Chapter 6: Quite the character (2)
"How long do you intend to stay? Did you leave your bags at the door?" Rafael asked as it wouldn't be the first time she did it.
There was always the excuse of her carriage wheel suddenly breaking, a tree mysteriously falling and blocking the road, or his father leaving his mother behind and forgetting to pick her up. Beatrice had a habit of leaving her bags somewhere around the house and then revealing them once she got permission to stay.
"My son returned from a long adventure so why wouldn't I come to spend at least one night with you? Please," Beatrice innocently smiled. As long as she pleaded with him, she got her way, and would most likely be spending the night here. "I want to be closer to you."
"You live four houses away from me," Rafael replied, reminding her how close she was already.
"Your training grounds are large, and there are a lot of fields between those estates," Beatrice corrected him. Those four homes felt like four towns away. If not for wanting to give Rafael some space, she would build a new house on one of the fields to be closer.
It was only when Rafael went on long trips around the kingdom that Beatrice wanted to spend the night at his home. Seeing Rafael for a few hours was not enough to ease her mind that he had returned home safe and sound. Rafael would always hide when he injured his hand or foot, and the only way she would learn of it was by watching him.
Annalise returned to the dining room with a jug of fresh orange juice made by the cook. She was told it was something Beatrice would enjoy. Annalise looked back and forth between mother and son, hoping she did not miss out on anything important.
Annalise needed to hear about Rafael's travels, but more importantly, she needed to hear about his future plans. What was the King assigning him next and why was the Duke sending Rafael a letter?
"Your juice," Annalise smiled as she neared Beatrice. As long as she stuck close to Beatrice, she would find out all that she needed to know. "Is there anything else I can get for the two of you-"