The Robber Knight's Love (The Robber Knight Saga #2)(9)

“Nonsense,” the count said with a wave of his hand. His voice might be brittle and old, but its tone was both firm and kind. “You heard what my daughter said. You're entering my service. I am so old and sickly, I need constant supervision.” He made an effort to look especially weary as he spoke. “In fact, you would be failing in your duties to your liege lord if you didn't stay with me.”

“Well…” the woman still hesitated. “If that is the case…”

“It is, it is,” the count confirmed. He pointed towards the back of the room. “Over there is another bed, sheets and pillows are in the chest by the window. You and your little ones make yourself comfortable. You've had a long night, and I'm sure you are exhausted. I will call you when I need you.”

Gratefully, the woman nodded and went to make a bed for her and her children, who were still staring at Ayla with big eyes.

“I see you have learned the merit of diplomacy,” the count quietly said to his daughter. They shared a brief smile. Then, the count's eyes flickered over to the staring children.

“Why are their eyeballs almost popping out of their sockets?” He asked in an even lower voice.

Ayla shrugged. “I guess they're just impressed. It's their first meeting with a count, after all.”

“Yes, but they are staring not at me, but at you.”

“Are they? I hadn't noticed.”

“You are a terrible liar, my child.”

Ayla scowled. “I wonder who I inherited that trait from. It's not my fault that I'm the daughter of the most honorable and upright man in the entire Holy Roman Empire.”

The count frowned.

“Flattery won't get you out of this, Ayla. What are you hiding?”

Ayla plastered a smile on her face. “Nothing, nothing. Rest now, will you? I have things to do, so I probably will not be able to come see you for a while. But now I know you're well cared for.”

And before the count could protest, she had kissed him on the cheek and was out the door.

Outside, she rid herself of the cloak she had thrown over before coming to see her father, thereby revealing the large tear-stains on her dress where she had wiped her eyes with the cloth. She really needed to change.

~~*~~*

Ayla left her chambers dressed in a fresh white linen dress. She was acutely aware that it was the last time she would be able to change in her chambers for a while if she managed to implement her plans against Burchard's resistance.

Oh, well, there were many noblemen who didn't wash or change their clothes for weeks on end. What did it signify? She might not even live that long. And it wasn't like she wanted to look her best for someone. Not now, that Reuben—

Ayla stopped that thought in its track. She had to remember that in truth, she had never had any feelings for that traitor. Yes, that was something she had to keep in mind.

She also had to start working now. Watches on the wall, rationing of food and water, there were a hundred things that needed to be organized.

Those are only two things, that nasty little voice in the back of her mind said. Not a hundred. And there is one matter more important than anything else. The sentencing of a traitor within your walls.

No, no, that could wait. He was well guarded. She needed time to think!

Desperate for some quiet and fresh air, Ayla left the keep and made her way to the back, to the little orchard where she had found peace and serenity so often before.

Before Reuben.

No. It would help, even now. She would find her peace and strength again—for her people. It surely shouldn't be so difficult to forget a man who had never cared for her in the slightest. As Ayla entered the little orchard and felt the trees enclosing her in their arms like old friends, her breathing steadied and her mind relaxed. She would be herself again. She needed no man. She was strong and independent.

“Hey!” a voice suddenly came from behind her out of the darkness, and somebody grabbed her sleeve.

Flinching, Ayla whirled around.





Miniature Betrayal

Fye tugged again on the sleeve of the pretty blonde lady and stared up at the face far above her. The lady looked funny. Her eyes were all puffed up, but Fye couldn't waste any time wondering why. She was on a mission.

The blonde lady, Ayla, wiped water from her puffy eyes and bent down, smiling, though a bit weakly.

“Y-yes, my girl? What is it?”

“I'm bored,” Fye declared, holding up her two dolls—the knight and the lady. “I'm tired of my old game and want a new one.”

“I see. And how can I help?”

“I wanted to ask your opinion. You see, at the start, I thought it would be fun to have Sir Reuben,” she held up the knight doll, “save his Lady so they could both live happily ever after.”

“Sounds nice,” whispered the blonde lady, although her smile wavered as she said it.

“No, no.” Fye scowled. “That's what I thought at first, too. But then I realized it's soooo boring. So, how about this: Sir Reuben betrays his lady and becomes evil!” She smiled, proud of her innovative idea. “Wouldn't that be much more interesting, do you think?”

Suddenly the wet stuff started to leak out of the blonde lady's eyes again. She turned abruptly and hurried away, clutching her face in her hands and wailing like a pig with a sore foot.