I Will Be the Greatest Knight
Chapter 80: Many Concerns

Chapter 80: Many Concerns

The room was silent enough that a spider running past could have been heard as the apprentices stared at the Duke with wide eyes. However, they were well-trained enough to bow their heads so that the Duke wouldn’t have to be sent such incredulous expressions. It could be seen as disobedience to some. He wasn’t outwardly a strict man but his status demanded respect.

Since they were silent, Sir Gunnar took it upon himself to fabricate an appropriate response. Even he was blindsided by the request.

The Duke didn’t tell him that what he was requesting from the apprentices was something so massive in scale. The Royal Family had to be handled with kid gloves because even a slight misunderstanding could lead to severe punishment.

"What an honor, Commander," the knight responded. "How lucky they are to be chosen for such a prestigious task."

Felix, who was far more comfortable with the Duke than the other two found the courage to speak up next.

"What an honor, indeed, Commander," Felix agreed, straightening out as he spoke so he would at least look strong.

"Yes, Commander," Irene finally spoke. "Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined being selected for this."

"What an honor, Your Grace," Leif finally stated, allowing the others to speak first but using a more respectful title so that the Duke wouldn’t interpret his silence as anything but the nerves he was feeling.

"This is only possible due to my wife’s recommendation," the Duke responded as he placed a letter on his desk and pushed it forward.

The words on the page were too small to read but curiosity ate at all who weren’t privy to the finer details.

Irene felt a bit bad that she had had such unkind thoughts towards the Duchess. She found her fussy and her level of annoyance rose each time the woman knocked on the windows of the carriage and requested that she be let out so she could walk around or eat something.

"They will have to thank her the next time they see her," Sir Gunnar spoke for the three apprentices and they were grateful for him. "In the meantime, we will have them practicing scouting and escorting in a variety of places so that the upcoming winter doesn’t go without a hitch. For now, we will excuse ourselves and return to regular duties."

However, they only made it as far as one of the sitting rooms before Sir Gunnar nudged all of the apprentices into it and forced them to sit down.

"That was quite unexpected," Sir Gunnar admitted as he ran a hand through his shoulder-length hair and sighed. "We will have to rethink your schedule in the coming months to make up for where you lack in escorting nobles. I’m sure there are plenty of reeve’s wives and even the Earl and Countess who might need escorting if not simply for practice. The Knights of Tenetium have a good relationship with the Earl and his personal knights."

Irene’s eyes widened as she looked towards the knight who guided them each day. She wanted to ask if that meant they would be leaving the Duke’s Tower and heading towards the central region. Her family home was on the way to the Auden’s home in the northwest. She wasn’t entirely sure if it was the most direct path, but she could still hope.

"Does that imply we will be escorting the Royal Family during winter?" Felix was the first to speak up.

"Yes, that’s what that implies," Sir Gunnar confirmed. "Luckily, the time of winter is normally when the snow is on the ground and it’s unlikely more will be added. If this is the case, it’s also likely that the knighthood will be invited to the Winter Solstice Banquet this year. You will all have to be on your best behavior."

Leif had other concerns.

"Does that mean we will be forced to dance?" Leif asked, grimacing.

For a commoner like him, dancing was done in places like a tavern when there was something to celebrate. They didn’t celebrate birthdays outside of nobility. They didn’t have to attend stiff things like balls and banquets either.

Sir Gunnar couldn’t help laughing at the ridiculous direction in which Leif’s mind seemed to be heading.

"If you’re concerned whether or not you’ll have to dance with the Princess, that is highly unlikely," Gunnar admitted. "The knights and apprentices will be there to work. The most important people in the duchy will be attending the event."

"Is that wishful thinking, Leif?" Felix taunted. "I do believe she is closer to your age than mine."

"She is Iro’s age exactly," Leif deflected and cast a look at Irene.

To their surprise, she seemed disgusted at the thought, not knowing the true reason for her resistance.

"Ah, you’re too young to understand," Felix argued with a wave of his hand. "Give it a couple of years and you will wish you cared when there was a princess in front of you."

Sir Gunnar cleared his throat and when the three apprentices met his narrowed eyes, they all stiffened up.

"You will not even think of entertaining these thoughts when the Royal Family is in front of you," he warned. "His Majesty takes the marrying off of his daughter more seriously than anything else in this entire kingdom. Until you can promise me that you will not misbehave, we won’t leave the Duke’s Tower."

"You don’t have to worry about me, sir," Irene assured him. "Even when I am older, I don’t believe it will be an issue."

The knight couldn’t keep from patting the child’s head.

"I have faith in at least one of my apprentices," he remarked.

However, after much sorrow and apology from both Felix and Leif and a bit more trouble during a few more morning practices, Sir Gunnar was certain that they could venture off into the duchy after a bit of communication from the noble houses throughout. Their summer would be far busier than they could have ever expected.

It worked to soothe the tumultuous thoughts Irene was having about her grandmother falling ill.

Keeping busy was the ultimate way to ensure that she was too tired to contemplate things at the end of each day.

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