“Open the gates. Lady Yvonne Sterling approaches.” The watchmen yelled and the gates flew open.

  “Inform the infirmary we have injured requiring immediate assistance. Call the head physician to the manor. Quick." I called upon the guards in front of me.

  "You. Head to the manor first, prepare rooms for the guests.” I pointed one of them.

  “Yes, my dy.” They ran back inside. One of them brought gurney for Leonard and took him down from his horse.

  “Please, follow me inside Lord Xavier. And Kacie you should accompany Leonard.” I moved ahead.

  “Please freshen up first. I shall have them prepare a bath for you. If you need anything call for a maid. After that we can go take a look at Leonard. The head physician must be taking care of him for now.” I wanted to get rid of these clothes as soon as possible. They reeked of blood and sweat.

  “You shall take rest. I want a maid to guide me to Leo’s chamber right this moment.” His refusal was outright.

  “Very well then. I shall see you in a while.” I signalled the maid.

  “Take your time.” Already walking away, he said. In a few strides he disappeared from the long hallway.

  I called another maid and ushered her to come. “Prepare my bath till I am talking with my father. Is he still in his chamber?”

  “Yes, my dy.” She nodded

  Considering that he did not come out of his chamber even though Lord Xavier Seymour is here. He must really be sick. I should inform him first. The bath can wait.

  I shuddered at the sudden gush of wind. The night was getting colder. Outside my father’s door I stood still for a while. I would be seeing him after three years. Even though I know that he is indifferent of my existence in this house. Is it still stupid of me to hope that he would at least greet me with warmth?

  Whatever, I shook my head and knocked at the door.

  “Enter” A groggy voice, undoubtedly my father’ was heard from the other side followed by a fit of cough.

  “Good evening father.” I bowed my head. “I was hoping to see you just as well as when I left. But I see you in your chamber instead of your office. Are you not well?”

  “I am fine. Nothing to be concerned about. Vincent has a habit of exaggerating." He wheezed. "How are you back at this hour I was expecting your arrival by tomorrow noon. I also heard commotion outside. What is happening?” His voice was still curt and stiff as ever.

  “I travelled on my mare and I was accompanied with Lord Xavier Seymour and Lord Leonard Nichos. We were attacked on Indigo Street." I scratched my palm with my nail. The bloodbath was freshly imprinted in my head.

  "We do not know the identity of those attackers. They were too bold to be considered bandits. Lord Xavier has captured one man alive for interrogation. Lord Leonard and a few of their knights have been injured. Some of their injuries were extremely serious and required urgent assistance. That is why they chose to stay here and asked for our aid. That is all my Lord.” I rattled everything like a subordinate giving report. Folding my hands in front, I was now waiting for orders.

  “Why was I not made aware of Lord Xavier’s arrival immediately? EDMUND.” He yelled for the butler. He took a second gnce at me, “since you are standing here, I presume you are all well.” It was more of a statement than a question.

  “Yes, my Lord. I sustained no injuries.”

  “Leave then. I shall be out with Edmund to greet Lord Xavier.” He pointed at the door.

  Turning around I swallowed a lump in my throat. Nothing is new. This is what you’ve always been expecting. Mumbling to myself I rushed to the bath. The smell was becoming unbearable that’s why my eyes were getting filled with water. Yes, that’s precisely it. There is no time. I must get back to the infirmary after cleaning this mess.

  ****************

  The knights made way for me to enter the room where Leonard received his necessary treatment. A waft of medicinal smell reached my nose as soon as I pushed the wooden door. It was quite with only Xavier and Kacie being inside. They both turned around hearing the door opening. I walked towards the bed and looked at the pale face of Leonard. In a very little time, his face had gone from cheerful to deathly weak. I wonder who were the people that attacked us and what was their aim?

  “How is he doing now?” I asked Kacie.

  “I have done everything I knew of. We can only wait for him to wake up to further know his situation. Although, it is already a good thing that his breathing is under control and his wound has not worsened anymore.” She appeared agitated by tonight’s events.

  “I am gd. Thank you for your immediate assistance.” I patted her shoulders. The maid had already told me the dismissal of Head Physician, Rivanfel.

  “Dinner is ready Lord Xavier. Please join us at the table. It has been a long journey.” I turned towards him, who was still cd in his dirty clothes. It was hard to discern how much of it was the real colour of his shirt. Even the golden brooch that held his velvet coat in pce near his neck was spttered with blood. He really needed a bath.

  “I am fine. I will wait here till he regains consciousness.” He pinched his forehead.

  “Kacie is looking after him very well I believe. There is no point in getting two people tired.” I said.

  “Yes, my Lord. You can leave him under my care. I assure you as soon as he is awake, I shall send for you. There is nothing you can do for now any way.” On cue, she picked my sentence.

  “Fine. Lady Sterling, lead the way.” Surrendering, he got up. “No one shall enter until we are back.” Before leaving the door, he turned back.

  “As you command, my lord.”

  I lead him to the guest room, right across the dining hall.

  “I have prepared this room for you to stay in tonight since it has gotten te. The servants have drawn a bath for you. You shall find new clothes inside. If there is anything else you require, you can ask Edmund.” I made way for him to enter the chamber.

  “I am thankful for your hospitality. I shall join you at the dinner shortly.” He nodded.

  When the sun rose this morning, I had no idea the day will lead me to such exhaustion. There are so many questions in my mind. I thought as I walked to the dining room, waiting for the Son of the Duke, just like everyone else.

  Vincent was still away for inspection. Hopefully he will arrive tomorrow safely. I do not want to deal with anything for some time now. Staring out of the rge windows my mind was preoccupied with all sorts of thoughts.

  ************

  The dinner went without a hitch. Lord Xavier expined the whole situation and asked from father to keep maximum security in the dungeons. He will leave tomorrow with the prisoner and the interrogation will be conducted in the Seymour Mansion. The amount of food he ate was in no way enough for a grown man, but considering how tensed he was I am gd he at least did not go of hungry. As the st dishes were being cleared out to make space for desserts, a knight made his way in.

  “My Lord. The healer has requested your presence in the medicine chamber. Lord Leonard is regaining consciousness.”

  “I appreciate this great feast you prepared despite our unexpected arrival. I shall excuse myself now. You do not need to leave your dinner to accompany me.” Xavier stopped my father, when he saw him getting up from the table. However, father eyed me to follow him. And so, albeit begrudgingly, I left my beloved pudding, I had been missing for so long to go after the him

  I took leisure steps to walk around the hallway to the guest room where they had shifted Leonard after treatment. As I turned the corner, I came across Kacie emerging from the door, closing them behind her.

  “Lord Xavier requested some privacy.” Walking towards me, she expined with fidgety fingers. “Umm… Lady Yvonne…”

  “Go on. Say whatever is on your mind.”

  “If it is not imposing, can I stay the night here? It has gotten te.”

  “I had to call you back tomorrow anyway. Stay the night. I will ask the servants to prepare a room nearest to me. Send word to your home. Your mother must have been worried.” Her smile faltered at the mention of her mother. But she composed herself and nodded enthusiastically.

  “Sorry for all the trouble.” She had barely gotten any time to herself since the incident and this is all she worries about. Vexed, I flicked her forehead.

  “I will take my revenge for this. Now I will make you tell me everything about your training and pester you until you throw me out.” She huffed.

  “You were going to do that regardless of this, you nuisance.” Her snicker reminded me of a kid caught in act of mischief. It ended up making me ugh too.

  Grating of the door put a stop to our banter. With his tall frame, he paused for a moment in the door. Our presence took him by surprise maybe.

  “I am thankful for both of your help today.” The words of gratefulness sound so foreign coming from him.

  “It was our duty, my lord. You have had a long day. Kindly rest for the night. You need not be worried about the security.” I wanted him to go to bed so I can rest too.

  “Yes, I shall retire for the night. Have a good night’s sleep.” He moved in the opposite direction.

  “God. I am so tired.” As soon as he left my sight, I yawned and stretched my hands over my head.

  “Your support was immensely appreciated today. Thank you for always managing to be by my side when I need you.” I took Kacie’s hands in mine.

  “What are you talking about my dy. The pleasure is always mine.” Her face curved in a small smile.

  “Let us head to the room. I will then have a talk with you tomorrow with a fresh mind.” She nodded along.

  “Good night my dy.”

  “Good night, Kacie.” I closed the door. The moment my head hit the pillow; my world went dark