A New Accord
1107 Words
Malory’s POV:
I was immensely grateful for his unexpected tenderness at that moment, which allowed me to pull myself out of the sudden, crushing wave of grief.
“I suppose I completely misjudged your character,” I whispered softly, looking up at Caspian. “Thank you for being so thoughtful tonight.”
He let out a soft laugh, his eyes warm. “Don’t let it weigh on your mind. If anyone ever dares to mistreat you again, you just tell me. I’ll make sure they pay for it.”
A genuine chuckle escaped my lips, and I extended my hand toward him. “In that case, I will reluctantly accept you as a true friend.”
His palm was broad, warm, and calloused as he gripped my hand in a firm, reassuring shake.
“Alright, where are you planning to take me next?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. Seeing him in this new light made the prospect of continuing our evening far more appealing.
He didn’t answer right away, observing me closely instead. “Are you certain you want to stay out? You don’t have to force yourself if you’d rather find a quiet place to unwind.”
“I definitely want to go for a drive. Lead the way, General,” I replied, giving his arm a playful pat.
We set off again. With my guard finally down, I allowed myself to fully absorb the stunning scenery passing outside the car window. My parents had been right; I had been carrying far too much tension, and I genuinely needed an opportunity to breathe. Since Caspian stubbornly refused to reveal our destination, trying to guess where we were heading based on the changing roadside landscape became a fun game.
Eventually, we pulled up to the gates of a vast private estate. He casually mentioned that it belonged to his family, Duke Frank’s line. The grounds were immense, populated by various gentle livestock. I ended up following him around as we fed the sheep and cattle, and he even helped me saddle a horse for a quick ride. Once I lowered my defenses, I realized he possessed a brilliant, infectious sense of humor. He shared local folklore, recounted thrilling military exploits, and kept me laughing with sharp, witty observations.
Tucked under the wide canopy of an ancient oak tree, he found a wooden swing set. He patiently pushed me for ages, eventually producing a wooden basket overflowing with freshly picked blueberries. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt so thoroughly unburdened and carefree.
“How about we find a proper local spot for dinner?” he suggested, launching into an absurdly exaggerated critique of his family’s estate chef. Fighting back my laughter, I agreed and followed him to a charming, bustling tavern in the heart of the city district.
The moment we stepped inside, it was obvious he was a regular patron. The waiter approached our table with a familiar smile. “The usual order, Commander?”
As we took our seats, several patrons paused to nod respectfully or exchange quick greetings with him. Many were clearly active military personnel, some even wearing official uniforms. His immense popularity here made complete sense. Despite being the son of a high Duke, he preferred to set aside his aristocratic privileges, training relentlessly on the front lines and earning his reputation through genuine martial triumph. He had earned every bit of their respect.
“Eventually, yes, but let us allow this exquisite lady to place her order first,” Caspian instructed smoothly.
I stared down at the menu, instantly hit with my usual indecisiveness. Choosing food had never been my strong suit.
Caspian didn’t mock me. Instead, he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a warm whisper. “How about a thick beef sandwich and a fresh mug of draft ale? It’s a tragedy I’m driving tonight, otherwise we could both indulge a little.”
“I’ll take the sandwich recommendation, but I think I’ll hold off on the ale for now,” I replied with a grin. “It hardly feels fair to drink while my designated driver stays sober.”
He squinted his eyes, his smile widening into something genuinely disarming. When he wasn’t actively trying to put on a show, he was remarkably grounding. Caspian had quickly become my very first real friend in this royal territory—a truth I resolved to keep to myself, lest his head swell even further.
The waiter returned shortly with a massive tray, placing a towering, delicious sandwich in front of me that instantly made my mouth water. Along with it, he set down a single glass of amber wine between us, winking playfully at Caspian. “Compliments from the lovely lady seated at the bar. Your luck with the court ladies remains as sharp as ever.”
I assumed he would take the opportunity to flash a charming smile in the woman’s direction. Instead, Caspian shook his head quietly. “Add that glass to my tab, please.”
He looked visibly subdued, a sudden shadow crossing his features that completely contradicted the playboy persona I had originally assigned to him. Had I completely misread him all along?
“You’re not going to go say hello? She’s quite stunning,” I noted quietly.
“No, there’s no need for that,” Caspian murmured, his gaze fixed on the table, a brief flash of genuine melancholy lingering in his eyes.
“Is there… someone else? A fated match?” I asked tentatively.
“There was a time when I believed I had found her,” he admitted, shrugging with forced casualness. “But she wasn’t ready to accept the bond, so…”
I blinked, thoroughly surprised. Beneath his smooth, confident exterior lay a man who simply struggled with the complexities of love just like the rest of us.
Swallowing my bite of food, I offered gentle comfort. “It’s her loss, Caspian. She clearly had no idea what a remarkable person she walked away from.”
He let out a quiet, appreciative laugh, his usual composure returning as if brushing off the memory.
“I am perfectly fine—it was a long time ago,” he assured me. “You, on the other hand, carry a hurt that feels far more recent. Would you like to talk about it?”
He looked at me with genuine, earnest concern, and strangely enough, the memories didn’t feel quite as suffocating anymore.
“I was once supposed to be bound to someone as his fated mate,” I confessed quietly. “But he rejected me without a second thought.”
- Writer
