Chapter 172
“Yes.” Barden was blushing. It appeared he had a secret to share but was also apprehensive to reveal it. Athyst wasn’t sure how to proceed. He had said he wanted to et her, so was this person he spoke of is soone close to her?
“Is the person you speak of soone related to ?” she asked.
“Yes,” Barden looked around wildly to make sure no one had heard. His face was now a bright crimson.
Athyst couldn’t think of who it would be. She thought of the possibilities – Lunia, Roman. But she had no idea where they would have t Barden.
“I can’t guess who it is,” Athyst said, giving up.
“It’s soone close to you, but I’m not going to tell you who it is. I just wanted to et you and the duke. That’s why I picked the family. So, will you pick up the sword? If it’s ok, I’d like to teach you a few techniques.”
“Sure! It’s not like there is anyone else here to teach right now.”
“The knights are relieved for a rest period between the appointnt ceremony and the welcoming ceremony,” Barden explained.
“Really? I didn’t know that.” Athyst felt sorry that she wasn’t allowing Lunia to have a break. “Could I ask you to check my posture?”
“Certainly. The first thing I noticed, when I ca in, is you raise your arms too high. It’s a weak defense and if your opponent it stronger, he will break through your block.” Barden corrected Athyst’s form and then had her going through the various posture, correcting them one at a ti.
***
“Lunia, go rest now!” Athyst commanded.
“Pardon? What do you an by rest?” Lunia wasn’t sure where this demand was coming from.
“I’ve heard it’s a rest period for the knights until the welcoming ceremony. Why didn’t you tell ?”
“Right now, I’m your assistant, not a knight.”
“You were a division commander before that!”
“That’s all right. I have nothing to do, anyways,” Lunia said.
“It’s not all right. It’s your vacation until the welcoming ceremony! Rest!”
“No. There’s a lot to prepare still, for the welcoming ceremony,” The servant protested.
“I’ll take care of all that, so don’t worry,” Athyst assured her.
“Ma’am, how are you going to take care of all of it? You only have Roman as a maid. I don’t have to rest long. I’ll just relax for half a day.”
“No! Rest for at least five days,” Athyst was insistent.
“I refuse!”
“Then, four days! I can’t do anything lower.” Athyst couldn’t believe they were bargaining about relaxing.
“I’ll rest for a day. I can’t do more.” This had beco a battle of wills, and Lunia was the stronger of the two.
“Really, Lunia? How could you? If anyone heard about this, they would curse for being a bad employer!” Athyst was clearly getting upset.
“Fine. I’ll think about it, if you look after all of my duties while I rest for four days.” Lunia knew that Athyst hadn’t thought this through. She could see the look on Athyst’s face as realization set in about how much Lunia actually does.
“Fine! I’ll… do it,” Athyst said, with much trepidation.
“Ma’am, you’re planning on procrastinating and then giving it to after four days, aren’t you?” Lunia knew Athyst too well.
Athyst laughed hesitantly. She had been caught. “No,” she lied.
“It’s harder to do it all after four days. From my perspective.” Lunia wanted to make her feel guilty.
“But the other knights are all resting.” Athyst was out of excuses.
“Fine. I’ll rest for two days and co back.” Lunia could tell this wouldn’t end unless she compromised.
“Ok, two days!” Athyst agreed.
After kicking Lumia out, Athyst sat on the sofa and thought about the newly recruited knight, Barden.
Soone he like in the duke’s household? Soone close to her? Athyst wondered who it was. Probably Lunia, who else was closer? Since both Lunia and Barden were, knights they could have t before. How much could a man sought after a woman that he would refuse the honour of being a royal guard and co here? It must be more than lust, it must be love. Athyst let out a small giggle, thinking of this mystery.
“What’s so funny?” Athyst jumped. Alexcent was peering down at her from over the back of the sofa.
“When did you co in?” Athyst asked.
“Just now. What were you thinking about so deeply that you didn’t notice coming in?”
“That’s none…!” Athyst looked at Alexcent with an interesting and surprising thought. Why did I think it was only a woman that Barden could love? Athyst realized. ‘I just wanted to et you and the duke. That’s why I picked the family,’ that’s what he said. Alec is the only one who’s the closest to .Everything fits perfectly!It has to be Alec! Unfortunately for Barden, Alec isn’t gay.
For so reason, Athyst felt sorry for Barden. If what she thought was true, she would be sad to see his heart break.
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