The Four Swords

Chapter 100: Punch

Princess Alina's face fell at Cali's playful rebuke. I had a feeling that the Princess carried more than she would ever share with even the closest of her companions.

King Caderyn, Alina's father, fell at the hand of the Autarch and was buried only yesterday. I happened to be hiding with her in the passageways beneath the castle when everything happened. I saw her pace as she pondered about what she could do while her friends and family were in danger.

Part of me hopes she does not blame me for keeping her from her father in his last moments. I was the one who insisted on her safety, making her retreat until someone called the all clear. If she held any resentment toward me, she buried it deep enough for our interactions to remain professional and seem sincere.

I was certain, however, she blamed herself for not being more helpful to her kingdom. She wanted to be part of the action. Maybe if she was, there might have been a more favorable outcome. Somehow guilt for her father's death consumed part of her. I could see it in the depths of her sad eyes.

"I am sorry, Cali," Alina apologized, shrinking almost imperceptibly into herself.

Cali softened. These last few days had been hard on everyone inside the palace, but especially these two ladies. Cali discovered that her mother was alive. She spent the last 18 years believing that her mother died. Not only was she living, but she was working with the enemy.

"Forgive me," Cali humbled herself. It's hard to navigate emotions under so much stress.

I took a moment to scan the room. Although I was well within the purview of my orders to listen in on the Princess's conversations, I felt awkward standing in the middle of tender moments. I would prefer to return to conflict. At least that I could handle.

My eyes landed on Lord Jacobson. He was greeting yet another well wisher in the receiving line. His face held a strained smile that disappeared between visitors for the newest Swordsman to relax his cheeks. Seems I was not the only one straining to seem pleasant today.

The two girls beside me shared a sentimental moment with weak smiles. Cali was the first to fully recover from their slight misunderstanding.

"Enough of this," Cali waved her hand around to indicate the awkward tension that halted the conversation. "We at least have to find a more entertaining topic for Lord Holden's sake. If he's stuck listening to our murmurings, we might as well make it entertaining."

I chuckled at Cali's playful banter. I was not opposed to some type of entertainment, but I worried what the unpredictable adolescent might consider entertaining.

"Let's see," Cali looked around the room as if searching for something to make entertaining. "We could try and introduce Lord Holden to all of those lovely ladies staring at him?"

Alina giggled. "Do you wish to meet your whispering fan club, Lord Holden?"

I blanched. These girls were certainly bold. I think I could find someone to care for without their interference. Even the thought seemed wildly inappropriate while I had a job to complete.

"Ladies, don't you think that would distract me from fully protecting Princess Alina?" I offered.

"I suppose. If you have to be valiant, then so be it," Cali exaggerated her playful tone and accentuated it by rolling her eyes. "But sometimes it's more fun to take a risk!"

As if on cue, Sir Carrion joined the group. He and Lady Calista were the only children of Lord Bleddyn, head of the clan of Wolves. Cali's twin brother was quite the stoic rule follower. How those two ever grew up under the same rules, I will never understand.

"You say you're taking risks, dear sister?" Carrion started as he politely bowed in Alina's direction. "Hopefully nothing too risky?"

"Of course not, dear brother." Cali said flatly with the mirth she used with Alina suddenly gone.

"Then might I take one? May I speak to Princess Alina alone?" Carrion said, eyeing his sister.

Cali and Alina shared a glance. Both seemed perplexed by such an inquiry. Cali's slotted eyes asked Alina's opinion on the matter. Alina's curiosity must have won out because she gave a small nod in favor of the idea.

"Certainly. Excuse me," Cali said before walking off in a direction that left her in Alina's line of sight. When Carrion could not see her anymore, she shrugged her shoulders, letting Alina know she had no idea what her brother was planning.

"How can I help you, Sir Carrion?" Alina tried to start the conversation.

Carrion looked in my direction with his brows furrowed. He was not pleased with my assignment. Get it line, because that makes two of us.

"Lord Holden, please allow me to address the Princess privately," Carrion cut to his point.

Before I had a chance to justify my presence, which seemed ridiculous for me to have to do with a boy of inferior rank from a different clan, Alina cut me off.

"Lord Holden is here for my protection. Although I am sure that you mean me no harm, Sir Carrion, his presence is needed for my peace of mind. I would hate for a spy of the Norads to see his absence as an opportunity for something nefarious," Alina's shoulders squared off, bringing herself to her full height.

Although I do not generally appreciate people speaking for me, it was probably best that I did not tell this little wolf boy what I really thought of his request. I had to give Princess Alina credit for being quite the diplomat in her justification.

Carrion's cheeks started to turn pink. I did not care if he was angry or embarrassed, I simply enjoyed the reaction.

"Very well," Carrion shifted from foot to foot, seeming to find his ground before he began. "In light of Lord Jacobson's ascension to Swordsman, I would like to talk to you about your engagement."

Alina laughed lightly. "I would think since your father is a Swordsman, you might have known that someone from the royal line cannot marry a Swordsman. My engagement is officially off."

I tried to hide my smirk behind my cup of punch. Everyone knew that was the law.

Carrion cleared his throat. "I was thinking about your next one"

I should not have taken that sip. I erupted in a fit of coughing, trying to clear my choke