BK1 Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

I pinched my fingers, standing before Azriel Elkart and his stern gaze. He tapped his finger on the stone desk leaning his head on his hand. The box above his head still hadn't settled on a number as it blurred consistently.

It was nerve-wracking to stand before him.

Azriel was the son of the Duke of the frozen south. I knew from my past lives that he would ascend to the Duke title in a couple of years when his father stepped down. However, his imposing nature was enough to remind me. He had enough authority as the heir, the Young Duke, to sentence me for any misdoings.

"What do you wish to ask of me" I hesitantly dipped my head in a small bow.

"You said you have ridden Kreshna since childhood", Azriel stated. "How?" He demanded.

"I cannot explain, Young Duke" I really couldn't; I had no idea why I had the beast-taming skill. "All I know is since I was young, I have understood them."

"You realise that is the non-answer?" Azriel's tone made me cringe.

"I apologise; I can not answer what I do not understand myself" I felt my nails bite into the palm of my hand. I could tell Azriel about my skill, but then I would have to admit I had hidden it. That would likely spark a whole new round of questions.

"Then we should seek to understand," he said, and I knew if I could see his mouth, he would have been frowning.

"Yes, Young Duke", I pressed my lips.

"As you suggested, I will confer this information with your brothers. I believe Lord Eduard Heversham is nearby," Azriel mulled, and a sense of dread trickled in my skin.

"Young Duke?" I broached, and he paused. "May I request you do not summon my brother at this moment? I am injured and wish to deal with my health first."

"Surely that is more reason for me to summon him?" Azriel asked, perplexed.

"I do not wish to worry him", I lied. I frankly did not want to deal with his lectures.

"Very well. However, someone must identify you" Azriel's tone indicated he didn't trust my words.

Albertine had identified Rian, but she had not acknowledged who I was. I doubt she would know; we hadn't interacted much in my life. I only knew of her from occasional glances at social events in Talbour. She likely did not share any interest in me.

Right now, I am an enigma. A woman who claimed to ride Kreshna from childhood must be strange and suspicious. From his earlier statement about not knowing of a daughter of the Hevershams who wished to join the army, he was probably even warier of me.

"May I make a request?" I asked, and he narrowed his eyes. The purple was so strange as it shifted under the mage light.

"Very well" he lowered his hand and straightened in his seat. The tent canvas wobbled in a gust of wind, but I didn't feel its chill reach me. I tried to think of who would be willing to come and get me, maybe Teresa? No, she was a commoner and a Trainee. She would not be trustworthy enough. It probably should be someone Azriel was acquainted with.

"Lord Hudson and I are familiar, Young Duke" I bit my lip. Nathaniel was my best choice.

"Lord Hudson?" Azriel stiffened, and his eyes suddenly glared at me. "How do you know Lord Hudson?" He asked quickly.

"W-we met in Talbour" I stumbled over my words from his reaction. The numbers in his box shifted faster and darkened.

Vishka's Guidance System

Azriel Kamil Elkart

Likeability: -35%

I struggled not to exclaim out loud at the number that now showed. It was a minus figure!? How? What did I do wrong? This is insane, Vishka! I haven't said anything insulting that could justify that figure! But, wait.. was it when I mentioned Nathaniel?

"I see, so you are the one" Azriel's voice changed dramatically from suspicion to hostile. His body language scared me as he no longer appeared relaxed but on edge. Almost as though he was waiting to grab one of the sabres hung nearby.

"Y-Young Duke?" I stuttered at this change.

"What are your intentions towards Lord Hudson," he asked with no hesitation.

"M-my intentions?" my mouth gaped. Wait, was he talking about my scandal? Had it spread so far that even Azriel had heard of it!?

The box blurred again, and I withheld a scream.

Vishka's Guidance System

Azriel Kamil Elkart

Likeability: -39% (-4%)

"I will not ask again," Azriel commanded, and I gulped at this turn of events.

"I hold no intentions Young Duke" I spluttered, my chest tightening with anxiety. Fifty per cent was the number I faced death with; it was only eleven numbers away!

"No intentions? Then just what is your relationship" he asked, and the box blurred again.

Vishka's Guidance System

Azriel Kamil Elkart

Likeability: -45% (-6%)

Oh crap. Now it was only five per cent away from my possible death.

"W-we are friends Young Duke, nothing more." I rushed to kneel, holding my head down before him. This was crazy, even by my standards. Was I going to die here over my scandal!?

His silence made sweat drip down the back of my neck under my choker, where my scar was. I dared to look up and saw the box numbers were blurring again as he watched me stoically.

"Friends?" He tutted, finally relaxing a little "I will confirm this."

"Y-yes, Young Duke", I nodded, my body shaking.

"Lord Cavendish", Azriel called, and the older guard entered the tent. He looked at my prostrated pose and raised an eyebrow at Azriel.

"Bring Lord Hudson, please" Azriel leaned his head in his hand, his purple eyes not removing from my form.

"Yes, Young Duke", Lord Cavendish left.

The silence between us was agonising as we waited.

***

I kept kneeling for some time as we waited for Lord Hudson. Azriel watched me like a hawk; I swear he could see the tremor in my hands as my anxiety spiked. His numbers remained blurred as they recalculated. I had no idea why he was so upset with me over this scandal. He must think that I had actually slept with Lord Hudson instead of the ruse that it was. But why did that bother him so much? Did he… like Nathaniel?

"Young Duke, Lord Hudson has arrived", Lord Cavendish announced, and my body jumped from the surprise after our silence.

"Bring him in", Azriel spoke, his voice deep.

The flap burst open, and red filled my vision as Nathaniel flourished his cloak on entry. He paused and looked at me, his honey-blonde hair loosely falling into his hazel eyes. I meekly smiled, my shoulder pulsing in pain and mental fortitude thinning.

"What are you doing, Azriel!?" Nathaniel gasped and immediately leant down to me. His rough hands gently touched my shoulders. He quickly pulled away when he saw the pain from his touch on my right shoulder. "Are you alright, Lynette?"

"I-i'm okay", I croaked, feeling my chest swell and tears threatening to fall. This was all too much. I just wanted to rest.

"I had questions" Azriel shrugged as Nathaniel threw him a dirty look. I was shocked he was so brazen with the Young Duke.

"Could they not have waited? You are too much sometimes" Nathaniel shook his head in exasperation.

"So, she is your friend then?" Azriel ignored Nathaniel's complaints.

"Yes, Lynette is the Lady from Talbour" Nathaniel helped me stand, his hand supporting me on the small of my back.

"And she is aware of your sensibility?"

"For goodness sake, Azriel", Nathaniel rolled his eyes. "Lady Heversham is not after my hand. She is not at all like the Noble Ladies we know in the capital."

"Your hand?" I squeaked, trying to keep track of their conversation. Did Azriel think I wanted to marry Nathaniel?

"She is an engaged woman, Nathaniel; her actions do not give me confidence" Azriel leaned his head on his hand again, his body posture returning to one without hostility.

"I think that was the point", Nathaniel sighed.

"I'm not engaged", I mumbled, rather annoyed. How had that information reached the Young Dukes ears? How far had it spread already? The more people believed it, the harder it would be to break it fully.

"Oh? Lord Eduard Heversham says otherwise, Lady Heversham."

"With all due respect Young Duke, Eduard has no say in my marriage" I tightened my palms as my breathing began to quicken. What was Eduard doing? Why would he talk about my marriage with Azriel Elkart? Or was that not the case at all? Of course, as the son of the Duke, he would want to be informed of social gossip.

"Azriel, I told you the circumstances" Nathaniel jutted his chin.

"Whether that is true or not, she claims to be able to ride Kreshna," Azriel said accusingly.

"You can?" Nathaniel looked at me, surprised.

"Yes," I sighed, leaning into Nathaniel's arm as the weight of my own legs began to become heavy.

"That's impressive; you will have to show me" Nathaniel grinned, gracefully accepting my weight. Azriel looked at our closeness with conjecture.

"Yes. Lady Heversham will demonstrate this when we reach the capital."

"I will?" I blinked in a stupor. Eduard and Callan had always wanted me to keep quiet about riding Kreshna; it was taboo. So why was the Young Duke so interested in this?

"If you are telling the truth, what better way than to demonstrate" Azriel picked up a pen from his desk and began to write something on a scroll.

"Azriel", Nathaniel tightened his grip on my waist. "I'm sure Lady Heversham is being truthful."

"We shall see."

"I will gladly do as you ask, Young Duke" I attempted to bow, but Nathaniel pulled me back. I looked at him questioningly, but he shook his head.

"I have nothing to hide from you", I finished, hoping that lie wouldn't be seen through.

"There you have it, now, let me take her to a medic" Nathaniel gently began to lead me to the tent opening.

"Very well." Azriel scribbled, then stopped. "Lady Heversham, I will send for you when reaching the capital."

"Y-yes, Young Duke", I answered, but my skin itched. I wanted nothing more than to never see this man again. The numbers in his box had not yet settled, and I feared how easily they changed. He was a man quick to dislike me. I had no idea of his temperament, but I did not want to risk my life trying to figure that out.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure I'm the one who gets you" Nathaniel smiled at me so warmly. His kindness was truly soothing.

"Nathaniel", Azriel stopped his writing and glared at him.

"Azriel, you are scaring Lady Heversham" Nathaniel stood his ground. I couldn't decide if he was brave or uncaring of breaking etiquette.

"Fine. But I do not approve," Azriel relented with a heavy sigh.

"I'll add that to the list" Nathaniel rolled his eyes again. "Come, Lady Heversham; I know a good medic" Nathaniel moved to take me away from this anxiety nightmare.

I glanced back at Azriel and saw the box on his head settle.

Vishka's Guidance System

Azriel Kamil Elkart

Likeability: -30% (+15%)