“Oh my,” she gasped, looking up at him. “I… I…”
“We seem to be making a habit of this,” Breckton said with a smile.
Amilia was mortified and felt so foolish that tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks.
When Breckton saw this, his smile vanished; he fell to one knee and bowed his head. “Forgive me, dear lady. I am a fool. I spoke without thought.”
“No, no, it’s all right,” she told him, feeling worse than ever. “Please, I am only trying to get to my chambers. I—I’ve had my fill of feasting.”
“As you wish. Please, take my arm and I will see you safely there.”
Amilia was beyond resisting and took hold of the knight as they continued down the hall. Away from the noise and the crowd, Amilia felt more like herself. She wiped her cheeks and let go of his arm.
“Thank you, Sir Breckton, but I do not need you to escort me to my room. I have lived in this palace for a long time and know the way quite well. I can assure you there are no dragons or ogres along my path.”
“Of course. Forgive me again for my presumption. I only thought because—”
Amilia nodded. “I know. I was just a little overwhelmed. I’m not used to so much attention. Despite the title, I am still a simple girl, and knights… they still frighten me.”
Breckton looked wounded and took a step backward. “I would never harm you, my lady!”
“Oh, there I go again. I feel like such a fool.” Amilia threw up her hands. “I—I don’t know how to be noble. Everything I say is wrong. Everything I do or don’t do is a mistake.”
“I am certain it is not you but I who am at fault,” Breckton assured her. “I am not accustomed to the courts. I am a soldier—plain and blunt. I will once more ask your forgiveness and leave you alone, as clearly, I am a terror to you.”
“No, no, you are not. You are most kind. It’s the others I—You are the only one—” She sighed. “Please, I would be honored if you would escort me.”
Breckton snapped smartly to attention, bowed, and offered his arm once more. They walked silently to the stairs and up to the fifth floor. Passing by a set of guards, they proceeded to a chamber door. Breckton nodded and smiled at Gerald, who responded with a salute—something Amilia had never seen the guard do before.
“You are well protected,” Breckton remarked.
“Not me; this is the empress’s chambers. I always check on her before retiring. To be honest, you shouldn’t even be on this floor.”
“Then I will take my leave.”
He started to turn.
“Wait,” she said, reaching out to touch his arm. “Here.” She pulled off her scarf and handed it to him.
Breckton smiled broadly. “I will wear it at the tournament proudly and represent you with honor.”
Taking her hand, he gently kissed the back of it. Then the knight bowed and left. Amilia’s gaze followed him until he reached the stairs and disappeared from sight. When she turned back, she found Gerald grinning. She raised an eyebrow and the guard wiped the expression from his face.
Amilia entered the imperial bedchamber. As always, Modina was at the window. Lying on the stone in her thin white nightgown, the empress looked dead. Amilia found her this way most nights. The mirror was still intact and Modina was merely asleep. Still, Amilia could not help thinking that one day… She pushed the thought away.
“Modina?” She spoke softly as she rocked the empress’s shoulder. “Come, it’s too cold to lie there.”
The girl looked up sadly, then nodded. Amilia put her in bed, covered her with a blanket, and gave her a kiss on the forehead before leaving Modina to sleep.
Hadrian was squeezing melted candle wax between his fingers and listening to the rhythmic snores of the earl. Even his shadows looked tired, although they were different men since the shift change. He wondered how long he was expected to remain in the hall.
He saw Sir Breckton return to the feast, but rather than resuming his seat, the knight struck up a conversation with Nimbus. He watched them for a moment and then noticed movement at the head table. To Hadrian’s dismay, Regent Saldur picked up his wine goblet and walked directly toward him.
“You’ve done well,” the regent said while taking the seat across from Hadrian. “Or at least it appeared so from over there. Sentinel Guy and Lord Marius speak highly of you.”
“Lord Marius? You don’t mean Merrick Marius?”
“Yes, you remember him, don’t you? He was at our little meeting. Oh, how foolish. Perhaps we forgot to introduce him. Marius said he was extremely impressed with a recent assignment that you and your partner performed on his behalf. By the sound of things, it was quite difficult. He even told me that he thought only you two could have accomplished such a feat.”