Chapter 8

Two months later, Griffith was on duty guarding the Queen’s residence. It was going to be a busy day as the Queen was meeting with her household staff and would not be leaving the premises. He had started his day with training then checked in with the team leads who looked after various aspects of the residence. He then checked in with the Queen’s personal staff in case there were any last-minute visitors or changes to the schedule.

He headed to his office and found Yu-Jun waiting for him.

‘Are you on duty today?’

‘No, but I knew you would be. I wanted to see you.’

‘You have news?’ Griffith asked, leaning back in his chair and putting his feet up on the edge of his desk.

‘Yes. I am thinking of putting in a request for Temujin. I need to start considering my career path as I want to be the Imperial Commander in the future. What are your plans?’

‘I can see you as the Imperial Commander, although I’m pretty sure you just want to stay out of court politics,’ Griffith joked before turning serious. ‘I have to think of my father. I think it’s time for me to take the burden of the estate off him so he can focus on his work. Also, when Alamein is built, I am going to have to get that up and running.’

‘So, your mind is really on Lady Roslind and getting married and having lots of babies?’ Yu-Jun asked.

‘Yes, it is. I’ve had enough of war and fighting. I want a quieter life now. I’ve given this a lot of thought. Roslind and I have gotten to know each other better in the last few months, and I think we would make a great couple. I’d like to think that if I proposed to her, she would accept. Aven is close enough to Volis that she will be able to see Eleanor frequently. But nothing has been said, and I haven’t raised anything with her or her family.’

‘I don’t think she is going to say no to you. Ha-Yoon is convinced that Roslind likes you very much.’

‘I’ll talk to my parents. If they think it’s a good match, then I will let them approach her family. Her parents are here now,’ Griffith said.

‘I wish you good luck, my friend. Married life is pretty good. Just remember you are always wrong, and you will be fine.’

They laughed together.

Later that day, Griffith was having dinner with his parents. ‘I’d like to raise something with you both. I like Lady Roslind and I am wondering what your impressions are of her.’

‘She is lovely, Griffith,’ his mother replied. ‘I’ve spoken to her several times, and everyone says the same thing about her. While she is very shy, she is a kind, thoughtful person. She is very practical and won’t be swept away in silliness like some of these young ladies. I like her. Why?’

‘I’ve not heard anything about her either way,’ his father added.

‘I was thinking that we should invite her and her family to Aven.’

‘Are you considering marriage?’ his mother asked.

‘I have a few things that I want to talk to her about. She has seen life here at Altrane, but I think she needs to see Aven. We need to talk about what we each see for ourselves in the future. I don’t want to get ahead of myself if her goal is to travel the world or if she has someone in Linith that she likes.’

‘Very sensible of you. I will write to her family tomorrow and invite them to Aven.’

Griffith and his parents were standing on the front steps of Aven watching three carriages approach.

When the carriages stopped, Robert, Eleanor, Roslind, and her parents alighted.

‘Welcome to Aven,’ Griffith’s mother said. ‘Please come inside.’ She led them through to a yellow room. Servants were waiting to serve them tea and juice, and on the side table were an assortment of small cakes, biscuits, cheese, and fruit.

‘What a lovely room,’ Eleanor exclaimed.

‘Thank you so much for having us. It is more isolated than I expected, and the Academy is larger than I expected,’ Robert commented with a chuckle.

‘The building was delayed but we should open next year. I will take you over for a look, if you are interested,’ Duke Ryeland offered.

‘Yes, I would be interested.’

After dinner, Griffith took Roslind, Eleanor, and Robert out to the garden via the main ballroom.

‘This is one of my favourite places here at Aven.’ He opened the doors of the ballroom that led onto the terrace. Throwing his arms out, he said, ‘These are the gardens.’

He knew Roslind was disappointed by the look on her face. ‘I am sorry. It’s just grass and some trees that have probably been there since Aven was built. They are nothing like the ones in Altrane. We should take a day trip to Tenby while you are here.’

‘Tenby?’ Roslind asked.

‘It is our getaway. When the weather is nice, we can go swimming, or sometimes we hike up the nearby mountains for the hot springs. Tenby is more relaxed than Aven and, during the summer, we usually have a full house of friends and family.’

‘Is that where your grandparents live?’ Roslind asked.

‘Yes. When we started to build the Academy, they decided it was way too noisy for them. They know I am home so I expect they will arrive tomorrow. I haven’t seen them for a while as they don’t come to Altrane anymore, the journey is too far for them.’ Griffith didn’t like to lie to her about his grandparents, but that was the story they had used for many years.

‘I look forward to meeting them.’

Griffith looked over his shoulder and saw that Robert and Eleanor had gone in the other direction, giving them privacy.

‘Roslind, are you here to look over Aven and consider what your life would be like here? You must have gathered how much I admire you. If I were to ask you a question, would you know the answer or should I wait?’

She was quiet for what felt like a long minute. ‘Yes. I am here to look at Aven.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’ve come to like you very much, Griffith. I think we would make a good couple. I didn’t expect to meet someone while I was staying with my sister. While I don’t think we love one another yet, we have good communication and I find you very handsome. I believe I could love you in the future.’

‘I agree.’ He pulled her deeper into the shadows of the garden and knelt before her. ‘Roslind, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife? I want us to be partners, sharing our life together. I would respect, love and cherish you.’

She smiled at him, ‘Yes, I will marry you. I only ask that my children hold Linith names and we observe some Linith traditions.’

He stood, pulling her into his arms. ‘Thank you. You can call the children whatever you like, and I am happy to uphold any traditions that are special to you.’ He leaned down to brush his lips against hers. ‘Let’s go tell our families. Do I need to get you a ring?’

‘I am shocked you were so unprepared. I’ve heard you were a brilliant strategist,’ she said as she elbowed him.

‘I didn’t think you would say yes so quickly.’

She giggled.