I scoffed. “My safety? You barely know this man. Vincent has been training me every morning, not some random guard. You trusted him before this man arrived, and now, suddenly, he’s untrained and not deemed safe?” I demanded hotly.
“It’s not Vincent I don’t trust, but the other men,” my father said, leaning forward and hissing. “Vincent now oversees their training and can’t do that if he’s distracted by training you instead.” He huffed, frustration evident in his voice. “You need protection. You’re a princess, Zara—sometimes I feel like you forget that.”
“And you forget I am not a child anymore,” I snapped back.
“And you forget who you’re talking to in a room full of people,” he barked, his face flushed with anger.
I glanced down the table to find many eyes pointedly fixed on their dinners, the lively chatter from moments before now subdued. The only person looking our way was the captain, who looked like he was enjoying our interaction. I glared at him down the table before turning back to my father. His gaze, sharp with annoyance, made me look away.
Leaning forward, I refilled my glass with wine and cut into the steak on my plate with more force than necessary, my father doing the same.
The rest of the meal passed in silence, at least on our end of the table, and we didn’t attempt any further conversations.
When dinner concluded, we were all escorted to the parlor for after-dinner drinks.
The parlor was a somber room, at least in my opinion. Thick, dark tapestries hung from the walls, their vibrant colors long faded, embroidered with scenes of battles now forgotten. The heavy scent of polished wood and old leather lingered in the air, mixing with the unmistakable odor of mothballs. The Wellingtons favored this room, and it seems it was nowpermanently tainted with their ghastly scent, as if it were now soaked into the stone itself.
Dark crimson velvet curtains covered the narrow windows, and heavy armchairs and settees upholstered in matching rich fabric stood around low wooden tables scattered across the room. Large rugs covered the polished dark floors in a similar deep red, making the room appear even darker than it should have been.
A grand fireplace dominated one wall, its stonework imposing, with a large gilded mirror hanging above it. The frame was twisted with vines of gold, reflecting the flickering light of candles and sconces placed throughout the room, their flames casting long shadows on the walls.
As everyone filtered into the room, I lingered at the edge, waiting for my parents to be distracted before slipping quietly out and back into the hall. I had enough of tonight and just wanted to go back to my room.
As I walked down the hall, my heels clicked against the bare stone floor, the sound echoing off the limestone walls.
Carpets, paintings, and vibrant life richly adorned the castle's rooms and studies. The hallways, on the other hand, were as dull as a blunt knife. Their only decorations were the simple light sconces and matching Velra crest tapestries hanging from the tall ceiling. The tapestries were a deep blood red, tapering to a point, and bordered with a delicate line of gold thread. In the center, a crown and sword were embroidered, the crown forming a V at its center with the sword hilt rising through it.
“You’re not very observant of your surroundings.” A deep voice cut through my thoughts, making me jump. I spun around, coming face-to-face with the captain. His lips curled into a faint smirk as he watched my reaction. I narrowed my eyes at him. What was he doing following me? Guards rarely trailed me inside the castle—mainly because they were stationed at nearlyevery corner. My father only ever instructed them to follow my mother.
“Tell me, Captain, do you make a habit of sneaking up on unsuspecting women in dark hallways?” I retorted, my heart still racing from the unexpected encounter.
“I didn't sneak up, Princess. I was merely standing here when you made your escape from the parlor. You simply didn’t notice me,” he replied, a hint of a smile dancing on his lips as he ran a hand through his now loose, tousled blonde hair. “We should work on your stealth skills during training,” he added with a wink, earning a glare from me in return.
“Right. About that,” I interjected, “I appreciate the offer, but I don't require your assistance.” With a terse smile, I turned and continued to walk down the hallway, away from him.
“Have I offended you somehow?” he remarked, falling into step beside me. His hands clasped behind his back as he walked.
“I am perfectly fine with my current trainer, Captain,” I shot back, frustration bubbling up with each step I took. I didn’t bother hiding the edge in my voice.
“Jeremy,” he corrected, his voice softening slightly as he looked at me.
“Was that a sneeze?” I asked dryly, glancing at him as we climbed the stairs.
He chuckled, though the sound was rough, as if it wasn’t something he did often. “My name,” he said, a glint in his eyes. “Your father’s concern is always about your safety, Princess.”
“My safety?” I scoffed incredulously, halting abruptly on the stairs and facing him with a raised eyebrow. “What do you know of my life at the castle, Captain? Does it seem unsafe to you?” I challenged, meeting his gaze head-on.
If one more person mentioned my safety, I’d gladly show them just how unsafe it was to be around me.
“I've observed recruits eyeing you during your training and not in a respectful manner,” he replied, his golden eyes narrowing with genuine concern. “Vincent should have noticed.”
“And why wereyouwatching me?” I demanded, searching his expression for answers.
His expression grew serious as his eyes fixed on me with a steely resolve. “It’s my duty to ensure the safety of everyone in the castle, including you. Some of those recruits, who are past criminals, are not the sort of men you should be around. Your father shares this concern.”
“So, it wasn’t my father who suggested you train me; it was you?” I laughed dryly. “Do you often decide what’s best for others without consulting them first?” My voice was sharp, and I saw him flinch at my words. I turned on my heel and continued up the steps, but a firm hand grasped my elbow, spinning me back around.
His jaw tightened, and his lips pressed into a thin line. “I do what I believe is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in this castle. It is my job to do so.” Jeremy's response lingered, his words cutting through my frustration. His dedication to his duty was admirable, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being manipulated.
