Luke had a servant show Samuel to a guest room, while he and I had a talk. He had already found someone to replace him as watchman in the yard. And I knew he wasn’t happy by the way he was either staring or glaring at me? Either way it wasn’t a friendly expression. I was sitting on top of my desk going to through the papers that had formed a mountain since I had left. Some were request from different towns others were from neighboring countries, and my favorite were the complaints from the court members about how I shouldn’t have left Luke in charge. I would thoroughly read them once Luke was done giving me a lecture.
“Spit it out, whatever it is you have to say, Luke. I don’t have all day,” I told him as I had started reading the first paper in the pile. In all honesty, I didn’t feel like even touching any of them yet, more the less actually reading them. But if I showed attention to them maybe Luke would be lenient in the next words he was about to say.
“What was that? First, you bring someone you know nothing about and then…then..., I don’t even know what happened.”
“What are you talking about?”
"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" I raised an eyebrow questioning him. "It was like I saw a different version of you, and you haven't been gone for long."
I rolled my eyes hearing that. "I argue with you all the time."
“Not like that. I get smacked every time we argue because you keep telling me I’m wrong. You threaten to fire the court members every time they get outline. That was not arguing.”
I felt my eyes narrow as I asked, "What was it then?" I had an idea of where this was leading towards.
He crossed his arms in all seriousness answering with, "I don't think I have to tell you what it was. You already know."
"I don't think I do," I bit out wanting to hear him say it.
He clearly wasn't convinced by my words but relented. "You were flirting with him." He didn't seem pleased to be saying those words.
"I wasn't and if I was, I’ll have you know I can do as I please." Though, I couldn't help thinking maybe he was right, which made me all the more disagreeable to the subject. I decided to change the topic for my own benefit. “Oh, you are wrong. I can’t help you need assistance seeing that.”
He stepped a few inches towards me saying, “See! You’re doing it again. It's honestly scaring me a little. You never act this playful with anyone, at least not without leaving a bruise. The most playful thing you’ve done with me is make fun of me by physically246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzOEMplRlh
abusing me and that weird smirk thing when you’re about to do something wrong.” Again, I rolled my eyes.
“Are you saying you don’t like seeing me act this way?”
“It’s not that. It’s just, well, strange. Don’t let others see you act that way. The court has been searching for reasons to get you off the throne. Immaturity is one of those reasons. If certain members sense that you aren’t ready, they might use it to convince the others to go against you. They don’t have a motive yet. You know that. Most of the court members adore you. They’ve watched you grow up since you were a child and can see potential in your leadership. They trust you’ll do what’s best for the kingdom.”
What was this? Why was he saying these nice things about me? I felt a shiver run down my spine then held my hand over my chest. He was being…kind. It was gross coming from him. Now I wanted him to leave, his niceties were too much for me and painful for my heart.
"Noted.” By now, I had set down the papers and focused on him completely. Something had changed since I’d been away. He was tense. I could see that back in the garden, but it was extremely noticeable when he was speaking. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Sir Elowen has made his stance very clear that he doesn’t think you are ready to lead. He has come to me many times commenting on how only an ignorant ruler would let their dimwit soldier temporarily rule in her place. Not only that, but when we got the message about you being attacked it caused chaos throughout the members. I wanted to go search for you the day we learned about it, but they told me to wait a couple of days. Probably hoping you wouldn’t return,” he said sourly. His voice lowered in all seriousness as he continued, “You know I don’t usually keep watch at night, but a day before you returned the previous guard was shot. He died on the spot. A note came with the arrow that killed him.”
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