Andor.
People still trooped in and out of the great hall. The human enslaved people cleaned and made sure that people had drinks in their cups as they chatted. Iris talked to someone I had started to see around here recently. Her name was Brida, and she was the widow of one of my father's soldiers. I had no idea that she was friends with iris.
My attention was drawn to Edmund and Jennifer, who had entered the hall and were headed straight toward me. Jennifer no longer had the look of a princess, and she looked more like a shieldmaiden. She wore a simple underdress with an apron over the top and a pair of leather trousers. Her sword was by her side as well.
"I did not think that a princess could turn into a shield maiden in so little time," I said with a big smile.
She smiled back.
"A lady must become whatever she must be to survive." She answered.
I laughed.
"I trust that your training is going well," I asked.
"Yes." She answered. "I would like to take you on if given a chance."
I laughed.
Engrossed in the conversation, I did not notice Iris was standing in front of me.
She coughed slightly to get my attention, and I turned to look at her. "Kærasta, you are looking as radiant as ever," I said with a massive smile.
Iris responded with a dismissive wave of her hands. I was surprised at her reaction but kept quiet. Princess Jennifer, who noticed the awkwardness, bent her head down.
"My lady." She said.
"You must be the princess that Andor was asked to protect. I have seen you around, training with Edmund." Iris replied.
"Yes," Jenniffer answered back awkwardly.
"You are a good fighter," Iris replied.
"Thank you."
"I am afraid that I have to steal him now. You people have had him all day." Iris replied.
Edmund raised his hand in a defeated manner, and Jennifer followed suit.
"He is all yours." Said Edmund.
I smiled and got up from the chair that I was sitting on.
"Keep training hard. The stronger you feel, the stronger that you become." I said as I patted her on her shoulder.
Edmund bowed, and I said. "Thank you for training her. I recognise that you might have other things that require your time."
"My job is to serve you. And besides, I very much enjoy her company. I couldn't be doing better with my time."
The princess giggled, and Iris tugged my arm. I took that as a sign, and we walked away from Edmund and the princess.
"She is a lot prettier than you let on," Iris said. "Her eyes are gorgeous.
"It depends on what your definition of beauty is," I replied.
"What's beauty to you?" Iris asked.
"Character," I replied. "Like when you defended your father's body even in the face of death, I could have killed you that day. The strength of your character is why I fell for you." I explained.
She toyed with a lock of hair. "So, you fell for me because I am stupid?"
"I never said that," I replied.
"You didn't say that I am beautiful either. You only said that you like my character."
"Of course, you're beautiful. I'm just saying that you are more.",
I scratched my hair. She laughed and stood on her toes to plant a small kiss on my lips.
"It's the things that you least expect that make people love us." She said.
"I guess so," I replied.
"Let's find somewhere quiet to sit and talk." She replied. We strolled around until we found a tree outside the village with a broken stump. She sat first, and I followed through.
"I watched you run away from giving a judgement to those two brothers," Iris said.
"Is that what you wanted to talk about?." I asked.
"Yes." She answered. "I could tell that it troubled you. Haven't you decided what to do yet?."
"I have," I replied. "But, it feels like I pity the younger brother because his father did not value him."
Iris sighed.
"Is It a judgment if there is no empathy involved?" She asked. "You understanding exactly how it feels is more of a strength than weakness."
"I haven't thought about it that way," I replied.
"His brother is selfish, though. He wants everything." Iris said.
"Yeah. But, his father also had his reasons for not leaving anything to his second son." I explained.
"Is that how you feel about your dad?" She replied. "You feel like he had his reasons for not treating you the way you deserved."
Her sweet words sent warmth down my spine.
"No, not really," I replied.
Iris snuggled into my arms, and we sat on the tree till It was dark. I enjoyed her company more than my own. After spending a lot of time on my own, it was a welcome reprieve from the life of solitude, and she was the perfect person to wake up next to.
"You're moving to my room tonight, officially," I said.
She giggled.
"Is that on order from my alpha?"
I laughed aloud.
"Yes, it is. And there would be repercussions if you refused."
"Yes, my lord." She replied mockingly.
I held her closer, and she snuggled into my chest. She lunged up and interrupted our snuggle session; her head scrapped my jaw.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"How come you never suggested that I learn how to fight?"
"I don't know. It didn't cross my mind." I replied.
"I want to learn. I want to be able to come with you during your adventures or protect myself and your mother when you are off to your meetings." She explained.
"My mother can take her of herself. And I would never leave you unprotected." I replied.
"So the princess can learn, and I can not?" She replied.
I laughed. "You were thinking about that while I imagined the perfect life with you. Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to come into my life?."
I tooted. "Allow me to enjoy my little moments in peace."
She shook her head. "I'll begin my lessons tomorrow."
"Shhhh. We can talk about it tomorrow." I said as I glued her to my body.