I Will Be the Greatest Knight-Chapter 462: Seeking

It felt like her life had changed so drastically, but she wasn’t allowed to let anyone around her know. Her parents had somewhat of an idea, but she wasn’t ready to let the knights around her in on her secret.

Worst was that she didn’t know how to hide her expression in this arena. It had taken her a long time to have a front while sword fighting. She imagined this would take even longer to adjust to.

That much was evident when Henry was present and in rushed all of the thoughts she tried to suppress while she was out with William in the foothills.

The desire to reach out and touch him only rose as he settled down at the head of the table to her right. He was the one who told her she could kiss him whenever she wanted, but she knew that whenever she wanted would be all the time. Fortunately for him, she knew when was appropriate.

"Good evening, Commander," she greeted him quietly, but wasn’t the only one to say those exact words.

However, a thought struck her as the Commander settled in and maids were quick to bring him his plate of food, fresh bread, and ale. There was something he had done to her before.

With burdening courage, she subtly glanced towards the ground and saw that his boot wasn’t that far from hers.

As she delicately drank a bit of ale, she slid her boot against his. His surprise was enough for her to smile secretly behind the mug in front of her face.

His dark eyes caught hers for a moment as she set down her cup. She knew that he accepted it when he sat a bit more forward in his chair so that his knee was brushing against the side of hers. It made her further determined not to allow her courage to crumble.

Felix was the first to speak up, breaking the silence of the others eating their food. His impeccable timing was almost as if he knew what was happening underneath their table.

"Anything interesting in the hills today?" the second in command asked. "William was a good choice to bring with you, I assume."

Even then, she didn’t move from her Commander. She would learn how to now show everything in her expression if it was the last thing she did.

"Actually, there was something interesting," she admitted, ensuring her voice was stable. "I believe since our Commander’s accident, Sylaron has been taking down the monsters more seriously than ever before. There is evidence of burning in a multitude of different places."

Felix’s eyebrows rose. "Will we have any forest left after she goes through? I saw firsthand what she had done to the cave system myself."

Irene glanced at Henry, but returned her attention to Felix. "Surprisingly, she’s very pointed in her attacks. William and I both observed that the fire will be concentrated on the monster, but the trees around will only have shallow burns. Some even only lose leaves or pine needles during one of her attacks. I think everything will rebound quite easily especially considering the season."

The Commander placed down the roll he had been eating as he listened to their conversation.

"I will have to tell her to hold back," he explained. "She’s listened to me before. When I first met her, she wouldn’t burn goblins to attack them anyway and preferred physical attacks. But I’ve read that dragons change a lot as they get older."

"How old would you say she is?" Felix suddenly wondered. "After my report about them, I found that people estimate they can live for over a century."

"A mage once told me that they can be in their eggs for decades," Henry admitted. "It’s hard to say just how old she might really be. She acts like a child, though."

"To you anyway," Irene added. "She at least tries to be cute to you, but intimidates most others."

"I suppose it has to do with our past," Henry decided as he continued to eat.

"Then I suppose that’s solved," Felix decided. However, his light blue eyes saw someone cast a significant look at him before passing through the dining hall doors. "I best be on my way. I have a few other things to attend to."

Irene looked over her shoulder at the other knight leaving the dining hall in a more rushed manner than usual. Her eyebrows were raised for a few moments, but she lowered her head and focused on her food once more.

Soon after, it was Henry who stood from the table and he bid his knights and apprentices a good night. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"I have a bit of work left to finish in my study," he explained to the others. "Have a good evening."

Irene nodded at his farewell before she could finish her food.

She hoped that he remembered his promise to go on a walk with her if it wasn’t too cold. The last she remembered from outside was that there were still heavy clouds in the sky but no sign of rain.

When her bowl was in the maids’ bin and she was in the hallway just outside of the dining hall, she paused for a moment. Should she bother him? He said he had work to do.

She didn’t like this sort of hesitance she seemed to always carry with her when it came to that man. He was the one who said they should have a walk to make up for their moment that was cut off earlier.

Feeling more determined, Irene went outside and retrieved a cloak suitable for the weather. She then found herself walking down the hallway and returning to the study that held so many memories for her by that point.

His study door was open and when she passed through the threshold, she saw him standing at some windows and watching the sunset by himself. The pinks and purples of evening light set his face aglow and she found him as beautiful as she found him handsome.

It made her nervous, but she pressed on.

When she was finally close enough to touch him, she gently grabbed the edge of his tunic next to his sword. A silent gesture that said ’please pay attention to me.’

He didn’t fully turn towards her but a pleased smile pulled at his lips and she figured she hadn’t done the wrong thing. His once frustrating face looked so kissable.

He brought her out of her strange thoughts as he asked, "Would you like to go on a walk then?"

"I would. The nights are starting to be milder."

"I’ll get my cloak," he responded.

As he turned to walk away, Irene still didn’t let go of his tunic and only tightened her grip. She glanced at the door and saw no one there or any risk of anyone coming.

"You said I could... Whenever I wanted..."

Henry was confused at first, but then he recalled their moments from before. His usual smile turned into more of an accusing smirk and she felt afraid as her stomach flipped.

He invaded her space and gently clasped her cheek.

"Do you want to kiss me?" he practically whispered. "You’re going to learn quickly that I’ll never say no to that."

She didn’t have to answer because he closed the space about halfway before she responded with herself and their lips met. It was slow but it was so sweet. It was better than dessert after dinner.

"Henry..." she whispered his name, feeling a bit helpless as she stared up at him.

Momentarily, it was him who seemed shy.

"Let’s enjoy a walk before the rain can set in," her Commander responded as quietly.

And true to his words, they were only able to walk for about a half hour before the heavens opened with heavy raindrops and they found themselves running back to the Duke’s Tower, hand in hand. Both of their faces contained lighthearted smiles as they were caught in a situation that made them feel so childish and unprepared.