservations of taking on such a prestigious title, she knew that there was no use in resisting the inevitable. She knew Henry would make sure that it was hers one day so that they could remain one another’s.
"Does that mean there will be a wedding in the capital one day?" Sven asked the pair.
Irene glanced at Henry before she slowly nodded.
"To be accepted by His Majesty, he’s the one who has to officiate according to kingdom law," Irene answered. "I suppose that means the knights want to go to Hydrogia?"
There were many different knights cheering in response to that. They were all seasoned travelers by that point, and going to the southern part of the kingdom over the mountains was an adventure. They all wanted to participate.
However, the more the others drank, there were two who started to get quiet. Since Irene wasn’t drinking, it seemed that Henry had stopped as well.
He leaned towards his wife. "Would you like to turn in early?" he asked quietly enough for only her to hear.
His breath against her neck and ear made her have to conceal a shiver.