I Will Be the Greatest Knight-Chapter 447: Better Understanding
Irene’s people pleasing nature that she didn’t normally have to address clashed with her seeming inability to present herself to the Commander in the best light. It was uncomfortable that he hit the nail on the head.
Why was he dragging these sort of feelings out of her? He was supposed to be a knight but he didn’t merely see her on the surface level as so many of the other knights she had handled did. Usually only Felix could get underneath her armor, but it seemed she had found someone else who did but in the worst way. It was more alarming to her when feelings were involved.
She had agonized seeing him this morning just because she didn’t want to disappoint him. She knew that if he gave her any impression that he was disappointed in her, it would roll around in her head the entire time she was gone.
"Wouldn’t you be disappointed?" she asked quietly. "My first days back and I’m already breaking my promises."
"I’ll be disappointed not to see you first thing in the morning or last thing at night," Henry admitted. "But it wouldn’t make me think any less of your character. You are a knight in my knighthood before anything else. I knew as much from the moment I decided I wanted you closer. Honestly..." Henry broke his gaze and looked down. "Honestly, I used to have to juggle my time with someone who didn’t understand that the knighthood being my priority wasn’t a choice. Someone who would punish me each time I chose to fight monsters rather than taking up a quiet space at her side. I’m relieved not to have to worry about that anymore because you understand me."
His dark eyes lifted when he felt Irene place her hand over his where it sat on the armrest. He was met with her deep green eyes and a small smile of understanding.
Irene knew immediately that he was referring to the Princess who had clearly left deep scars in him. After accidentally stumbling upon her cruel letter to him, Irene saw him in a new light. She never knew how important this knowledge of him would be one day. It made her silently promise to never be like that, but why keep it silent?
"I promise I know I will keep is that I will never misunderstand why the knighthood is so important to you," she assured him. "Because it will always be just as important to me. I grew up watching my parents fight over the knighthood. My mother couldn’t understand why my father wanted to be away from his family so much, but it wasn’t that he wanted it at all. We were safe in a hidden village where he was sure the monsters were culled and the people were trustworthy."
He seemed immensely relieved to hear that. His smile spoke as such.
"My mother was likely only understanding because me being in the knighthood meant that her quality of life became better since more money was coming in," Henry admitted. "Now, we ought to eat before the food gets cold. Siverly couldn’t stress enough that I should eat more food."
Irene obediently did as she was told. Her stomach was growling as it was. Practicing first thing in the morning and then eating always made her appetite so much worse.
For a few moments, there was silence as they enjoyed their food. Irene found it surprisingly comfortable not having to fill the space with words.
When her bowl was empty, she looked to see the Commander finishing what he could of his before he put down his spoon and leaned back into the chair. She was a bit saddened to see that he was finished when there was still some left because she could tell he was feeling weak. However, food wasn’t the cure for everything. Resting was.
"Want me to help you to the bed?" she asked.
He sat up a bit straighter and began to respond, "I don’t..."
At first, he was going to tell her he didn’t need it, but at her hand outstretched towards him, he found himself reaching towards her. He would rely on her until he couldn’t anymore.
He imagined that once things went back to normal, she would probably return to her more aloof nature. It was best to take advantage of the few moments he had left now.
Once he was on his feet, he placed an arm around her shoulders and she walked him to his bed with her arm loosely around his waist.
They were feeling similarly because she wanted to stop time and walk like that forever. Her assumption was that he would return to his professional nature once this phase of his life was over. She couldn’t imagine what was in store for her next.
Once the Commander was sitting on the edge of his bed, he said, "When will I be able to see you next?"
"I’ll bring your dinner," she assured him. "If you want to wake up early, I will bring you breakfast too, but I won’t force you—"
"Bring me my breakfast," he cut her off. "I want to see you before you go."
That much, she knew she could ensure it would happen.
As she left with their bowls, Irene felt a bit lighter in her step knowing that he was understanding of her position in the knighthood. So, her suspicion when she was younger that only a knight could understand her was reigning true.
In a better mood, Irene went through the preparations for the next day with the apprentices. They were going to have to bring more supplies with them to ensure there was enough to completely restore the barn.
Luckily, the knights would likely not need to be directly involved with the building considering most villages had people specialized in that. It also meant she might possibly return in time to see to it the Commander was eating.
After one more dinner and breakfast with him, Henry wished Irene the best on her trip. As she disappeared deeper into the valley, she spared the Duke’s Tower one last glance before going between trees.
The meaning of the Duke’s Tower to her life kept evolving the older she became. Now it was where her heart firmly stayed. The urge to rush back was present the entire journey.
