Chapter 170
The new knights that would be receiving appointnt letters looked nervous compared to the seasoned knights. Athyst and Alec stood at the front, waiting to greet the knights. Gen made his way to the front of the stage, as he would be the master of the ceremonies.
Athyst nodded greetings to Sir Hill, Leyrian, and Buer, who all stood at attention and were the signs of professionalism.
As she scanned the soldiers, her eyes fell on Lunia who was wearing a uniform and standing between the division commanders. Lunia’s eyes t hers and she responded with a funny smile. Lunia was a tenth division commander. That’s how she knew so much about the new knights. She wasn’t just an assistant. Lunia definitely hid this fact to surprise her. Athyst replied with a ‘you got ’ smile.
As the ceremony went on, Athyst slowly looked over the knights one by one, greeting them with a nod if her eyes t anyone’s. She could feel soone watching her. Scanning the crowd her eyes the one Lunia ntioned – Sir Barden Crenson.
Why does he keep looking at ? Does he know ? She tried to avoid looking at him, but his gaze continued to stay on her. It felt awkward. It was beginning to bother her, so she shifted her focus to Alec. Her body began to calm as she looked into her husband’s eyes.
Alexcent mouthed the word ‘What?’ and his face showed concern. Athyst nodded slightly to let him know that she was all right.
Gen’s quick progress through the appointnt letter presentation ended with the greetings from the duke and duchess. The new knights stood in front of Alexcent and Athyst the mont their nas were announced.
“Barden Crenson!” Gen called.
Crenson? The na nagged at Athyst’s mind once more. Marquis Crenson!My god!Barden Crenson was the man that I had almost been promised to in marriage!Athyst rembered her father talking about the family as he planned an arranged marriage. She hadn’t known his na, but her father had ntioned it was Marquis Crenson’s second child, so it must be him. That’s why he was staring at her. He knew her. So why did he co to be a knight with the duke? Barden’s never t her and doesn’t know her na.
As Athyst was lost in her thoughts, she could hear herself being addressed. She refocused and realized Lunia was trying to get her attention.
“Hand! Give him your hand!” Lunia was hissing from the side.
Smiling foolishly, Athyst held out her hand tentatively. Barden kneeled, as was proper, and kissed the back of her outstretched hand. Then he returned to his original post.
The rest of the knights were called upon in succession, greeting Alexcent and kissing the back of Athyst’s hand. Alexcent’s mood seed to darken after every kiss, and she could see the pinnacle of jealousy by the last. The knights could sense his mood and beca nervous as they didn’t know why. There was a general unease amongst them when the ceremony was over. The knights disappeared as quickly as they could.
Athyst caught up with Lunia, before she left. “Lunia! How could you?”
Lunia laughed. “Were you surprised?”
“Of course! My goodness, you’re a knight!”
“It’s an interlock. With the assistant position.”
“That’s not just an interlock!” Athyst couldn’t believe how humble Lunia was being. “Division commander! Why didn’t you tell ? You should’ve told when I was training!”
“There was no reason too, at the ti. Even though I’m a division commander, my skill is the lowest. The Duke and Chief Commander Hill are teaching you personally, so why would I butt in?”
“I wouldn’t have wanted to learn from Alec or Sir Hill. I would have liked to learn from you. I’m really disappointed.” Athyst was putting Lunia on. She figured, since Lunia tricked her, she would trick Lunia.
“Huh?! Ma’am, please forgive ,” Lunia started protesting.
Athyst ignored her pleading and continued. “I guess my skill was so pitiful, that you didn’t want to have anything to do with .”
“No. That’s a misunderstanding!”
“I had such hard ti learning from Alec who has no skill in teaching.”
“Ma’am, I’m sorry!” Lunia didn’t know what else to say, as she watched Athyst begin to tear up. Then the tears turned to giggles.
“What’s so funny?” Alexcent asked, having joined the ladies.
“I’m ssing with Lunia,” Athyst said, laughing harder.
“Ma’am!” Lunia realized that she’d been played and gave Athyst a look of resentnt.
“Is today’s schedule over?” Athyst asked
“Yes,” Lunia replied, still recovering from the joke that had been played on her.
“Well then, Sir Lunia, I’ll see you later.” Athyst gave her a mocking salute.
“Of course. Ma’am,” Lunia replied, through gritted teeth.
Athyst and Alexcent, leaving Lunia behind, grasped hands and head off to the Duke’s Mansion.
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