CHAPTER 412: THE COMMANDER’S GUARD DOG

Irene knew that what she was doing wasn’t right. She had just witnessed the captain clumsily finish the match because of his hotheadedness, yet she was there doing the same thing.

However, she truly believed it would be better that she defend the Commander because he wouldn’t defend himself most of the time anyway. Those observing wouldn’t say much about her being an emotional woman and would only confirm their biases, while he would look like it got to him if he spoke up for himself.

Perhaps a bit of her also felt repentance for the way she had behaved towards him. The hug. The avoidance. All of it wasn’t right.

Irene felt the Commander’s hand on her shoulder plate, and she gasped, realizing she should stand down, but the anger did not entirely cease.

"You don’t have to defend me," the Commander quietly insisted.

"I have to because you won’t defend yourself, Commander," she snapped, although quietly.

"Train your guard dogs better, Your Grace," the captain stated in irritation before stepping away to join his knights.

By that point, all Irene could do was glare at the man as he retreated. She knew it got to him because his pale ears were even redder than when he was sparring with the Commander. That would have to be satisfying enough for her.

She noticed that the Commander hadn’t taken his hand off of her shoulder. Her heart was racing miserably, even though she knew he didn’t mean anything by it.

"Men like that don’t deserve the title of knight," Felix insisted from behind Irene. "It was a good match, Commander."

At that, Henry pulled his hand away. Irene felt more relieved as she stepped closer to Felix instead. As if he were a buffer so she wouldn’t have to face the Commander. She knew how confusing she was being.

"All I know is that my knights outperformed other knights in their own home," Henry responded and shrugged. "It’s enough for me. Now let’s relax a bit before we’re required in the banquet hall. The rest of the time is yours to do whatever you please."

The apprentices were able to retreat towards the exit closest to the barracks. They were most interested in exploring the Earl’s home the same way Irene, Felix, and Leif did when they were that age. The memories caused Irene to wear a slightly sad smile as she retreated towards the Earl’s expansive estate herself, but she wasn’t feeling very social and hung back, walking slower than the others.

She truly needed to get a grip on herself. He would know so easily that she was fond of him if she couldn’t control herself the way she had been in his presence.

However, there was someone walking even slower than her. She heard him clear his throat before he caught up to her.

She felt pathetic even recognizing his walk as he moved forward. Just how much had she studied him without realizing?

"Does it not bother you that I’m part mage?" Henry asked. "Be honest with me."

Irene stopped in her path forward, her green eyes set on the Commander for a few moments before her reddish eyebrows lowered.

So it’s true. He is a mage.

But she didn’t find herself being put off by this fact.

"Why would I care?" she asked.

He seemed surprised by her response.

"His Majesty took my mother and aunt into custody upon finding out that they were part mage," he explained. "My mother and I only just found that out. It isn’t uncommon for people to be resistant towards things they don’t understand."

She searched his face for more. Why did he care what she thought of him? She only had good thoughts about him; that was the problem.

"It doesn’t bother me. You accept me. I accept you," she explained.

Perhaps she needed him to verify that as well. She was speaking to pacify herself rather than him, she realized. How selfish could she be?

"Thank you for saying that, Irene," the Commander responded, accompanied by a nod. "If you would excuse me, I ought to start getting ready for this evening. I look forward to seeing you tonight."

He gave her a smile that reached his eyes, and she found herself a bit stupefied.

"See you," was all she could manage to say as she took a different route so she wouldn’t have to be near him any longer.

Her hand was over her chest plate and over her racing heart as she leaned against the wall with her helmet in the other hand. If he kept seeking her out like that and smiling at her, she was never going to be able to get over him.

She squeezed her eyes shut. A part of her never wanted to get over him, and she didn’t know why. The conflicting feelings were so difficult to handle.

Her eyes reopened when she heard the voice of her father, the Earl, and some other advisors as they walked past, not realizing she was there.

A marquess inquired about whom he would like to dance with. Baroness Dethorn hoped it was her niece. Earl Auden was ever the politicker and insisted it ought to be strategic.

Only her father seemed reasonable as he said, "He’s a young man and a strong knight. Men his age shouldn’t be forced to maintain the relationships of the old."

Lord Frost hoped they didn’t have the same taste in women, and that really sealed the deal in making Irene feel sick to her stomach.

Not caring any longer if they heard her, Irene rushed away and found a new path that wouldn’t put her with the Commander or the conversing advisors of the Duke. Both paths sounded like they would bring her more heartache. She would rather take the long way around to avoid it.

Irene looked up towards the vaulted ceilings of the halls she walked through, trying to absorb the beautiful architecture and get her mind off of things.

However, the pristine nature of that environment reminded her she would likely have to face maids fussing over her while she got into whatever was intended for her that evening.

Before she was presenting herself as a boy, this was the place where she would be forced to wear a dress. Her father hid her from the knights, but her mother loved to show off her children to the nobles.

She had a dreadful feeling that this wasn’t a battle she was going to be able to win.

As she quietly escaped into her guest room, she flopped onto her bed, willing herself to feel peaceful before the true chaos of the evening would ensue.