“You’ve got a companion? Can’t be a very good one if he’s keeping you waiting out here all by yourself. Why don’t you ditch him and have some fun with us instead?”
They were right that her husband was being inconsiderate by staying inside even after she couldn’t stand to be in the boutique any longer, but she had chosen to leave of her own volition. It wasn’t Arnald’s fault.
Because the carriage had been parked a little ways away, she would appear to be alone. And besides, Byletta knew full well that the pair of soldiers weren’t commenting on her companion’s actions out of a place of concern.
“But aren’t you on duty?”
It was a natural assumption to make based on the men’s uniformed appearance, but the two soldiers simply smirked.
“We led the empire to glory. Don’t we deserve a reward?”
“That’s right. We toiled away all those years so people like you could be safe.”
In Byletta’s opinion, the enormous victory celebration would more than suffice as their reward. She’d heard there was even a parade planned.
If they wanted to be celebrated, why did it have to be like this? Forcing people to do as they pleased wasn’t right, either, and trying to chat up girls in an upmarket area like this was ridiculous.
“This isn’t fitting behavior for two military men. Have at least a little pride in your station.”
“What did you just say?”
“We’re not the kind to go easy on you just because you’re a woman.”
The pair suddenly bristled, and Byletta was left unsure of what to do next. They both had swords attached to their belts, which would make for trouble if drawn. Even if she’d wanted to fight them, she was unarmed.
The only thing she had that could possibly be fashioned into a weapon was her tiny handbag.
As Byletta subtly started glancing around her surroundings, looking for anything she could wield as a weapon, she heard a soft-spoken voice from behind her.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Byletta. Oh, what’s going on here?”
“These two gentlemen were just checking that I was all right, given that I was standing out here all alone.”
Byletta looked back to find Arnald standing there, nonplussed. When had he come out of the store? It seemed like he wasn’t interested in the situation before him. He wasn’t looking at the men, or even the young woman. Instead, he was sliding an arm around Byletta’s waist, and she raised an eyebrow at the move.
“I see. Thank you two for taking care of my wife, then. Shall we go?”
“Hey. Wait.”
“We can’t let you get away that easily after insulting us like that.”
Byletta had done her best to defuse the situation, but the men still seemed displeased. It was clear that they would not just let the conversation end on that note. But did they seriously not realize that this wasn’t going to end well for them?
Byletta may have looked like a civilian, but her husband was a lieutenant commander. The two men were obviously of lower rank and therefore no match for him. Perhaps it was because Arnald looked so slender and gentle? It seemed these harassers had yet to learn not to judge a book by its cover.
Byletta glanced at Arnald and saw a smile on his face.
Her instincts immediately screamed a warning.
A tingle raced down the back of her neck. She wanted to run away right then and there, but the arm around her waist prevented her from making an escape.
Byletta could sense the same anger in Arnald that she’d sensed on their wedding night, the memories of which remained vividly in her brain. How could those two men see that look on her husband’s face and possibly think they were at an advantage? Byletta was Arnald’s wife, and even she wanted to get away.
“Do you still have some business with her?”
“Your companion there insulted us. She obviously has no appreciation for all the military does for her. We want her to apologize.”
“Exactly. And you have to mean it.”
“I suppose her appreciation for the military does run rather thin… What is your unit and rank?”
“What?”
“It looks as if you need more training if you’re here harassing civilians. Now, unit and rank.”
Arnald fixed them in place with a sharp glare. It was clear he was used to giving orders.
“Hey, don’t tell me you’re in the military, too…?”
“This is bad. Let’s hurry up and get out of here.”
The men, now white as sheets, quickly scampered away. It was a relief that they’d realized the difference in rank before the situation had escalated any further.
Turning back to the young girl, Byletta found her gazing at Arnald in admiration.
“It’s all right now. I think you should go and find your family before anyone bothers you again.”
“Th-thank you so much!”
Snapping back to her senses, the girl bowed her head quickly and disappeared into the bustle of the streets.
“I suppose this is why Milena and the others are so attached to you,” said Arnald.
Byletta was surprised by the sudden mention of her sister-in-law.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I’ve heard some stories from Donovan as well. It appears you’ve been involved in a number of heroic exploits since you married into my family. Like saving my stepmother, looking after my lonely little sister, and helping the servants who used to cower before my father’s violence. They all love and praise you like devotees. The same thing happened back at the estate the other day. You’re the kind of person who seduces others quickly.”
“I’m not seducing anyone!”
What kinds of things were the servants telling him?
As Byletta turned red, trying to deny his words, Arnald chuckled. It seemed something had amused him.
“Now I have seen the reason for that adoration myself. It’s no surprise that others feel grateful upon receiving a helping hand.”
“You were the one who saved that girl. You saw the way she looked at you, did you not?”
“I…honestly did not.”