Chapter 5

Five years later, Griffith was still part of the Imperial Guard. He had left Yu-Jun’s residence to give the newlyweds their space and privacy, moving to his family’s manor along with Reid, Bowie and Taiden. The Academy of Alamein was close to being finished, and his father had asked him to consider developing the entry protocols as well as the training program. The King had announced that enrolments would be ready for consideration in the new year, and they were to begin looking at instructors shortly. Griffith was hoping Bowie and Taiden would be instructors and help him with the Aven barracks.

Griffith arrived at Yu-Jun’s residence for their spring festival party. He always felt a bit of a third wheel to them, but Ha-Yoon was so lovely, and she treated him, Reid, Bowie and Taiden as her brothers. Tonight, they were welcoming a contingent from Linith, the country a five-day voyage by sea away to the south of Dernancourt. During the last five years, Dernancourt had been strengthening ties and building relationships with their neighbouring countries Linith, Teranbaerk, Echokos and the Tribals.

Griffith was not a big fan of these kinds of parties, and he kept asking Yu-Jun to be posted to one of the five military bases around Dernancourt to avoid them. He was starting to feel the pressure of pursuit. He had been introduced to many prominent women over the last few years, but they all felt the same to him. There was nothing wrong with any of them, they were generally polite, well-educated and musical, but he found them all boring. He had been told that once he met the right person, he would know. So far, he hadn’t.

‘Griffith you look very handsome tonight. I’ll have to have to hang on to Yu-Jun to avoid the stampede and avoid getting my toes crushed,’ Ha-Yoon teased him.

‘I would rather be on the battlefield than going to these events,’ Griffith mumbled back at her, making her burst out laughing.

Prince Yu-Jun’s manor was starting to fill up with people. It was a lovely summer night, and the party was outside in the gardens. Music was playing, there were a few people dancing, refreshments were laid out on tables and servants were moving through the crowd providing drinks and finger food to guests.

Griffith was looking for Reid, Bowie and Taiden but spotted his father first. He moved through the crowd with ease, nodding hello to people until he stood in front of him.

‘Your Grace.’ He bowed.

‘Griffith, how are you? It’s a bit of a crowd tonight,’ his father replied.

‘Is Mother with you?’

‘Yes, but the Queen spotted her and she hasn’t returned as yet. They are probably giggling over the latest court gossip.’ His father sighed. Griffith’s mother had grown up with the Queen in Teranbaerk and had come with her to Dernancourt when the marriage was arranged to King Taejong.

‘Have you met the contingent from Linith? Any issues?’ Griffith asked him quietly.

‘No issues. It has gone well with the new deputy governor of Volis in charge. He is impressive. His father was a diplomat, so he has grown up in that environment. He comes across as someone genuine and with integrity. He doesn’t seem to have any interests other than serving Dernancourt.’

‘What is his name?’

‘Robert Pae. He has just married a woman from a prominent Linith family. I will introduce you to him. He’s about your age, and I think you’d like him. He’s coming this way.’

Griffith took a sip from his glass of wine. Robert Pae was a tall, lean man with olive skin. He had dark hair but in the light a hint of red shone through. There were two ladies by his side both of them were very similar in height and looks. The darker haired lady had her arm through Roberts, her dark hair curled at the ends, her skin was a light, almost creamy colour, and she had green sparkling eyes. The other lady was slightly taller, lean, brown hair with hints of gold running through it like she spent a lot of time outdoors in the sun. Her skin was the same shade of cream, and her eyes were hazel coloured.

‘Robert,’ his father greeted him. ‘This lovely lady must be your wife.’

‘Your Grace, my wife, Eleanor. This is her sister Lady Roslind. Roslind is going to stay with us for a while to assist my wife in settling into life in Dernancourt.’

‘Lovely to meet you both. This is my son Lord Griffith Ryeland.’

When Griffith’s eyes met Roslind’s, he felt like he had been hit by a thunderbolt. She was beautiful. She looked like her sister with the same lean build and long dark hair. She had a straight nose, deep blue eyes and coral-coloured lips. When she smiled at him, he felt sweaty and thought his heart might stop beating.

‘My father tells me you were recently wed, congratulations and welcome to Dernancourt,’ Griffith said to Eleanor. Turning to Roslind, he asked, ‘Are you staying in Altrane for long, Lady Roslind?’ He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

‘A few months. My parents will be arriving in a couple of months to check on Eleanor and to take Roslind home. They mostly stay in Volis and have not seen much of Dernancourt, so they expressed a desire to see Altrane before we return to Volis,’ Roslind told him.

‘Could I take you all to lunch tomorrow? I’ve lived in the capital a few years now and know all the best places to eat.’ Griffith hoped his face didn’t give him away. He mainly ate with his friends at street stalls. He would ask Ha-Joon where he could take them.

The ladies exchanged glances, and Eleanor nodded to Robert, who accepted the invitation.

‘Promise you won’t tell Mother,’ Griffith begged his father.

‘She’ll have to torture it out of me,’ he said with a large grin on his face.

Griffith found his friends talking in one of the garden pergolas. He wanted to talk to Ha-Yoon without being overheard by anyone outside of their circle. He sat down next to Yu-Jun.

‘Are you free tomorrow for lunch?’ Griffith asked Ha-Yoon while leaning around Yu-Jun.

Yu-Jun looked directly at him. ‘Are you asking my wife out?’

‘Yes, I am. I have invited the Lady Roslind out for lunch tomorrow along with her sister Eleanor and her husband Robert Pae. He’s the new deputy governor of Volis,’ he said out of the corner of this mouth, not taking his eyes off Ha-Yoon as he waited for her to reply.

Taiden spat his drink out, leaning over to avoid the spray hitting his clothes. Bowie sighed and wiped the side of his jacket.

‘You asked a girl out. Where is she?’ Taiden started craning his neck around at the crowd like she was going to magically appear in front of him.

‘Never you mind.’

‘Of course I will come with you,’ Ha-Yoon replied serenely.

‘I’m available too,’ Yu-Jun said.

‘As am I,’ Taiden added. ‘You two?’ He pointed at Reid and Bowie. They both nodded. ‘We could all go to lunch with you and Lady Roslind.’

‘Only Ha-Yoon. She will be able to tell the ladies the best places in Altrane.’

‘Your mother could do that,’ Reid pointed out.

‘I don’t need my mother along,’ Griffith replied.

Reid put his drink down and stood up.

Griffith had a funny feeling. ‘Where are you going?’

‘Bathroom.’

Griffith stood up as well. ‘No, you’re not. You’re going to look for Lady Roslind.’

Reid beamed at him. ‘Am I?’ He bolted out of the pergola.

Griffith cursed and followed him.

The others burst into laughter.