Chapter 28.1

The next day, all three of them shielded their emotions and focused on work, without avoiding each other too much. It was easy for people to notice that Eirwen had control over herself, though they didn't know why. She was glad to feel like she was herself again, no longer slowly descending into madness.

Thinking back to her time at the royal court, it made her wonder if he had faced the same problem then, if she had been his solution. If so... She called Bethan over to her office, to satisfy her curiosity. The very instant the doors closed behind the healer, Eirwen asked her. "Bethan, a question. You've known my hound for years. Did he ever come across as a ravenous beast?"

She hadn't been sure what to expect as answer, but a snort had not been amongst the options. Nor the eye-roll. "Eirwen, he was a young man with one of the most beautiful women of the realm as his betrothed. You should have been offended if he hadn't. He thought the world of you and wanted you and nobody else. He simply knew how to keep it in check as to not scare you off."

Eirwen thought back to their passions back then. Yes, she could see that. The weighted responses after using his abilities too much, the occasional hunger in his eyes. Meanwhile, Bethan narrowed her eyes. "Wait... Okay... Is this about your recent madness? You're wondering whether he faced the same?" Eirwen nodded, not wanting to give too much away with her tone.

"Well, in that case I have a story for you. One time at court, he was practising various mana techniques at the training grounds. You got caught up in a conversation and so I went ahead. I could tell he wasn't entirely there and told him you were coming over. At first, I saw a hunger in his eyes far worse than anything the two of you have shown me recently, starving enough to give me chills. And then panic rose in his eyes and he asked me to buy time as he rushed for a water basin, dousing himself with cold water before he dared face you."

Eirwen remembered that moment. He had looked even more appealing than normal and while she had suppressed her blush, his figure had clearly been to the taste of many an onlooker. She also still remembered that night, when they had barely caught any sleep while desperately trying to remain quiet. So he had been mad then, and his restraint had frayed often. That did make her feel better about herself, knowing that after years of experience, he had still struggled. Which also meant the war would have been horrible for him.

She thanked Bethan and discussed whether anything was left to arrange, then sent her off. There was a lot to unpack regarding his self-control, but it would have to wait.

Dinner that evening was in what now formally was the dining hall. A lavish meal with many a luxurious ingredient, where even the servants were to enjoy themselves. They all knew that Eirwen would be gone for several months after this, and that on return she might go back home soon after. So right now, this was their last chance in a lengthy while to enjoy their time together.

After a night of joy, sleep came easy. And, surprisingly, without nightmares. At dawn, the entire estate rose as one, for the final preparations. In the front courtyard, Eirwen said her goodbyes and ended up getting bear-hugged by Duchess Ashwood. As for her hound, from most people he simply received a quick nod, then they proceeded to bow to Eirwen. Even now, they made sure to keep the image intact that she was their ruler, not he.

The one exception came from Aoife, who greeted Eirwen first, then walked over to the weapon master. A quick exchange of words later and suddenly Eirwen felt her senses being blocked out. She wasn't the only one, every knight and noble present, and even some troops, immediately turned towards the weapon master. It wasn't just their mana sensing that he was blocking, he also locked down sound and there was a shimmer to the air against lipreading.

They still could see the two, just not catch on to what exactly they were discussing. Eirwen recalled there having been a few times in the war she had been unable to properly spy on him, but that had been at a large distance. This close, she still couldn't see the mana weave properly. Intriguing. He should teach her that.

Half a moment later, she saw him hold up his shield, only for Aoife to grasp it and lean her head against it. If Eirwen had to guess, it likely was a way for them to be friendly and supportive without acting intimate. A clever way to stop rumours back when she was his sword during the war. She'd have to ask later what they talked about, but right now it was fine.

Shortly before the first bell, all were fully ready. A large group of knights, soldiers, and staff, ready to venture into Eirwen's new domains. All knew that part of them would quietly slip off to venture into the mountains, but the outside world didn't need to know that. So right now they were all dressed in Verglas and Iceheart colours, though in a few days part wouldn't be.

As she looked at those remaining behind, she felt pride. Their loyalty to her had mayhaps been partly due to their former liege's orders, but Eirwen had proven worth of it all. And now, after several months of training, and the reminder that they should stand strong together, even against the crown's contempt, they were a cohesive group.

"Comtesse Aoife Carraig. I leave my domain in your hands. I know you will manage it well." Aoife beamed from pride herself. Eirwen had made very clear that her trust had been earned by her friend's competence. She knew her rival and former opponent would do well, especially with several talented advisors by her side. Whatever challenges outside parties might throw at them, Seren and Aoife would handle them well.

The town saw them out, not a formal ceremony but simply people gathering and bowing. As much as she noticed their joy at the presence of the man by her side, she also could tell their respect for her was sincere. They had already accepted her before she announced his survival, and that hadn't wavered. The west was loyal to a fault, but they were even more so towards those that proved worthy of it. That was why they had loved the Marquis far more than his father, and why now she held their oaths. From her reports she could tell the message had spread well. It would take a few years, but she had no doubt that eventually, all would properly recognise her rule.

The group ventured forth, keeping up a solid travel pace. With some of the best horses at hand, they made it to the Doirinne estate just before the tenth bell. There, Vicomtesse Dubheasa Ó Doirinne welcomed them. As she guided them to quarters, Eirwen caught her hound snooping on the Vicomtesse's mother and sister. Like her hound, she confirmed their condition as decent, though their emotional states were clearly in bad shape.

At dinner, the Vicomtesse talked mostly business with both, verifying the current state of the dukedoms and what she should prioritise on when it came to resources and transport. Eventually she came to the important question, a performative one to help establish their cover story. "Your Grace, may I ask who run your domain while you take this trip to visit the various territories?"

"Comtesse Pertrellan runs Verglas, Comtesse Carraig runs Iceheart. Seren and Aoife are both experienced and will be able to collaborate through the communication crystals, so I have no doubt that they will manage well." She made sure to check the Vicomtesse's eyes and saw no problems. She gestured to Siress Nantgate, who came forth with a sealed scroll. 

"That does remind me, I will need to ask you to have this delivered back to Leathad Den Ghrian, as we will be moving on tomorrow ourselves. I trust you will take proper care of it, Comtesse Ó Doirinne."

The newly promoted Comtesse managed to keep her surprise to a minimum, just hitched breath and widening eyes. Their audience, knights and staff alike, managed their shock less. But she simply bowed her head. "Thank you, your Grace." She looked back up with questioning eyes. "But this is rather sudden. May I ask why?"

"I told you, didn't I? How you treat your sister and mother would be your test. You treat them decent but not too well. More importantly, you assigned soldiers and even knights to ensure neither of them take out their frustrations on your staff. And judging from how everyone was moving around, this protection is far from a new thing. You have kept the safety of your people in mind from the very instant I promoted you."

Her hound nodded with a smile. "She's right, Dubheasa. You already made good effort to shield people from your sister's tantrums in the past, and it is easy to tell you have continued to do so now that you're in charge. Eirwen was wise when she chose you."

A faint blush on the Comtesse's face made Eirwen feel complicated for a few counts, though she understood the feeling well. She put that aside and accepted her hound's compliment. "I had a few good advisors that helped me with that. I must apologise for the lack of formal ceremony, though I haven't done so with Aoife and Seren either. When the one year anniversary of Iceheart arrives, I should make time to properly acknowledge everyone's accomplishments. I know yours will be a substantial part of those."

Now the faint blush was caused by Eirwen, which the Comtesse hid with a quick bow. "Thank you for your trust, your Grace. I will make sure to prove worthy of it." She turned to Eirwen's hound with a teasing smile. "And you, weapon master, should reserve your smooth tongue a little more for your liege, rather than for old friends. I wish both of you safe travels, and some proper time together."

While Eirwen suppressed the urge to look coy, both her hound and Bethan laughed, which helped set the mood. The rest of the evening was a more friendly affair, with Eirwen's hound regaling them with stories about each other's childhoods. Eirwen countered with requests about his, and Dubheasa managed to provide a few nice ones. Apparently she had been there at age sixteen when at age fourteen the Marquis had knighted his personal guard. It was fun to hear how shocked everyone had been at the sudden ceremony.

Eirwen slept well that night, still surprised no nightmares had come recently. She hoped it would stay that way.