Delaney, Ian, and Ilona watched as the Duke walked back towards the throne room on his own. The nobles all watched him, but no one approached him, which was probably for the best.
Ilona watched him and realized this man was stronger than she had thought. All these people, his peers, were whispering and gossiping openly about him, but he passed through them with his head held high. If him fighting the dragon hadn't proven he was brave, then this certainly did. She didn't know if she would have been able to do the same.
"Come on," the Duchess said softly, turning to continue on the way they had been going, "We're going to have to find Mason's room."
Though Ian had been in the Castle before, he didn't know it well, so the Duchess led the way. By the way she looked around in confusion though, Ilona wasn't sure if she knew her way any better. No one would dare stop her, however. She was Delaney Adair, Duchess of Edgewood, and her husband was the dragon slayer.
