The Knight's Mysterious Maid
Chapter 374: Offer (2)

Chapter 374: Offer (2)

"Take a seat, Rafael. We haven’t spent a lot of time alone recently like we used to do in the past. We can talk about your problems with the palace, the knights, or anyone in town. We’re due for a talk," River said, walking to the table in the room to sit at one of the chairs around it.

He got so caught up in capturing Travis and trying to spend his free time with Beatrice that he didn’t have much time left to spend with Rafael. Now that Beatrice and Annalise were spending time together and he needed to change his plans for Travis, he had a break to sit with Rafael.

"I’m ready to talk about anything you have questions about or just listen to what is bothering you these days. I can even offer you advice for women," River said, pointing at the empty chair opposite him for Rafael to sit down.

Rafael followed his father to sit down so they could talk. "I don’t think you can offer me advice for women," he teased.

"I’ve been married for longer than you’ve been alive. Who better than me to tell you how to keep the woman you love? One of your knights?" River sarcastically asked.

He was close to the knights because of the fact he was the commander right before Rafael and he still spent a lot of time in the manor, but he wouldn’t trust a lot of them to send a flower to a woman. He’d witnessed before how someone was sent to deliver a message to a woman on behalf of another knight and ended up flirting with her.

Then there was the fact that many of the knights lived thinking they could die tomorrow so they didn’t take relationships seriously. The day he caught Rafael seriously taking advice from the ones who would clearly ruin his relationship with Annalise, River planned to hit Rafael so hard that he would be the one shrinking.

"You are going to marry a princess someday," River said.

"The title princess isn’t something she enjoys. I think she might prefer some kind of lord or terrifying name," Rafael said, trying to remember what she wanted to call herself.

"It should have a warrior in it. It still surprises me that she lifted some of the knights over her shoulder. You might not want to anger her," River said, fearing Rafael would end up injured.

"She already flipped me when we were alone at the ball. I’m surprised that it hasn’t spread. When her father finds out, I am sure everyone will know," said Rafael.

River folded his arms, imagining Annalise’s father spreading it around. He wondered how her father looked now and how much he had improved over the years. "It’s going to take some time for us to be civil with each other. I did try to kill him in the past and him to me. It will work out in the future just like the truce will."

"You know son, if you ever think of putting down your sword to end your time as a knight because the men in the palace give you hell for your relationship, I will stand by you. You’ve already accomplished more than I thought you would."

"You can still protect this kingdom even if you are no longer a knight. I want you to start picking your happiness over what the king or palace wants from you," River said as they could not go back to do what they missed out on.

"Your mother and I are very proud of you. There’s nothing you need to prove to us and certainly not anyone else. I thought I should remind you of that," River said, watching Rafael.

Rafael had grown up faster than he would have liked. River wished time would slow down so he got to enjoy these moments a little more. How was it that his son who was so tiny in his arms was now just as tall as him if not taller?

River saw Rafael to be far better than himself. His name was known throughout the land thanks to his victories. He liked that Rafael didn’t have to struggle like he did growing up before he met Nicolas and accepted him as his father.

His days of working hard paid off for Rafael to live comfortably. It was also a great compliment and something that warmed his heart to remember how a smaller Rafael said he wanted to be like him and ended up becoming a knight.

Though River used to train Rafael after Rafael wanted to learn how to use a sword, he thought Rafael’s interest would fade away over the years, but Rafael stuck to it and became a knight.

"What are you smiling at? You are starting to act like a mother," Rafael said after noticing his father smiling for no reason in his eyes.

"I was remembering when you were younger and wanted to be like me. Those were the good days. For a man who once would trade places with anyone, you and your mother made me realise how good I had it to never want to give away my life," River answered.

"I am hoping we can soon go back to making memories we can sit and look back on one day. One day you might be sitting here with a son looking back on them growing up. I will hopefully be here to listen to the conversation. Like your mother, I am hoping you would have at least one girl," River said, wanting to experience what it was like to have a little girl to care for.

The friends he had often spoke of how it was an entirely different experience than with your sons. How you find yourself saying yes to all kinds of things. He and Beatrice weren’t able to have all of the children they were expecting before and after Rafael survived, and to not put Beatrice’s life at risk any further, they stopped so now it was up to Rafael for them to have more children to care for.

"You never really spoke of children in the past. When do you think you will marry?" River questioned.

"After a few things are taken care of, I will propose. She wants to see more of the kingdom so I will take her on a trip and do it during that time. We’d have no time to plan a wedding with how busy our lives are now and I would like her to have something grand. Not something rushed she looks back on and finds flaws," Rafael said.

"I think you are forgetting that your mother would singlehandedly take over to plan a wedding if you and Annalise are busy. That woman would do miracles if it meant you getting married and giving her grandchildren. I feel sorry for you," River chuckled, happy he wasn’t in Rafael’s shoes.

"If you love me, you’ll save me," Rafael said, looking to his father for help for the future.

"I can win wars using a sword, but I rarely win against your mother. You are on your own, son."

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