Page 38 of Quest for her Knights
“Of course not, Your Highness,” he says with wide eyes.
“Your Highness, dinner will be served in about ten minutes,” the cook says nervously.
“Very well, we’ll take our tea in the dining room.” She turns back to a wide-eyed Marigold and smiles. “Well, Marigold, no time like the present, I guess. Shall we?” she says, motioning to the door.
“What?” she asks, looking like she was being led to the slaughter.
“You heard him, it’s time for dinner.”
“Oh, I… I couldn’t. I… I’m not of noble blood.” So, that answers the question, she wasn’t a lady. Probably the daughter of a local family.
“Do you not eat dinner, Marigold?” Elora asks, raising an eyebrow at her, and I hear Arrow snort at her question. When she doesn’t answer, Elora gently places her arm around her shoulders and leads her from the kitchen. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispers before looking back at us. “Can one of you lead us to the dining room, please? I’m afraid I’m a bit turned around.”
I’ve never heard her act and speak like such royalty before. I guess my lesson paid off. And although I knew she was putting on an act with a brave face, I’m still impressed by her control of what is a bad situation for her.
“Of course,” Blaze says, moving to the lead with Arrow. Draven and I take up the rear as we silently walk to the dining room. When we enter, the four lords stand up, and when they take in Elora, with her arm wrapped around Marigold, their eyes widen and their jaws drop.
Nobody says anything as Elora marches them up to the head of the table and looks at each man.
“Gentlemen. I’ve met your friend, Marigold. She told me something interesting, and I wanted to confirm it.” Marigold practically shakes under her arm, so Elora removes it and grips the back of a chair instead.
“Please, be honest with me. Do you love her?”
“Yes,” Donald says instantly, making the other three turn to him in surprise.
“Donald!” Byron hisses.
“No, don’t get mad at him. I wanted the truth. Thank you, Donald. If you love her, then what am I even doing here?” she asks, getting to the heart of the problem.
Archie clears his throat before he speaks. “Your Highness, your visit was arranged before we even knew Marigold. But we met her soon after, and we fell… quickly. Still, it would be a dishonor not to take your visit seriously. You are a princess, after all.”
“Are you saying you’d choose me over her because of my title?” she asks, sounding angry.
“We would never disrespect you by turning you down,” he corrects.
Elora’s face relaxes a bit. She looks down at the chair for a moment before pulling it out and all but pushing Marigold into it.
“Let me make this easy for you. I reject you. Now, please enjoy dinner with your… girlfriend. If you could have food for the five of us sent up to my room, I would appreciate it. I’d like to spend the rest of the evening in my suite, and we will be departing first thing in the morning.” She nods her head once and turns toward us, quickly making her exit.
Draven moves ahead, leading the way as the rest of us surround her, silently marching through the castle like she’s on a mission.
The second Blaze closes the door of her suite, Arrow lets out a big laugh, wrapping his arms around her waist and spinning her around. “Elora, that was fucking amazing!”
“Arrow! Language!” I chastise him, making them both roll their eyes at me.
“You think so?” she asks as he sets her on her feet and steps back.
“Oh yeah, you perfectly put them in their place in such an elegant way.”
“He’s right, Princess. You somehow came out of this as kind and benevolent while chastising them for treating both of you that way,” I tell her with a smile.
Her shoulders sag as she smiles up at me. “I don’t want to waste time with anybody who isn’t really interested in me. I’ve done enough of that in the past. And the fact that they thought they needed to pick me over her because of my status… Just no. Gross.”
This woman was remarkable. I have no idea how the class system could mean so little to her. It made this mission of ours even harder, as she was just as likely to fall for the butlers as she was the lords.Or her knights.
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts, and I move to answer it. Our dinner and tea are brought in, and after the man leaves, we all sit around the living area, eating quietly.
“I’m sorry it didn't work out with them, Princess,” Blaze tells her gently.
