“I sent a message to His Highness,” Kenny said, casually stretching the wrist that was tightly gripping his practice sword.
The morning sun was just beginning to rise over the snow-dusted training grounds of the Lord’s Castle. A heavy morning mist stubbornly refused to clear, hanging low over the courtyard and lending a beautifully serene atmosphere to the early hours.
“About what?” Stella asked. Holding her own sword in hand, she smiled and stretched her elbow across her chest.
Kenny offered a teasing grin. “About how hopelessly in love His Lordship has fallen for Her Ladyship.” He let out a loud chuckle.
Stella suddenly charged straight at him, swinging her blade. Dodging the strike by a hair's breadth, Kenny quickly added, “He doesn’t believe a single word I wrote, though!”
“Of course he doesn’t! He has never shown even a shred of romantic interest in anyone before, after all,” Stella replied.
Spinning on her heel, she sharply swept her leg low to trip him. Just as he was about to lose his balance and fall, Kenny flipped his entire body through the air, stabilizing his footing on the snowy ground just as Stella’s sword came swinging toward his chest again.
Shing!
He countered the strike cleanly with his own blade. “It’s not like the commander had many opportunities to meet decent people while stuck on a brutal battlefield,” he pointed out.
Stella smirked, expertly rotating her hilt to alter the direction of her blade mid-swing. “As if? Look who's talking.”
Dodging the incoming steel instantly, Kenny countered by sweeping his leg toward Stella’s ankles. “Oh, come on! Our case is completely special.”
Stella backed up rapidly to escape the sweep, dropping low and rolling across the frozen ground to gain distance.
“So, now only the Third Prince is left single from our old core group,” Stella chuckled, pushing herself back up into a solid stance.
Kenny charged forward, his blade raised. “Which is honestly hilarious, given how much of a shameless flirt he naturally is.”
Shing!
Both swords collided once more, clashing fiercely against each other for a few tense seconds. The sharp, metallic ring of the steel seemed to reverberate across the courtyard, momentarily parting the dense morning mist.
With that final exchange, they both lowered their stances and brought the duel to an end.
“It’s getting rarer and rarer for me to get a proper spar in with you these days,” Kenny murmured. Sheathing his sword, he stepped into her space and leaned down, planting a soft kiss on her cheek and then along her neck.
Stella nonchalantly wiped down her blade with a cloth, though a small smile played on her lips. “And whose fault is that? You have been entirely too busy running around recently...”
She put her sword aside and turned fully toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck to kiss him passionately for a few deep seconds before finally breaking away for air.
“I really don't want to go anywhere or do any work today... what do you say...?” Kenny whispered. His hand smoothly found its way toward her waist, sliding slightly beneath her shirt to feel her warmth.
Stella let out a soft sigh, playfully pushing his face away, though she didn't bother removing his hand from inside her shirt. “I sadly can’t take a break today. It’s an incredibly important day.” She adjusted her uniform, continuing, “I have to accompany Her Ladyship to the chapel today. The community chicken coop is officially being launched this morning.”
Finally drawing his hand back, Kenny let out a disappointed sigh of his own. But suddenly, a bright idea struck him, and his expression perked up.
“Then... what if I just joined you guys for the day?”
“So... Mister Kenny, you are accompanying us today to advise on how the community coop is constructed?” Francesca asked as the carriage rattled along the path, sitting comfortably opposite Stella and Kenny.
“Yes, your Ladyship. And to be completely honest, I also just wanted an excuse to spend some quality time with Stella, given that we have both been deeply consumed by our respective roles recently,” Kenny replied with a warm smile, casting a sidelong glance at Stella.
Stella maintained a stern expression, though a faint, telltale blush crept up her neck. “You don’t have to accommodate him if it displeases you, my Lady. I am perfectly fine either way,” she noted, trying to preemptively dismiss any potential discomfort or bother Francesca might feel.
But Francesca cut her off with an understanding smile. “I completely understand, Stella. I don’t get to spend nearly as much time with Miller as I'd like either, purely because of our responsibilities consuming our time.”
“Days like these are rare, so you have to make the most of them when you can,” Francesca finished. Finally sensing a golden opportunity to get some playful payback for all of Stella’s morning teasing for the past few days, her smile turned into a knowing smirk. “So, Mister Kenny... When exactly do you suppose you will tie the knot? I can help with a ring if you want. Are you going to keep this lovely maiden waiting forever?”
“Y-your Ladyship!” Stella rebuked instantly, her cheeks turning a bright crimson the second Francesca finished speaking.
“Hmm.” Kenny’s expression turned mock-serious as he looked toward the heavily blushing maid. His lips curled into a matching smirk. “I don’t know, your Ladyship... I am actually just waiting for her to make the first move. After all, isn't it usually the woman who seduces the man into her bed?”
“Kenny!”
Stella’s face looked as though it were about to explode from sheer embarrassment and shyness. Francesca burst out laughing, thoroughly delighted to see the usually unshakeable and composed Stella reduced to such a flustered state by her own logic.
The lighthearted mood shifted as the carriage slowed to a smooth stop. Taking her cane and accepting a stabilizing hand from Stella, Francesca stepped down from the compartment and looked over the chapel’s courtyard. The expansive grounds had been meticulously cleared of snow, and rows of wooden chairs had been arranged for the occasion.
The seats were packed with local citizens participating in the project. The moment the members of the chicken association spotted her arrival, they all stood up in unison.
“Your Ladyship!” they called out, bowing their heads in deep respect.
As Francesca walked into the courtyard to return their greetings, her eyes scanned the crowd, slightly freezing on a particular figure she absolutely didn’t expect to see.
Lord Edward? she muttered under her breath, her analytical mind instantly sharpening. The bald man, one of the prominent members of the Vassal Council, was sitting quietly among the commoners.
“Since Her Ladyship has arrived, I believe we can all begin taking our seats,” Priest Roland announced, walking up to a small, temporary wooden stage with a warm, welcoming smile. “Your Ladyship, your designated seat as our official advisor is right up here.”
Gesturing toward a comfortable chair positioned at the center of the stage, Priest Roland called her forward. Francesca nodded, moving toward the steps. Before she could even struggle against the incline, a few nearby citizens stepped forward and hurriedly, respectfully helped her onto the stage without much of visible prejudice. She rewarded them with a genuine, grateful smile.
Settling into her seat, she cast another guarded glance down toward Lord Edward.
Now, what exactly is the Vassal Council plotting this time? Francesca thought, a cold, dangerous edge entering her resolve. Whatever political game you want to play, Lord Edward... I dare you to try and mess with our people's survival any further.
Slicking back her inner defenses, she offered the crowd a simple, flawless noble smile. “Let us begin the assembly whenever you wish, Association Leader.”