Chapter 17: Chapter 17

HOSTESS AND LADY

"You're no good." Florence hissed, slamming her nails into my forearm as we walked down the hall to her room.

A servant took us there, but apparently he was so unimportant that Florence could let herself go. I tried to free my arm, but Florence already knew this maneuver from me.

“Making me look so stupid in front of Avan! I should rip out every hair of yours!"

"Let go of me!"

"Be careful who you're talking to!" The servant gasped in surprise when he heard Florence growl. "Thanks to me you're here."

"You wouldn't have cared if Arin killed me or sold me! You just wanted to look good in front of your followers when you're doing your duty!"

Florence blushed deeply and threw me against the nearest wall. She dug her nails back into my flesh and came very close to my face.

"You are absolutely right! You are the worst thing that could have happened to me! And because I didn't listen to my father once, of course you had to arise! And yes, I would have killed you too, but by then my pregnancy was already too well known! I was cast out because of you! You're right, bastard. I wouldn't have cared if Arin killed you or kept you a whore."

Of course, none of this was new to me, but I couldn't deny how painful it was to hear it all again. Sometimes, even today, I wondered if she would love me someday.

Or if she couldn't have loved me earlier if she had married my father.

But then I saw this unbridled hatred oozing from every pore. she would never love me Never.

"Stop crying, please! Can't you just show a little dignity for once!?"

The servant tried to say something, but Eberhart had regained his arrogance and clearly rebuked him. The servant growled a few words, but kept his distance.

What could he have done?

"And one more thing." Florence started again and grabbed my upper arms so tightly that I felt drops of blood running down my elbows. "Don't ever stand in my way here again. Do you understand that?"

Let her choke on her words.

She glared at me once more, then left me and went to her room with Eberhart.

I stood there, arms limp, bleeding, leaning against the wall, numb and unable to pull myself together.

Everything was so nice this morning... Arin was with me again, Avan seemed peaceful and for the first time in a long time I slept in a soft bed.

"Elain?" a large hand lifted my chin. Arin. His eyes turned angry. "Where is she?"

"What?" I couldn't stop my voice from shaking.

"Where is she. I'll hand-"

Before he could finish, my body just fell against him. Actually, I didn't want to see him at all. But I couldn't send him away. I needed him...

He wrapped his arms around me as gently as if I were made of glass. He didn't try to question me.

On the one hand it was really nice to have found a place to rest, on the other hand it was unbearable that he didn't say anything. Nothing.

"Why didn't you push her away..."

He probably needed a moment to think. "I beg your pardon?"

"Florence... She was obviously rubbing up against you... and you... allowed that..."

A tremor shook his chest. Was he giggling?

"Are you laughing about me...?"

"No..." Of course! You could hear this funny croaking.

Did he really think it would make me better? I glared at him angrily. Then he bit his lip hard. "I'm sorry, but I didn't think you could be jealous."

Was he serious? Was that what came to mind first?

Pouting, I leaned back against the wall. "I think I'm going to bed for tonight..."

Arin put a hand next to my head and kissed me. It was almost ridiculous how much better it made my situation.

"I hadn't even noticed, I was so shocked." He breathed close to my lips. "Do you think I need the milk if I can have the cow?"

"Now I'm a cow..." I wailed and snuggled up to his laughing chest again.

Let Florence come back. Even if she didn't love me, Arin did.

I actually wanted to skip dinner, but I decided not to give Florence or Avan this highlight. I was the hostess, so I would be there too.

But it didn't feel half as great as it sounded.

I wore my dark blue dress that I had brought from home. It had tight black silk sleeves that reached to my knuckles. However, I waited to change until Arin was gone. I knew the wounds Florence had left nails would be clearly visible. And since I didn't want to explain anything to Arin, I just waited until he was gone.

Of course, the Knights' Hall was even louder than at lunchtime. The children were hyper, some too tired and crying and the parents tired and irritable. Avan asked Arin and I to sit next to him because I'm the hostess and I need to sit with my guests. And they had attached themselves to his heels. So I sat between Arin and Avan...

Florence had a tight corset that perfectly accentuated her ladylike figure. Her shiny brown hair was beautiful. Beautiful as a snake.

Arin tried very hard not to notice Florence's over-the-top laugh or Eberhart's bragging. Just like his big brother.

Syman sat with Taran again, arguing with him while Kora felt embarrassed for both of them. As did I with my family.

Florence suddenly surprised one of my sisters-in-law to tell her how expensive her dress was. Eberhart ate and agreed with her politely.

"This person..." Avan growled softly, clenching his teeth.

Arin smiled maliciously. "She reminds me of a friend of Mother's."

"What? Which one?"

"Bernadett. She tried to sleep with dad."

Avan frowned, smirking as he remembered. "I only saw the woman once."

"Lucky one."

Both brothers looked at each other with a faint smile. Then they probably noticed who they were talking to and both turned their faces away expressionlessly.

This was going to be a long meal...

"Father!" Helena came up behind me and tugged at Avan's arm. "I want the pudding now! You promised me! Now!"

"You'll have to wait." He purred apologetically.

All of a sudden Helena looked like she was a poor starving orphan. Her lip quivered and her eyes widened. "Wait longer?"

Avan grimaced slightly and looked around. "It won't be ready yet, little one."

A lonely tear ran down her cheek. Avan died a thousand deaths. "Go to the kitchen and tell them to give you one."

And she was happy. Jumped into the air once, giggling, and gave Avan a quick squeeze. Then she was gone.

Arin tried not to laugh and held his goblet to his lips.

"Shut up..." Avan growled, avoiding Arin's and my eyes.

"I'm not saying anything, brother!"

A long, long meal...

At my wit's end, I brushed my hair back from my forehead and rested my chin in my hand.

Florence had been sitting across from me for an hour, recounting all the mistakes I had made since her arrival. Because as a wife, I had failed.

At least that's what I was told. Arin had a very different opinion this morning when I caught my breath on his bare chest. Then he had revealed to me admiringly how well I fulfilled my duties.

Only thanks to this morning ritual, which surprisingly made me as tame as a kitten, did I let Florence continue without ramming my fork into her hand.

"You know, if you had any decency, you would have hired me a tailor long ago."

I didn't remember a tailor being part of etiquette. However, I didn't know my way around.

"Why would you want a tailor to suit you?" I mumbled into my hand, annoyed.

She rolled her eyes angrily.

"What's the mumbling about!? Show the manners you learned with us and behave like a lady!"

I was willing to spit on the floor in a relaxed manner. But Arin or Avan could have seen it. That would be incredibly embarrassing. So I huffed and lifted my chin.

"Why should a tailor suit you?"

Florence stared at me like I was insane. "Why!? Well maybe because I'm an important and respected visitor who deserves a gift?"

"A guest gift means that you give us something."

She banged her delicate fist on the table indignantly. "Damn, Elaine! What do you know! I deserve a dress! And a banquet!"

"A...! What do you think the meal was last night?"

Florence narrowed her eyes. "That, my little ignorant bastard," of course, if you lost an argument, the bastard got it. "It wasn't a banquet."

"So you want a dress and a banquet from a bastard?" So blatant!

"Of course not! Where would we be!?" She leaned back indignantly and grimaced in disgust. "I want what's due to me. From the Campbells."

"Of course, my fault." How would I get rid of this woman?

For a while she just stared at me like she was waiting for something. Then her impatient fist banged on the table again. "Don't you finally want to set everything in motion!? Lord God, Elaine! What a good-for-nothing you are!"

"If I had been taught how to organize a castle, I might know what to do!" I snapped back.

I loved my foster parents, but they just couldn't teach me what to do here. Or would if I were the lord of the castle. Florence could have done it, she decided against it and now wanted to point out her mistake to me. And that was probably the height!

She leaned far across the table and came very close to my face.

"I'm serious Elaine. I'll talk to Avan if you dare ignore my wishes!"

"How was that?" Had she noticed something? But how? She was otherwise only interested in herself! Why did she suddenly notice my struggles?

"I noticed exactly how you deal with the lords of the castle here. Oh yes I have. Whatever game you two are playing, I know it won't help you if I add fuel to the fire. So I advise you, make me happy."

Well... I guess I had a lot of work ahead of me... Because I didn't let myself be treated like that.

Arin shoed the last horse in the stable. It belonged to his brother Samuel. Now all the horses had what they needed.

Syman was delighted when Arin appeared in the stable with the new hooves and worked with him. He didn't leave his side and tried to show him all his skills.

"What are the duke and his wife doing here anyway?" he handed Arin a ladle of ice-cold fountain water. His throat seemed to freeze even long after he had swallowed the water.

"I have no idea. The duke wanted to speak to my brother, that's all I'm allowed to know."

"Have you seen Eric yet?"

"I haven't met him since my visit to the study."

Syman brought the trowel back to the bucket, then leaned against the post next to Arin. "Do you think Elain is okay? When I saw her yesterday, she looked very sad."

Arin had been haunted by how blank her eyes had been when he'd picked her up in the corridors yesterday. Of course, he knew immediately who was to blame for her condition, but he couldn't just leave Elain behind to take on Florence.

And this morning, after removing her flimsy nightgown, he noticed funny crusts of blood on her arms the size of fingers.

He almost threw a tantrum, but then she drew his attention back to herself.

"I hope so." He murmured. Did he want to think of his ten-year-old cousin as well as his naked wife? "Otherwise I'll hang the two gentlemen."

Syman nodded willingly.

"You like, Elain. I'm right?"

Syman nodded again. "She's like a big sister. Luckily you didn't marry one of those ladies from the cities. They wouldn't be as good for you as they..."

"How do you know about women?"

Syman grinned caught and scratched his cheeky skull.

"Do I know about it?"

Arin laughed at Syman's face flushing. After all, every boy spied on a woman to satisfy his curiosity.

Arin's smile faded quickly, however, when Avan entered the stable. Syman became unsteady and shifted from one foot to the other. Avan stopped by his horse and smiled knowingly.

No one shoed and groomed the horses the way Arin did. He had his own ways and whites that everyone in the castle noticed immediately. "Were you bored?"

"It was necessary."

He wouldn't admit it if it had been like that. Avan would surely think of something to get rid of him immediately. Avan joined them and gave Syman a quick nod. He was too frozen to say hello back.

Avan suddenly became serious at Arin's tone. He lowered his arms while looking Arin straight in the eyes. "Do you seriously think I'm like father?"

Arin couldn't breathe. Did he actually want to talk about it?

Syman stared at Arin as if he had betrayed Avan and was disappointed. Suddenly he didn't feel comfortable in his own skin. Avan waited for an answer.

Well, actually, Avan was like his mother. And Arin loved her, he never left her side for the first five years. When she died, he was incredibly shocked. Too small to mourn or understand.

He actually only wanted to silence Avan once with the comparison. Be at an advantage just once. Apparently he had made a fool of himself. Now he had to explain himself.

"You're his son, after all."

Avan kept a straight face. "You too."

Arin sighed. "I was angry. And you treated me the same way he did."

"Indeed?" His voice grew dangerously quiet.

"Indeed. You forget that I'm not five anymore, Avan. You just decide to lock me up in the castle and you know how much I hate it here."

Out of the blue, Avan banged his fist on a beam, which immediately complained with a crash.

The horses shied and Syman took a few steps behind Arin. Avan looked terrifying. His whole presence radiated an indignant, uncontrollable temper. Even Arin bit his tongue. He wouldn't say anything more to upset him even more.

"Stop playing me for a fool! You're just offended because you think I'm using my power on you and gloating in it!"

Arin couldn't deny that. He hated how small he felt around Avan.

A deep vibrating sound came from Avan's chest, like a growl. "In case you aren't aware, I have an entire castle that I have power over that I could gloat over! Who do you think you are!?"

Arin felt a spike snap from his crown. "Then why are you playing with me like that?"

Avan tumbled towards him uncomfortably fast. Syman pressed against Arin and grabbed his arm. Had Syman Avan ever experienced anything like this? He couldn't know him enough for that.

Avan stopped just a hand's breadth away from Arin. "I'll protect you, you stupid idiot!" He suddenly grabbed Arin by the collar and pulled him closer. "Think. Just use your stupid brain for once! Why are you making it so difficult for us!? I'll tell you like it is, I'm sick of it! I'm the older one. If you don't care about me, if we're not enough for you . Then go away."

It got quiet. Arin couldn't believe his ears. "I beg your pardon?"

"I'm tired of begging. I don't want to try to save your ass anymore. Just go, Arin. Do what you want. Don't think I'll come and help you. Not this time."

With a powerful shove, Avan pushed Arin away from him again. Not knowing what to say, do, or think about, he stood in silence for a moment. Then he turned and disappeared from the stable...

Syman was frozen. Avan turned her around without noticing the boy. He kicked the bucket across the barn. It hit the stable wall and shattered into a thousand pieces.

The horses jumped and staggered in their compartments, but Avan didn't notice. He grabbed saddles, bridles, even bales of straw and threw them from side to side.

After a while the stable looked like a battlefield, the horses kicked and Syman's older cousin stood among all the broken pieces and didn't seem the least bit exhausted.

His eyes blazed, his muscles strained to the point of bursting. So big and strong.

Now he finally seemed to notice Syman, too. He had never seen Avan like this. Without any self-control.

"Why are you still here?" Syman couldn't answer. He didn't even know what had just triggered the whole thing. Avan took a deep breath and tilted his head back.

Then he opened a door to paddock and let the horses outside. The squire watched him for a while. Tried to move, but the shock paralyzed him. After that, Avan silently disappeared. He only briefly laid a hand on Syman's hair before stepping out the door.

I fled into the courtyard, hoping Florence wouldn't be looking for me too hard. It already smelled like lunch. A few women walked side by side and gossiped. A truck with groceries was unloaded.

Life. I haven't had any people around since Florence was here. She really drove everyone away.

"Elaine." I almost didn't recognize Arin's voice.

She sounded harsh and stern. Exactly what his face looked like. He came towards me across the yard. Without another word, he grabbed my arm and pulled me with him.

I stumbled after him in surprise. What was going on?

He pulled me to the forge and locked the door behind us. As he turned to, I recognized his mood. His eyes were dark and passionate. he wanted me He ripped his shirt off his chest and pushed me against the nearest wall. Some heavy aprons pressed against my back.

He angrily pulled my skirt to my hips and immediately pressed them against his. With a clenched jaw, he picked me up and at the same time pressed me against the aprons with his upper body.

I put my hands on his strong back and let him take possession of me.

At first I caught my breath. A deep, satisfied growl came from Arin's chest. I almost lost my senses as he put his lips to my collarbone and kept thrusting.

Noises came out of my throat that I didn't recognize. The muscles of his back under my hands, his deep throaty sounds and his inimitable scent. This man was perfect...

His teeth brushed my earlobe, his breath brushed my neck. i lost my mind I couldn't hold back anymore. Shortly thereafter, Arin also found his salvation. He continued to hold us against the wall and pressed his forehead against the wall next to me.

He slowly let me down again, but he still imprisoned me against the wall. Something was happening to him.

"And how was your day otherwise?" I asked, trying to keep my tone of voice calm.

A smile slowly formed on his face. He looked at me and grinned. "I beg your pardon?"

"Mine was awful."

Arin laughed. "Mine too."

I snuggled up to him and briefly enjoyed his smell, which was now particularly intense. This man just always smelled beguilingly good.

"Arin? Can I have a tailor come to the castle?"

He gently stroked damp strands of hair from my forehead. "I didn't even think about that. Of course."

"Then it's actually customary to give your guest a coat rack?"

It didn't take Arin long to figure out what this was about. "No, definitly not."

I knew it! "You mean you're not entitled to a banquet either?"

Arin was upset again. "Is that what she wants?"

"Don't worry, I won't let her blackmail me."

"Blackmail!? I'll throw these people out immediately!"

"Please do not!" He stared at me angrily. "I can do it too, Arin."

I couldn't make it so easy for myself. Neither because of Florence itself, nor because of Avan.

Arin read something in my eyes and then nodded. "But remember, I was born here. This is my home. Everything that's mine is yours. So don't be shy. Just because I don't have the same rank as the others still gives me privileges."

"Thank you, my lord."

Arin smiled wolfishly. "You can be pretty dangerous, am I right?"

"Me, husband?"

"Me, husband?" Arin mocked me and made a funny face.