[Ridge]
I hate this guy. I take back every nice thing I ever said about him supporting me. All that crap about him keeping me company throughout my childhood can die. All I want is sleep. I've spent all day socializing with men I don't know, and working my butt off. I'm done.
"Hey, Sir Ri-" He starts.
"Get out."
"What-"
"No."
"Hey!"
"Out."
"Just Wait-"
"Ughhhhh." I drag my hands down my face dramatically, "Leave!"
"No." Now that he's seen I'm not actually mad or anything he's not going anywhere. I should've just decked him. At least then I could've dragged his unconscious body out of my room. I don't think that scenario would play out as well while he's awake though.
"Fine, but I'm tired, so I'm not talking to you." I whine, face planting beside him on the mattress. This is the softest thing I've ever felt in my life. I'd gotten so used to straw beds and stone floors before. I don't think I'd be able to live without this bed at this point, so I should probably work harder to avoid getting fired.
"I can't stay anyway, I have a meeting with the Duke." He sighs, leaning back to lay next to me, like he didn't just say one of the Kingdom's most influential men is waiting for him.
"Wow that really sucks, you should probably get going then." I suggest monotonously.
"I'm hurt, you would send me away to deal with that man, rather than let me entertain you." He covers his wounded heart in a flamboyant fashion.
"One, 'that man' is your father. And two, you'd have to actually be entertaining to entertain me." He gasps and punches me lighted in the arm. Unfortunately, it's the same one he shoved into the wall earlier, and the same one I then overworked during training, so I wince.
"What's wrong with your arm." That was not a question, it was a demand. The playfulness drains from his voice, and it becomes steadily serious.
"It's not a big deal, it's your fault really, for slamming me into a stone wall while I was covered in mail." I spit a little too quickly. He narrows his eyes before offering another smile and changing his mood again.
"If you say so. I should get going, wouldn't want dear old Dad to get worried." He used my knee to push himself off the bed, so I kick him lightly in the butt on his way out.
"Hey, come to supper tonight?" I extend. I know I'm always hard on him, so I need to give a little every once in a while.
"You bet." Then he's gone, and I'm alone in my room with my thoughts. I should be used to watching that smile leave by now, but I'm getting tired of always seeing it right before he leaves me behind. Maybe that's why I bully him so much, so I don't have to see that face every time he walks out of a room.
That doesn't mean I want him to make that other face though. The one where he looks worried and angry all at the same time. Like when he punched me and I reacted a minute ago.
That's how he found out what was happening at the Academy during my first year. A simple mindless move like that, and he discovered the bruises raking up and down my entire body. After he hounded me into telling him how I got them, he made me swear to never let it happen again. That was just one of my many promises to him.
We didn't really talk about it, other than my initial explanation, but I think it's made him paranoid. Ever since then, if something like today happens, like some unknown pain showing up on my body, he freaks out. Not even in his normal over the top Kadeeth way, he gets calm and serious. It honestly scares me more than if he yelled or something, at least then I could yell back, but when he does this all I can do is try to assure him as quick as possible and move on.
A single, sturdy knock on the door pulls me out of my own swirling head. I get up, realizing I haven't slept a wink, and trudge to greet my summoner. Turns out it's a not-so-drunk-anymore Sir Kierce.
He's a burly man, covered from head to toe in corded muscle. A long brown beard hands well below his chest, split into three different braids and almost reaching around where his belly button should be. He's in casual wear, which includes tall brown leather boots and a too small red shirt.
"Supper's at eight." His voice matches his gruff exterior.
"Okay. Lead the way?" I arch an eyebrow in question. His only response is to nod. A man of few words, my kind of guy.
Actually I tend to attract extroverts, like Kadeeth and Martina. Quiet people are such a relief though. I'm probably somewhere in between, but that's all thanks to years of dealing with Kadeeth. Otherwise I might have turned out more like Kierce here.
I follow him through the labyrinth of corridors until we arrive at the open arch of the servants dining hall. I actually know how to get here on my own, but I figured asking Sir Kierce to show me would be less awkward than me just following behind him like a nervous puppy.
Our dining hall is smaller than the Riddothas great hall, but it's still substantial enough to fit most of the staff housed in the Manor. Most people who work here during the day and leave at night eat in their own homes. Four long tables and several smaller round ones pack the bustling room. Guards and servants alike are packed uncomfortably close together while laughing loudly and gossiping about this and that.
In observing the room I lost my chance to follow Sir Kierce to his seat. Now it would be weird if I sauntered up to him and tried to squeeze in at his already overflowing table. Shit, am I going to end up tucked in the corner somewhere until Kadeeth magically shows up to save me? This isn't the Academy anymore, I need to learn how to make friends.
I suck in a sharp breath and look around until I spot a familiar mop of blonde hair. I stare at the side of his face until he senses eyes on him and turns to catch my gaze.
"Ridge, over here!" Martina smiles warmly and waves me over. I settle down next to him as his neighbor makes room on the bench.
"Thanks." I acknowledge both of them.
"No problem! Food will be ready in a bit, it's usually late since the family has to be served first." Martina explains.
I make a noise of understanding and try to offer up a friendly smile. I can do this. Martina's easy to talk to, and I'm sure he'd be more than happy to introduce me to some of his other companions. I'll just make some friends and wait for Kadeeth to get here.
God, I wish he was here.