Vardr stared at Tryggvi in outrage.
Tryggvi smiled.
“King Steinarwillhear about this,” Colonel Vardr declared as he stormed from the room.
I hope he does…it would mean he’s still alive, Rakel thought.
Tryggvi chuckled and clapped three times. “That was the most fun I’ve had since the start of this wretched invasion—you cannot imagine what a pain that man has been since he arrived in Glowma.” He turned to Halvor and smiled kindly at him. “Congratulations on your promotion, General. You are quite deserving of the position.”
“Thank you,” Halvor said.
“If you will excuse me, I must return to the party,” Tryggvi said.
Rakel started to follow the constable, but Halvor said, “Princess?”
She paused. “I will be along in a moment, Tryggvi.”
“Take all the time you need. Good evening, Princess, General.”
Halvor waited until Tryggvi left, then he gestured for Rakel to enter the hallway. “Knut,” Halvor said. He joined her and closed the door to his bedroom.
“Yes, sir!” Knut saluted him and retreated down the hallway. He remained within shouting distance.
Rakel blinked at the change in location. “You’re not concerned that we’ll be overheard?”
“I trust Knut, and as you are a princess we can never be too careful in guarding your reputation,” Halvor said.
Rakel furrowed her brow. “My reputation?”Is he forgetting I was the most infamous being in Verglas until this invasion? I don’t think being spotted alone with him could blacken my status more thanthat.
Halvor awkwardly cleared his throat. “The pureness of your character, Princess.” The pained expression in his eyes begged her not to question him further.
“Oh.Oh.” Rakel said when she finally understood. “I see. Thank you.” She was tempted to also awkwardly clear her throat, but instead she plunged forward. “You wanted to speak to me, General?”
“I cannot accept this promotion.”
“Oh?”
“To be a major, perhaps, but a general? I would never make such an auspicious post in normal times.”
“Perhaps, but these are not normal times.”
Halvor shook his head. “It’s not right, Princess.”
“Do you think I can trust Colonel Vardr, Halvor?”
“Of course, Princess.”
“With mylife?”
Halvor hesitated.
“Do you think I can trust him to guard me when I sleep for hours on end after using too much of my magic?”
He had no answer.
“Do you think he will understand my reluctance to fight? Will he mercifully use the other magic users and me, or will he attempt to wield us like weapons?”
Halvor stared at the floor.
