Chapter 72 - Seventy Two
Sunlight streamed through the ornate windows of Ryan’s study, illuminating the stacks of maps and reports sprawled across his desk. Ryan, his brow furrowed in concentration, leaned over a parchment, scribbling notes with a quill. Across from him sat Thorne.
"We leave the day after tomorrow, then," Thorne confirmed, his voice gruff but steady.
Ryan nodded, his gaze momentarily flickering away from the document. "Yes, we can’t waste any time. These reports are disturbing, to say the least."
Thorne leaned back in his chair, his tired face etched with concern. "Indeed."
A brief silence settled over the room, broken only by the scratching of quill on paper. Ryan’s hand, however, hovered slightly above the document, a flicker of worry clouding his eyes.
"The Duchess," Thorne finally started, noticing the shift in Ryan’s demeanor. "Should I arrange additional security at her residence during your absence?"
Ryan’s gaze drifted out the window, where the lush greenery of the castle gardens beckoned. "She’s been having nightmares lately," he murmured. "Mentions missing her family. I think a change of scenery might do her good."
"So?"
"So," Ryan continued, forcing a nonchalant tone, "I’ll drop her off at her father’s manor before we leave. She can stay with them until I return."
A bead of sweat trickled down Ryan’s temple, a stark contrast to the coolness of the morning air. Thorne, his gaze unwavering, saw the anxiety simmering beneath the surface.
"You’re sweating, Your Grace," he pointed out, his voice laced with concern. "Are you sure everything’s alright?"