Chapter 14.2

Unfortunately Eirwen's hopes proved futile. She had turned to meditating, trying to calmly channel mana to call upon her version of the Carraig defence. About ten moments in, she felt an unexpected presence approach. She waited and soon Aoife appeared in front of her. The baroness had a complicated look on her face.

Eirwen raised an eyebrow while continuing to refine her techniques. "Can I help you, baroness?"

"More like the other way around. Hold on, it's easier to show. Please take a careful look." With those words, Aoife sat down and slowly built up her own defences, giving a hint of the refined method her family used these days. Eirwen studied it in detail, then pondered how to adjust her own method to include this. So focused was she, she almost forgot to ask why.

"Is this a marriage proposal, or?"

Aoife barked a laugh. "I am not my father, your Grace, and you aren't the despised sixth Flameheart. I don't need to marry you to train you. Besides, this was just a hint. While my father plans to let me replace him soon, until then I can't really defy his orders yet. So properly training you will have to wait until I am formally in charge."

Eirwen smiled but also raised an inquisitive eyebrow, which caused Aoife to blush shyly as she explained. "You said you saw me as a friend. I do too, your Grace, so I don't want to risk you endangering yourself if I can help it. And with that in mind... I'm sorry, but I need to ask. Why did I overhear people say your weapon master cheated on you?"

Eirwen cursed mentally. She had sort of expected things to spread, but she figured both of them being open as to why would have helped. Instead, the rumours had spread so fast, Aoife had overheard. And no doubt, others might soon. While Ailbe and thus Aoife already suspected she had brought her nameless ally here, Eirwen could not risk anyone else realising. This was too dangerous a secret to risk leaking. Not even all the guards could be trusted to keep silent, never mind the staff. 

Instead of answering, she reached out mentally. Not just to a single person, no, one by one she touched the minds of every Verglas member present, as well as the Carraigs and the weapon master. Once she held everyone's attention, she let the cold mask of a ruler slip in place before she addressed them.

There appear to be miscomprehensions held by some of you, so let me clarify. I have reached an agreement with my weapon master. He will be open with me about his motives and always leave me the final choice. As such, any and all of his acts are either with my tacit consent, or, like his actions last night, under my direct orders. If you disapprove, you are welcome to voice your opinion to me directly. Have I made myself clear?

All around the estate, she could sense her own falling on a knee and shouting. """Yes, your Grace!""" Even the Carraigs joined in, much to the confusion of the Flameheart guards that Ailbe had been talking to. Only her weapon master didn't respond or kneel. She sent him a mental raised eyebrow and his response came quickly. 

"Apologies, I made sure to be open with them. I hoped they would spread it properly and prevent idle gossip. But I think I cost them too much energy and the truth started late."

So your excuse is that you're too good in bed? I'm joking, no need to flinch like that. I understand. We both underestimated how eager they are to gossip right now. Just leave things to me and go rest. We both know you overexerted yourself last night.

Eirwen moved her presence back to her people, all still knelt. She commanded them to rise and not forget her instructions. Next, she withdrew her senses and focused on Aoife with just her eyes. "You look dissatisfied. Care to tell me why?"

"It's nothing. It's... Urgh, it's embarrassing." The baroness hesitated for a few counts. "Alright, fine. If you were going to send him to someone, I wish you had sent him to me. I'm just jealous. Forget it."

"I'm not foolish enough to send him into the arms of a rival. Both lust and jealousy endanger the rebuilding of our relationship, so I wished to eliminate those. Leaving him in your hands would defy the purpose."

Aoife sighed and sat down next to Eirwen. "Urgh, I should have pretended not to care as much. Could have tricked you into slipping so I could have had him once at least." Her tone was playful yet just slightly bitter. "Well, guess I should have known. A shame the two of you got to have your trysts during the war, he might have wavered otherwise."

She was clearly just teasing, but Eirwen frowned in response to the surprising words. "I need to correct you there. We never had any trysts during the war. Our last time together was directly after the royal ball, the night depicted on the painting."

Aoife blinked. "Wait, but then. Are you saying you both resisted for years? How did you manage? I figured with the private talks and the times you'd both send away your escorts, you were at it like rabbits. You're telling me that even in private quarters, you two never succumbed to the temptation?"

A blush began to creep up Eirwen's cheeks as she responded. "There were... circumstances. But yes, it was a struggle to resist the urge, a struggle I could tell he faced as well. Though if it's alright with you, Baroness, I would like to not have this conversation with five knights listening in on our every word, while two others are attempting to do the same." She could see the guilty parties stiffen.

Aoife held a playful grin on her face as she rose to her feet and offered a bow. "As you wish, your Grace. I'll come by at dinner so we can gossip. We have years to catch up on, after all." Her tone turned a tad more serious for a moment. "I'd go for tea snacks, but honestly you look like you could use a nap. Take care of yourself, your Grace. I can still offer you feedback on your technique tomorrow. We have time again. I hope you take it."

"I will. Are you alright with Bethan and Pertrellan present at dinner? I think they would enjoy your company as well." It also felt a bit more comfortable to not only spend time with Aoife, because her love for the weapon master still loomed large above their relationship. On the other hand, it likely meant all three of them would tease Eirwen. But that was a sacrifice she would have to make.

"Of course, your Grace. I will see you then. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go ransack my father's spirit collection for a proper gift to you. He needs to drink less anyway, so I'm just helping him there." There was a twinkle in Aoife's eye as she repeated the same excuse she had used multiple times years ago at the Carraig estate. Eirwen smiled and waved her off, then returned to her mediation. She was already looking forward to tonight.