“Sir, personally it sounds as if it’s an outrageous amount of extra work considering my income and the social status of my occupation,” stated Lark in his most scholarly voice.

“Of course, you’ll be one of the people with the most work. Anyone who objects to Lark as my second, raise their hand.”

Everyone in the room looked this way and that and Lark looked hurt by the betrayal. It shouldn’t have surprised him at all since besides Altair he had always ended up being Sorin’s direct subordinate as they climbed through the ranks. Somehow Sorin’s indifference and Lark’s chaos just worked.

“Now that’s sorted, let’s work out our itinerary.”

“But Sir, if the patrols are usually two weeks, will there be enough funding for our supplies besides what we can supplement with hunting?”

Captain Sokol had asked a valid question and then all nodded slightly after.

Running a month-long patrol expedition of course required at least basic supplies and weapons. Further north, the climate became harsher, the border situation was in chaos and banditry was rife.

Although the region was not part of Louvaros, a few of the smaller regional lords in Surcaster without big armies understood the duke could deal better with these situations for an exchange of certain resources of course.

They had decided to sign a treaty amongst themselves about such occurrences since they were too far from the royal capital for the king to care about their grievances.

“I know that with the current budgets especially with the new recruits and the recent campaign, I’m reaching if we go for a month. So, I’ll put together funds for the remainder of the patrol. Asking for extra funding would only decrease the resources elsewhere.”

“But Sir-”

“Ilao, I’d rather do that than lose people due to lack of supplies. Those soldiers need as much experience and training they can get before the campaign.”

They couldn’t protest the very good point he had just made but it didn’t feel right having him using his personal resources for them. They were determined to make the most of this opportunity considering that it was at their leader’s expense.

Funding supplies for more than a thousand people and some horses for almost a month was nothing to sneer upon. Knowing about his strained relationship with his family, they doubted that he meant he would use the family’s resources, besides the army was already mostly funded by the Ulfric family.

It collectively sunk in for them that although Sorin had lived amongst them for more than three years through the roughest conditions, the man was an aristocrat after all and not just one of those with an empty title.

It was at times such as these when his air of an imposing young Lord shined through. Even in his ruggedness there was a certain refinement in his demeanour.

***

The build-up for the birthday event was already at its peak when Kamaria had a message delivered from Khayri to meet him on the training grounds for the imperial guards. She had been living at the commander’s residence for a few days which was nothing unusual, but this invite certainly was.

Since when was Khayri so formal when doing things? But she sent the messenger back to agree to the invitation.

While conversing with a scholar, Edan spotted Kamaria and her attendant walking along one of the passages. The palace city was enormous with multiple facilities and residences, the grounds of the Academy were only but a small part of it.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

After sorting out a few things at the Academy Kamaria was about to get a carriage to the training grounds when they were interrupted.

“Princess,” someone said while stepping in front of them.

In an instant, Lili defensively stood in front of Kamaria with her arm out to the side which surprised Edan. He couldn’t make sense of when Lili had moved.

If she was that capable, why hadn’t she done something when Elodie’s maid tried to attack her. The question only lingered in his mind for a second before coming back to his main objective.

“Apologies, did this subject surprise your Highness?” he asked with a smile.

Lili was still hesitant but had no choice but to silently step away. It wouldn’t do her any good being hostile with someone like him, but she still wasn’t very fond of him.

“Did Sir Dunbar have business with this Princess?”

“Not business as such, it’s just when this subject saw the princess, he was reminded of what happened the other day and was wondering if she recovered well.”

The formal yet gentle tone of his voice even made Kamaria look at Edan in a new light. No wonder he was so popular and had so many admirers.

On more than a few occasions, she had heard the ladies discussing how amazing he seemed, and even young men and others worshipped the ground he walked on because he was so well-spoken and educated but also talented in a variety of sports. An all-round perfect gentleman.

The darling of the people was suddenly giving her the time of day. What was he trying to do?

“They were just scratches; they’ve cleared by now.”

“It’s just this subject knows how important aesthetic is for a noble not to mention a princess and wanted to make sure the injury was not serious. I’m quite ashamed that I was too slow and could only stand by that day. Asking for Princess’s pardon,” he said with a bow which made some of the students walking around pause for a few moments before leaving the scene.

“Oh, no, please don’t. It happened too fast for anyone to react. Thank you for the concern.”

“I appreciate Princess’s understanding,” said Edan with a smile.

He took a step closer to her, but she unconsciously moved back, and he realised that he might have scared her.

How was it possible for anyone to be so adorably innocent? Usually, people fawned over him, but her reaction was refreshing. Maybe she was even more interesting than he had initially thought.

“If your Highness doesn’t mi-”

“If the same amount of effort some people used for socialising on my academy grounds went into studying, they’d be considered geniuses,” suddenly commented a voice.

They turned only to face Professor Tusi and one of his assistants. The scholar casually had his hands behind his back while his assistant carried a leather satchel with a stack of books and scrolls in his arms.

“Professor Tusi, I hardly think picking on the princess’s abilities is very appropriate. She’s at least more educated than most young women her age.”

Kamaria gave Edan a look, but he didn’t seem to notice. In all his speed to defend her, why did he assume the professor was speaking about her?

“If reading a few popular literary and poetry works is considered educated, then all people who can read are cultured.”

Edan was about to comment but thought it better not to offend the scholar since he was a respected and influential figure.

“Anyway, I don’t appreciate this skirt chasing socialising on my grounds with my students. Kindly take your leave young Dunbar.”

Edan reluctantly glanced at Kamaria before bowing to both of them then leaving. The professor raised his eyebrow as he watched the young man walk past him. He certainly tried hard to maintain his reputation of being a gentleman even when there was no one around to see it.

“If looks could kill, that boy would have been dead a thousand times over. He should thank me for saving him from the brewing storm next to you,” commented the old man to Kamaria as he walked away, simply amused at the usually composed Lili.

“Also, try not find yourself in a situation where you are alone with him. I’ve heard some unsavoury things about that family.”

“Yes, Dean Tusi,” said Kamaria with a polite nod but with clear mischievousness in her tone.

She barely ever addressed him as Dean unless she was making trouble.

About Edan, she didn’t need to be told twice. He didn’t exactly make her comfortable no matter how polite he was towards her. It was highly unusual that he would just change his opinion of her overnight when he had sat sneering while she was being insulted. Lili was also relieved when he left without incident.