They know. She knows they know.

They aren't trying to hide the fact that they know either. They are being painfully obvious. The gnawing stares. The hesitation to train her as hard as they normally do. The frequent breaks every fifteen minutes. It is annoying Delyth further as the day draws on.

When she woke up this morning— later than she normally does— she set her mind to fight through the pain. She tried to show as little expression of grimace as possible. However, she forgot one tiny detail. She underestimated the bruise around her neck against the color of her skin. Apparently, the guard squeezed against her trachea harder than she thought because the curious eyes lingering there alerted her. The thing that draws their interest is clear.

She takes note that she will either have to sew new garments with collars or have the seamstress make some.

Today, they are practising with bow and arrows, which after some time she realizes she's not good at. This gives the other guards an opportunity to take digs at her.

"Finally, something Aiken isn't good at. I was beginning to think you were inhuman," They tease and laugh together heartily.

Laughter. This is good. A distraction from their curiosity.

"We all have flaws. I told you, I'm not perfect." Is her response. She did tell them many times that she was imperfect whenever she learnt something quicker than most but they were still unconvinced.

"You're still perfect to me, Delyth. Marry me?" Ruben proposes going on one knee, his right hand extending towards her with a big flattering smile plastered on his face. She looks down at him, smiling and very entertained by him. He and the lot of them are jokers and she knows not to take them seriously.

"Imagine us having beautiful kids with your skin tone and my luscious hair. We would be the most desirable couple." He presses, selling his joke a little more. The only reason he does this is because it's fun for him and he wants to see if she will play along or deny him.

Delyth tilts her head, laughing and holding her stomach, not able to hold her laugh in any longer. "It's an amusing dream but I would have to pass."

They all snicker, nudging each other with their elbows and smirk at her. "We know who you wouldn't pass though."

She feigns confusion, removes an arrow from the quiver on her shoulder and sets it into the bow properly. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

They collectively laugh as soon as the fib leaves her mouth. She eyes them and sees some of them wiping tears from their eyes.

It's not even that funny. She sulks to herself.

She draws the arrow, points it at the target, closes one eye and holds her breath.

"C'mon, Aiken. Who do you think you're fooling? Everyone knows you and Holian fancy each other. Even the blind see it." Filip points out. At his affirmation, Delyth releases the arrow without intending to and misses the mark completely.

Filip chuckles and approaches closer beside her to taunt her. "I know you're bad but not this bad. Was it something I said?" Delyth glares at the mocking grin on his face and slaps him hard in the chest with the back of her free hand. He laughs but when he stops he sees his eyes drop to the mark around his neck.

"Stop. I see the stares and I know you want to know but it's the past and I'm fine," She reassures him, her head drops to the ground and wipes her hands on her gown.

Filip looks back at the others who are paying close attention, noticing their conversation turned to the worst.

"You've said that so many times it doesn't sound true anymore. You're not fine, Delyth. Do you have any idea how much it hurts us to see you push yourself even though you're in pain? At least tell me what happened last night after you left the room," he asks in a hushed tone, knowing that she doesn't want the others to hear.

"Let it go, Filip." She presses her hand against his cheek in a way a sister does to a brother to console him. She has already put it behind her, so she is hoping that her asking them to, will make them do the same. She looks behind him at the knights and notices one missing person.

Cillian. She hasn't seen him since—well, now that she thinks of it—the whole morning.

"Michal, where is Cillian?" Michal, as well as the rest, shuffle their feet nervously, casting their eyes to the ground. That wasn't a good sign. Where is he and what was he doing for them to have that reaction?

"Where is he?" she repeats, more firmly and side stepping Filip.

"He went to talk to Holian," Michal answers so softly, Delyth almost has to strain her ears to hear him. It doesn't take her long to connect the dots. Knowing Tiarnan, it's a wonder he hasn't stormed over here sooner. It must be taking a lot out of Cillian to keep him there—wherever he is.

"He went to tell him." Her sentence sounds more like a question and they nod in confirmation. They all know who the him is she is referring to.

"I am sorry but I have to ask Delyth. What really happened?" Ruben asks, careful not to upset her. His eyes red in anger. The looks on all their faces, tells her that they already know the answer but they're hoping they're wrong.

They are smart men. They would've been idiots to not expect it sooner. However, they thought when it did happen, they would be by her side to prevent it.

She pushes the cornrows decorated with brown beads on the ends behind her ears and smooths her loose afro hair down. She fakes a smile and shakes her head. "You can't do anything about it."

"Damn if I can't!" Tiarnan's voice bellows in the distance. She looks in the direction and sees him stomping his way over to them like a raging bull. As soon as he is in front of her, his hand reaches up to cup her face and tilts her head to the side to get a better look at the mark but it angers him further. His eyes are a furious green and the vein in the middle of his forehead looking near to burst. She removes her jaw from his hold. She catches sight of his shaking hand, displaying his poorly contained feral rage.

"Who did this to you, Delyth? And please tell me." He doesn't care how unmanly and pathetic he looks at the moment, none of it matters more than the fact that the woman he cares about is hurt.

She sighs and removes the quiver from her shoulder. "I see the matter won't be dropped any time soon so I might as well divulge without much details." Her eyes glance behind them to see Cillian joining the bunch, anticipating the answer. She pauses before she gives them an answer.

"They're dead. All of them. So, no need to dwell on it any further because it was handled and like I said, I am fine. I appreciate that you all care so much but what's happened has happened." She is glad that they all look pleased with her hedged answer. As well as proud that she managed to kill her attackers and escaped with a few bruises. However, Tiarnan still isn't.

He blinks. "All of them? I got no news that Ruadhan was dead, so it can't be all." It surprises her how still upset he was. She answered, so why is he still dissatisfied?

She steps away from him. It is her turn to be perturbed. Cillian and the other knights see that this is going to be a huge spat, so they step away slowly, giving the pair privacy to sort out their issues.

"Is that what you want to hear? That Ruadhan hurt me? Yes, Tiarnan, he had his four guards beat me in the middle of the night. I pushed them over the ledge and they fell to their deaths. No, I didn't kill Ruadhan because for one, the Tournament has not come yet and second, I would much rather leave him tormented in the mind, knowing that I killed his guards with a smile on my face."

She lets out a soft breath upon seeing the pain etched on his face. Her hand moves forward to hold his but she stops, remembering Cillian's warning. "I know you care but I am begging you to not cause any problem with him. You may hate him but he is your Ruler and if his promise was to ever be fulfilled, I would bargain with everything I have and everything I don't to trade places with you. So believe me when I say that I am beyond fine."

His stare grows harsher the more he stares on the mark but he looks away and swallows so hard, she hears it. Hence, he tries to look at anything but it. "I don't mean to upset you, it's just... I made a promise to myself ever since I saw Ruadhan's hatred for you that I would protect you. To learn about this, it feels like I failed. How can I pursue anything with you when I can't even protect you?"

It is then Delyth realizes how much deeper his anger is. "You have done more for me than I expected from anyone. Which is why I thank you. In fact, I want you to meet someone."

"Right. Ravi, I hear you call him." His gulp is almost audible when he stares at the large beast. Caution spreads across his face, looking between Delyth and a hissing Espiravit. She almost forgets that Cillian told him about the dramatic encounter.

"Yes." She confirms and approaches him confidently all while he glares at Tiarnan behind her. "Ravi, this is Tiarnan, he's Captain of the Guard and my-" She pauses, not knowing what to call him. They are more than friends but also not much of it as of yet. She gently pulls on his fur, gesturing to him to lower his head.

When he does, she whispers in his ear. "I adore him so be gentle with him, please. He's a good man." Ravi turns to look at her and whines. It is odd of her to bring a strange man to meet him after what happened with the other knights the last time.

Still, he trusts her so, he proceeds towards Tiarnan with a threatening look. Tiarnan straightens, unbothered, understanding how Exspiravit feels. When he watched how comfortable the two are around each other, he realized he has nothing to worry about. A few moments go by as they endure a long staring contest until Tiarnan speaks.

"I understand you, Ravi. Truly." Tiarnan begins, causing the large bobcat to snarl at the mention of the name Delyth uses for him. He makes a note that he doesn't allow anyone else but Delyth to call him by that name. "I saw the mark on our Delyth's neck and believe me that I was not pleased but seeing the friendship you two have, I comprehend that it is long forgiven and forgotten. So, I know you will protect her if I were to hurt, which I won't and trust you to not make the mistake of hurting her happen again. Agreed?"

Ravi tilts his head to the side, studying Tiarnan and taking heed of his words. He turns his head in Delyth's direction and nods as if to say I like this one. He snorts and lifts his paw for Tiarnan to shake. He looks behind Ravi at Delyth whose eyebrows are raised in surprise but also content that they have achieved mutual ground.

Tiarnan sets his eyes back on Ravi's piercing ones and shakes his paw. This is the beginning of the weirdest friendship he will ever have, especially for the woman he desires most in the world. But all is worth it, as long as she has that bewitching smile on her face.

26/05/22

Au revoir...

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