Chapter 7

A week later, Griffith was getting dressed when his father called to him, ‘Where are you headed?’

‘The crown prince is having a party tonight. I had to come home to get my formal wear as I can’t wear my uniform.’

‘Ah. Then I wish you a good evening. Have fun. Try to make it for breakfast tomorrow, your mother misses you.’

‘Will do,’ he called as he rushed out the door to his saddled horse. He made his way through the congested city roads till he was at the gates of the Imperial Palace. Due to his role as one of the captains of the guards, he was able to ride all the way to the royal stables. He dismounted and made his way through to the crown prince’s residence. Although he wasn’t on guard duty, he checked in with the duty guard team lead before making his way over to where all the guests were. Music was playing in the background, the rhythmic sounds of flutes and string instruments and the tinkling of the aarks. Everywhere was lit by pink lanterns and seating areas were set out amongst the gardens. Servants were carrying platters of food to the tables while others were offering smaller platters of food to guests who were talking in groups.

‘Lord Ryeland.’ Griffith saw the crown prince calling him over. He was standing with his wife and a few of the junior ministers.

‘Your Highness,’ he said as he bowed deeply.

‘May I introduce you to Lord Ismael from Echokos.’ Griffith held his hand out to the other man to shake. He had dark skin, hair and eyes. His nose was almost too thin for his face, and he had a wide mouth. He wasn’t as tall as Griffith, and his outfit was so ostentatious that he stood out in a crowd of people where everyone was competing for best dressed.

‘Welcome to Dernancourt, my lord. I hope you have a pleasant time with us.’

‘Thank you for your warm welcome. I am looking forward to getting to know Dernancourt better.’

‘Could I have a moment with Lord Ryeland please?’ Crown Prince Ji-Wan asked. He turned to his wife. ‘I will come and find you shortly, my love.’

When it was only the two of them, Ji-Wan said, ‘I believe you met with our fathers recently. Do you think what they are proposing is feasible?’

‘Yes, it is feasible.’ Griffith said softly, realising that the King must have told his son.

‘We have known each other since childhood, Griffith. I will need to put my trust in you, as well as in my crown, for my country. I know Yu-Jun considers you a brother and he speaks very highly of you. I’ve studied your battle strategy, particularly at Lexmon; it was brilliant. I want the same kind of relationship the other men in my family have with you.’

Griffith spoke directly from the heart. ‘I look forward to getting to know you, Your Highness. Know that I would never betray the crown or my country. My family swore an oath, one that I will keep.’

‘I don’t want to be obvious that we are talking about something important, but I thank you for your continued support. The palace can be a place of battles between ministers and prominent families. I need people I can trust when the time comes, which I hope is a long time away,’ Prince Ji-Wan said.

‘You will have my support as well as that of Taiden, Bowie, and Reid. Yu-Jun is our friend; we won’t abandon him or you.’

‘I’d shake your hand on that, but this is not the time or place.’

Griffith smiled. ‘I’m available to you anytime, Your Highness.’

‘I believe Lady Roslind is sitting with her family towards the middle of the garden,’ Prince Ji-Wan said.

Griffith pursed his lips. ‘Your brother has a big mouth.’

Griffith found Roslind sitting with her sister and a few other ladies from the court; she looked like she was having fun. He looked around for Robert Pae, hoping to be able to talk to him, when he felt an arm around his shoulders.

‘Robert is over here,’ Reid said, pulling him towards a group of men.

‘Lord Robert,’ Reid said, bringing Griffith and himself into the conversation Robert had been having. ‘I don’t think we have been introduced. I’m Commander Reid Hyeon. Of course, you already know Lord Ryeland.’

Robert introduced the two other men with him, both of whom were from Volis.

‘Have you been enjoying Altrane?’ Reid asked.

‘Yes, we have. My pockets are a little lighter,’ Robert joked.

They spoke for a short while before the other two men moved off to another conversation.

‘We are going to lunch tomorrow. I was wondering if you, your wife and sister-in-law would be interested,’ Reid said.

Robert looked at them. ‘I’m beginning to think, Lord Ryeland, that your friend group is trying provide opportunities for you to spend time with Roslind.’

Reid made an impressed face. ‘You would be correct, Lord Pae. Do you think it’s working?’

Robert laughed, putting his hand over his heart. ‘I could never betray my sister-in-law.’

‘Scared of your wife?’

‘Yes. I don’t want to sleep on the couch.’

They all laughed.

‘I’m beginning to like you. Please, call me Reid and call him Griffith.’

‘Call me Robert.’

‘Wonderful. Now that we are all friends, does she like him?’ Reid asked, raising his eyebrows up and down.

‘There is always hope,’ Robert replied solemnly, then he smiled. ‘I won’t betray my wife’s trust with details but I think it would be safe to say she does like him.’

When Taiden, Bowie and Yu-Jun joined them, Reid introduced them to Lord Robert.

‘Where is Ha-Yoon?’ Griffith asked.

Yu-Jun nodded towards the ladies who were making room for her to sit down with them. The men were deep in discussion about shipping and the recent raids from pirates when Griffith heard his name being called.

‘Lord Ryeland.’

Griffith turned to see Princess Ha-Yoon calling him over.

‘Does she not see me standing here?’ Yu-Jun said as he followed Griffith towards his wife.

‘Your Highness.’ Griffith bowed. ‘Ladies. How can I assist you?’

‘Lady Roslind was wondering what the crown prince’s gardens were like, so we decided you should escort us.’

Ha-Yoon held her hand out. Her husband quickly grasped it and tucked it beneath his arm. Griffith found himself paired with Roslind as they followed Ha-Yoon towards the garden. It was traditionally set out in the middle of the building with grassed areas full of flowering plants and matching trees set at regular intervals. A white path flowed around the gardens and large standing stones, and Griffith could hear the trickle of water. When the breeze caught the trees, a smattering of blossoms blew over them. Roslind looked up in delight.

‘I heard you are a commander and that you guard the Queen’s residence. I also heard you are very good friends with Prince Yu-Jun and Princess Ha-Yoon,’ she said to Griffith.

‘Yes, I grew up with Prince Yu-Jun. We went through Harrawong training together with Bowie, Taiden and Reid. They are a big part of my life. If I moved to Aven, I think Bowie and Taiden will come with me, but I expect to see Reid and Yu-Jun throughout the year.’

‘Princess Ha-Yoon is very down to earth—not what I was expecting of a princess.’ Roslind’s voice was soft and had a lilt that, to Griffith’s ears, sounded very lyrical.

‘Ha-Yoon has been part of the Imperial Court since she was young. She is a very nice person. She is very smart too; she used to be part of the Ministry of Culture before Yu-Jun convinced her to marry him. As part of the Imperial family, she had to give that up, but she tells us that she has not been bored since she got married.’

‘Your father is the Minister of Culture?’

‘Yes, he is. He loves his job.’

‘Are you going to follow him into the ministry?’

‘No,’ Griffith said. ‘I will retire to Aven to look after the estate. My father is spread too thin, and it’s time for me to help him.’

‘So, you will live in Aven full time in the near future.’

‘Yes. I want to settle down and have a family.’

‘How many children would you like?’

Griffith thought about it. ‘As many as my wife wants to give me.’

‘Do you believe in love?’ she asked, looking directly into his eyes.

‘Yes.’

She moved away from him, and he followed her.

‘What kind of husband would you be?’

‘I don’t know, to be truthful. I think my wife would have to tell me what would make her happy.’

‘Would it matter to you if you only had girls?’ She threw the question over her shoulder.

‘No, the eldest child inherits Aven along with the title. Any child of mine would be educated and trained to protect themselves.’ He watched her digest his answer.

‘What would your wife do?’

‘Whatever she liked. I have no expectations; it would be something we would work out together. If she wanted to help run the estates or our businesses, there is always something to do. I haven’t been home to Aven for a while, but I expect the gardens are probably perfectly fine. My mother tends to leave it to her gardeners.’

She looked at him. He hadn’t really said anything personal, just provided her with as many honest answers as he could.

Just as she was about to speak, they were interrupted by the servants advising them that the fireworks display was almost set to begin. She turned to go back to where everyone was gathered to watch. Griffith couldn’t be sure if it was deliberate or not, but her hand brushed his as she walked past. He waited to see if she would look back at him. When she eventually glanced over her shoulder, a wave of happiness rolled over him and he put his hands behind his back and whistled softly, following her.