Now Ethyn understood Rose's subtle warning. She had been waving him off of the question, but he had ignored her. Now he would have to do what he did best. Be charming.
"Was the Mighty Silver the one to infiltrate the palace?" he asked with a lopsided grin. "My opinion on the matter is moot because I was not there to see it."
He paused for dramatic effect and then leaned forward.
"But I put it to you. The Guardian has the reputation of being little more than a shadow. If this Silver fellow can pass through walls as some have suggested, then wouldn't he enter and leave with no one being the wiser?" Since the question was rhetorical, the young man continued. "Isn't it far more likely that an imposter, whether by accident or by design, infiltrated the walls of the palace only to be discovered by our very capable Commander? If only they had caught him, we would know for sure."
"I wish Commander Borit were here to hear that. Perhaps it would finally put his paranoia about the famous cloaked vigilante to rest." Rhodri wrinkled his nose. "Though I doubt it."
"The Commander wants things to be secure. On that point, I cannot fault him," Ethyn responded. It wasn't that he wanted to compliment Borit, but insulting the Commander would be frowned upon and so he found the truest thing he could say.
"Ah yes, security!" Rhodri tapped his forehead. "You have brought up another interesting debate. How important would you say that the security of the Royal family is?"
Ethyn laid his hand across his chest. "I would say that protection of His Majesty and Her Highness is of the utmost importance. Without you both, the kingdom would be lost!"
"The princess is a most valuable jewel in the crown of Birle," Ultrian added. "She must be kept safe."
"What do you think, Sir Ashton?" Rhodri glanced at the third knight.
"I think I would not have become a knight nor have sworn my allegiance to you if I did not think protection of the monarchs was an admirable goal," Ashton answered as he raised his glass.
Rose sipped from her cup. "Hm. Protection. Security. Such noble aims, but what if this security is so suffocating that the royal being protected cannot live their life at all?"
"Then you must be doing it wrong," Ethyn could not hide his amusement at Rose's shocked face. It was clearly not the answer she had been expecting.
"How dare you tell Her Highness that she is wrong!" Ultrian began to take offense.
"I did nothing of the sort. As this was merely a 'what if', I was answering Princess Rose most honestly. I meant no disrespect." Ethyn bowed from his seat toward the blonde.
"I think I know what Sir Samberg means," Ashton tapped his chin. "Captain Rabert is worth ten regular soldiers, so by having him by your side, Your Majesty, you save yourself both man power and effort. It is far less suffocating to have one capable person following you than it is ten of lower quality."
"Sir Ashton has guessed correctly. A smaller, capable retinue will keep a person much safer than many, less trained fighters, giving both security and freedom of movement. So you see, Your Highness, if the royal feels suffocated, they merely need to adjust their strategy."
"You have given me much to think about," Rose answered vaguely. "But your logic holds some merit."
"Perhaps Her Highness needs her own version of Captain Rabert," Caitlyn looked meaningfully at the king, "Since she seems swayed by the ideas put forth by these gentlemen."
"I do not need my own captain to follow me, Father," Rose said carefully.
"Not a captain, but perhaps a personal knight! With the king's permission, many Barons hire knights to protect their daughters until they are married. I would be honored to volunteer for the task." Ultrian's face broke into a smile.
It was such a change from his neutral expression that it was nearly blinding. The other sat stunned for a moment, unable to comprehend how one man could hold so much beauty and yet still find a way to look more beautiful.
"That is most noble of you, Sir Ultrian." Rhodri seemed pleased at the notion until he looked at his daughter's face. "But you have other tasks requiring your attention. Were you not telling me this morning how much you are needed by your sick mother just now?"
The smile from Ultrian's face dimmed, and with it the light in the room dimmed also, "Indeed. I must do my duty by my mother. I may be the only one capable of such a task just now. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your blessing."
"I am most happy to oblige, Sir Ultrian. Well then, what about you, Sir Ashton?" Rhodri looked at the dark-haired knight on the other side of his daughter.
Ashton was not only handsome and a skilled swordsman, he was also very easy to get along with. Rhodri liked the idea of having him as a constant presence in the palace. In the king's mind, it was an easy choice.
"But his assignment!" Caitlyn chirped. Catching herself, she spoke more clearly. "Sir Ashton already has a very important job, Your Majesty."
"I can reassign him. After all, we have established how important this cause is. But only if he and my daughter both agree." Rhodri could see his daughter taking a sharp breath, so he continued speaking. "And I see no reason that Rose would object to giving such an honor to someone who just saved her life."
Rose tried to find an excuse. Alas, Ashton really was a perfect choice. Gallant and kind, what more could she want? She looked toward Caitlyn.
Knowing Rose's aim, the blonde had the same distressed look. But she was also stuck trying to find a decent excuse.
The king furrowed his brow at the strange silence. "Sir Ashton, is something wrong?"
The young man did seem quite pale. "Yes, Sire. You keep calling me a hero. But I am a fraud. The only reason I have accepted the praise is because I was waved off from admitting the truth. But it is time to come clean.
It was Sir Samberg who noticed the Princess's distress and pushed back his chair to come to her aid. He was already halfway around the table when I was alerted to the issue and took action. Without his notice, it is very possible the princess would have passed out, and we would not have known what was wrong. It is Sir Samberg who saved the princess by being observant, not me."
"Is this true?" Rhodri looked to Sir Samberg for confirmation.
"The Princess's safety is of the utmost importance." Ethyn looked to Rose.
His green eyes were filled with a sincerity that went so much deeper than a man doing a favor for Silver or even a knight serving his country. Ethyn had acted for the princess alone.
He had saved her…again.
Suddenly it dawned on Rose. She remembered the hand that had gently brought a cloth to her mouth while she was choking. It would have been impossible for Ashton to have both hands around her waist and hold up the timely napkin.
It was Ethyn who had caught the food lodged in her throat. And then disposed of it behind her back so she would not be embarrassed. Of course!
They locked eyes for a moment, Rose nodding her unspoken appreciation. Her cheeks burned. Now it made sense how Ethyn's soothing words had reached her ears even when it was Sir Ashton's hands which were around her waist. She realized how the redhead's scent had been mixed with the first gasp of fresh air she finally inhaled…She had not been hallucinating.
She had sensed him because…
Ethyn had been there all along.