A Vow under the Moonlight

Chapter 7: Unsettling

Time passes by fast when you get your hand full. Cassandra managed to rally enough villagers to help out preparing for a simple feast for the parade of knights. Coordinating with servants with minute details to make things decent enough.

Keith, on the other hand, was making sure that his men would at least be presentable. Battle-ridden or not, those stationed at outposts like the one they are currently at lack the exercise that those out in the field do. He wanted to let his lord see that they are not slacking their training for being stationary.

Time passes by fast when you are preoccupied with things. Cassandra barely sat on a stool before she started to hear the bellow of a horn signifying the arrival of the parade. Sighing deep, she stood up again as she signaled a servant to escort her Keith to welcome the duke.

Keith looked much more presentable now. He was wearing a knight's uniform, distinguished only by the coat of arms he carries at this moment, which was his barony's symbol. A proud red wolf with bared teeth and all sharp claws in view.

"You look presentable," Cassandra commented as the man stiffly took his sword from a servant.

"Don't tease me," Keith replied as he had the sword sheath at his side. "If not necessary, I'd rather not wear these any day or time. They do not allow me to move as I please."

"Well, being on the battlefield requires flexibility." Cassandra looked away and found her eyes at the parade looming closer. All wearing formal attire, banners dancing in the wind. Fine steeds marching with momentum that screams power and wealth. "Anything grander in a fight is more of a burden than an asset."

Keith did not respond and only took a step outside the outpost. Cassandra remained inside, though visible to the outside. She stood at a dignified distance as a knight disembarked and greeted Keith, who was waiting for them to approach.

She could hear them talking; her sense was sharp enough to know that the man who approached was actually a comrade that Keith had been with during expeditions. There was a brief word shared in short moments for pleasantries before they talked about the arrival of the lord and their intent to settle briefly in the territory. Watching Keith as he gave consent and motioned his servant to let them guide them to the territory.

As if waiting for such a gesture, the rest of the parade slowly advanced.

Cassandra's eyes were drawn to the blond hair of a familiar figure leading the parade. He looked gallant and more impressionable as he rode his black stallion. His uniform bore his house's symbol, a sleeping golden dragon surrounded with thorns.

Her gaze might be too obvious, as the man was quick to notice her. Their eyes met halfway before Cassandra looked away. Those blue eyes were too penetrating; they made her feel naked and vulnerable. A feeling she does not want to experience or be under again.

Instructing the servants, she once again rode her carriage as they advanced earlier than the rest of the parade. She had to reach the mansion before they did. She has to welcome them as the host of the house, as she was tasked to do.

Thankfully the parade moved considerately, neither fast nor slow.

Once she disembarked the carriage, Cassandra was quick to instruct the servants to line up at the entrance to welcome their guest. Instructing them to make minor adjustments from their earlier arrangement, she stood at the entrance like a lady of the house as she welcomed returning soldiers from fighting.

The lesser knights were taken care of by the servants, while the duke had to be personally attended to by her. This is one of the reasons why the other family members are not appropriate to come out and assist Keith in this task. Most of them are unwedded, and close proximity to someone of this man's standing is deferential to their futures.

"We met again," Alister said as he took her hand for a kiss. His eyes never left her as he placed his lips on the back of her hand. "Never thought you were related to this man's family. He is mostly silent about the people of his house."

"Because there is no need for me to share such information, my lord," Keith said as he gently nudged Cassandra to stand behind him. "My family prefers to be peaceful. Sharing information with others defeats the purpose of being peaceful."

"Your wife will tell you otherwise," Alister offhandedly remarked. "In the north, there was no one who loves sharing words about themselves more than her."

Keith clamps to that jab and could only step back from talking more. His face is more or less not bearable to look at currently. These family matters are really hard to talk about, especially when it involves his wife.

"Enough of it, your grace." Cassandra spoke as she stepped out of Keith's protection. "I'm sure that everyone is tired at the moment and famished from such a long journey. We've prepared a modest feast for you and your men, your grace."

The man smiled at her fearless stance. He didn't seem to mind Keith's gloom. Instead, he seems to relish her attention over the fact he had made his knight mad.

"Anything the lady says," Alister said as he positioned himself at the woman's side. "Please don't mind me imposing on you now."

"...worry not, you are not imposing on my grace."

"That is great to hear," the blond said as he offered his arm to escort her. "Would you give me the honor?"

Reluctantly, Cassandra placed a hand on the man's arm. It was not in line with etiquette, but she could sense he was not taking a no for an answer. She had once rejected the man's offer; another one will really wound someone of his standing's pride.

At the back of her head, she could feel Keith's worried eyes trailing at her as they navigated the halls. If the duke didn't have his attention on her, she would have given her poor cousin some reassurance. Unfortunately, the blonde is attentive to where her notice fell.

With silence they arrived at the banquet hall, where a feast was laid upon. Dozens of servants carrying trays after trays of dishes to the magnificent long table. Some of them carry beverages of all kinds, all ready to serve for the comfort of their guests.

"You've outdone yourself, my lady," Alister said with obvious delight in his tone. "I know my presence here is nothing but a short notice. Preparing all these in a tight time, you have my compliment."

"You flatter me, my lord," Cassandra said as she took the man's words as a grain of salt. "I just did what I should as a host would."

"Plenty of people cannot pull off something like this even with ample time for preparation." The man looked at the baron at the side, who looked painfully ashamed at what the duke was hinting at. After all, his wife has recently tired herself out preparing a ball, which impressed no one but perhaps the guest from afar who favored her flair.

Before things tookan even sourer turn of events, the knights arrived in batches. Their presence washed the tension as they filled the room with energy. They are loud and jolly; it reminded Cassandra of when her family used to gather together at dinners. No silence, only the sound of people making noises signifying and comforting each other that they are alive and well.

She found herself integrating with them. Listening with rapport as they tell her tales of gallantry, victory, and adventure. Watching them fooling around like they are not men ready to die the moment they set forth on an expedition. Their energy infects her, making her long for the time when she follows her on a hunt and earns her game.

The hall was filled with laughter; it lulled Cassandra into a comforting ease. Momentarily forgetting a certain man observing her every move, she just enjoyed herself in the company of men and women who were full of life.

"Do you like lively scenes, my lady?" Alister asked Cassandra when she went to a corner where she could see everything that was happening.

"Who would hate lively events, your grace?" Cassandra countered with a question of her own. She took a sip of mead; she might have drunk a little too much because she felt a little lightheaded. "Lively happenings are called lively for a reason. It's proof that people are alive and doing well."

"Suppose there is no denying that logic." The duke chuckled at her response. "Compared to the silence of the absence of people, having this noise is better."

"As a man of war, you can see it more clearly than anyone how this is a blessing." Cassandra put aside her mead and met the blonde's probing blue eyes. "Why ask me such a question, a mere woman who might not answer your inquiries to your liking?"

Something in the man's gaze seems to shift as she could sense him being genuine. In their brief acquaintance, she felt him having a layer of mask to hide what he felt and truly thought of. If she was not familiar with someone who was almost similar to how he acted in her childhood, she wouldn't notice.

Not to mention, at times, the manner is more telling than any words or actions could ever be.

"You sure are sharp." The man is now grinning widely at her. "You have not missed a beat so far. I think I've been enough of a gentleman enough to be less of a harm in your mind. If you don't mind, for a moment can we have a private moment alone?