Nicolaus had finally recognized Talon's face. He remembered him being clingy with the twins, especially to Mikael. At least, that was how Mikayla had told him when they were meeting.
Nicolaus remembered something else, too. Whenever he met Mikayla, she would often spot her twin brother Mikael.
Sometimes, they would catch glimpses of Mikael in the backyard from the hallway. Or, at the gazebo, they would see him walking through the corridor, his figure passing by the windows. And every time, Talon was right there beside him.
Interesting.
"What were you discussing?" Nicolaus asked, his gaze penetrating. His voice pulled Mikael from his thoughts.
Mikael's jaw tightened as he fought to maintain his composure. He mumbled, "Can you stop?" with a forced smile as a facade to cover his annoyance beneath his face.
He shot a quick glance at Talon in the corner of his eye, surprised to find a stoic expression on his friend's face that something he had not seen on him.
Nicolaus' voice was a low whisper as he leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against Mikael's ear. "What are we mumbling about?" His words were laced with amusement, a hint of smugness that set Mikael on edge.
Mikael's frustration mounted, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes in annoyance. Mikael took a steadying breath, his gaze flickering between Talon and Nicolaus. "Just take your hands off," he replied, mumbling back.
Nicolaus' lips curled into a knowing smile, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Why, though?"
His mind whirled as he tried to make sense of Nicolaus' behavior. He found himself baffled, struggling to comprehend how someone could easily switch between different personalities.
Nicolaus' ability to seamlessly shift from mischievous to serious and don a blank expression on his face in a matter of seconds left Mikael baffled.
He had witnessed Nicolaus' playful side, the one that seemed to enjoy toying with Mikael's emotions. But there were moments when Nicolaus would shift to a more serious demeanor, leaving Mikael unsure how to respond.
A cough marked Talon's attempt to break the atmosphere, a momentary pause that allowed him to regain his composure. With a nod toward Nicolaus, he began to speak, his voice measured.
"Good day, Marquess," Talon greeted, his tone carrying a mixture of formality and politeness. "I am Talon."
Nicolaus acknowledged Talon's introduction with a subtle inclination of his head, his gaze remaining steady as he listened to the young man's words.
"I hope I am not interrupting anything important," Talon continued, his eyes briefly flickering toward Mikael before returning to Nicolaus. "I would like to know if you might be looking to hire a knight for the Marchioness."
For someone to stroll in and openly propose becoming the Marchioness' knight, bold was an understatement to describe this guy.
Talon might not have realized that Nicolaus already had many skilled knights to choose from for the position. Considering the capable choices on hand, Talon's proposition would be a splash of ice water on the face.
And do not forget, he would be stepping into a field where excellence was the standard. Nicolaus didn't even have a clear idea of the depth of experience, background, and skills this ambitious guy could bring to the table.
"No, I'm not."
Nicolaus withdrew his hand from Mikael and crossed his arms over his chest. He found it interesting how Talon seemed attached to Mikael like glue.
Now, now, there had to be more beneath the surface.
"Even if I consider it, what reason do I have to employ you?" Nicolaus questioned. "I've already got a selection of knights among my men."
Talon's brows knitted in response to the straightforward refusal, his determined expression showing a crack.
"Well," Talon started, his voice stable despite the setback. "I might not have an impressive background." He shifted his gaze between Nicolaus and Mikael, his eyes communicating an unspoken message. "But what I do have is unwavering loyalty."
Nicolaus observed Talon's expression, his look searching. The guy had guts, and Nicolaus had to credit him for that. However, loyalty alone would not suffice.
"I have men who've been with me since we were young. They were also loyal to me and, consequently, would be loyal to my wife," Nicolaus said. "You're not a special case."
The silence settled in the room. Nicolaus, though firm with his rejection, could not deny that he liked people with guts.
Yet, just as he was about to continue the conversation, he could sense Mikael's eyes on him. Their gazes met briefly before Mikael quickly averted his eyes, looking away.
"But," Nicolaus continued, breaking the silence and placing his hand again on Mikael, "given that you used to serve as my wife's knight, I would recruit you as one of my soldiers."
Mikael's surprise was evident as he looked back at Nicolaus, his eyes wide. The decision had caught him completely off guard.
On the other hand, Talon's face brightened. Though the knit of his eyebrows showed his distaste for the idea, a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes as Nicolaus kept speaking.
"If you manage to catch my interest and prove that you are more skilled than my current knights, then I might consider letting you become my wife's knight again," he stated.
As Nicolaus decided, he caught Mikael's hand gently and brought it close to his lips, planting a soft kiss against his skin.
In that instant, while he carried out this gesture, Nicolaus noticed something interesting. He caught sight of Talon from the corner of his eye, witnessing the clenching of his jaw and a change in his expression that carried a suggestion of something Nicolaus couldn't ignore.
"Cade," Nicolaus called, and almost immediately, the door swung open to reveal Cade, who had been waiting just outside. "Organize the documents and show him to his quarters."
Secretary Cade nodded and gestured for Talon to follow him. As they were about to exit the room, Nicolaus caught Talon stealing a quick glance back at them as he departed.
Without hesitation, Nicolaus used the chance to verify something and see Talon's reaction. He climbed onto the couch, positioning himself over Mikael to enclose him between his arms, pinning him against the cushion.
In that brief moment before the door shut, Nicolaus discerned the answer he was looking for in Talon's face.
"Hey!" Mikael protested. His hand pushed against Nicolaus' chest in an attempt to free himself.
But his effort only succeeded in making Nicolaus chuckle. He couldn't help but find Mikael's small and cute grapples endearing.
Mikael scrunched his face in frustration, realizing how much Nicolaus was enjoying this. Mikael continued to push against him, determined to regain some personal space, but Nicolaus would not budge.
"Are you sure you should be in condition to see guests?" Nicolaus asked, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.
He bent down and kissed the creasing line between Mikael's brows. Then, he leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Upset you were separated from your dear friend just for a moment? You'll see him every day from tomorrow."
The moment Nicolaus pulled away, Mikael brushed the spot where Nicolaus had kissed his forehead roughly. He spoke, stuttering, "I, I was going to tell you–"
But Nicolaus interjected. He rose from the couch and stood. "Have you prepared your things? Did Cade tell you we will be leaving tomorrow?"
"Yes," Mikael responded, getting up from the couch and sitting upright.
Nicolaus looked at him thoughtfully and said, "Well, you should be. I have to head back to Odelle soon."
Wasting no time, Nicolaus left the guest area, leaving Mikael alone on the couch. He didn't even bother to shut the door behind him, leaving it ajar.
Mikael remained on the couch, still brushing off the spot where he had been kissed. The warmth that had started at his forehead had now spread to his cheeks, the tingling sensation leaving him flustered.