Warren had fallen asleep early and in the morning was feeling both refreshed and incredibly talkative. While sweeping around the table, he began pestering Lady Rosa with questions about what he was going to do once he left the cottage.

“We’ll have time for all that later,” was all she said. Warren grumbled, frustrated, but didn’t say anything in reply.

“Why don’t you tell us about Faylinn?” Duncan asked. “Perhaps it would help to think of home.”

Warren’s shoulders slumped. “I’d…I’d rather not.”

Duncan eyed him apologetically. “I hadn’t meant to upset you. Perhaps you’d rather Lady Rosa or myself tell stories about-” he exchanged glances with Lady Rosa, “Edrys?”

The broom in Warren’s hands clattered to the floor. “You’re Edrian?”

Lady Rosa shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s not that big a deal.”

Warren bent down to pick up the broom and continued sweeping. “I guess it’s not,” he said, though admittedly it was a bigger deal than he let on. After all, Edrys was out to kill Faylinn’s people and continue this seemingly endless war. But Duncan and Lady Rosa were Edrian, and they cared for him when he was most vulnerable.

“I guess I’m just…confused,” he said a little while later when they sat down for breakfast.

“About…?” Duncan asked as he sipped his tea.

“Well, Edrys started the war and so many of our knights died because of them. All I’ve ever heard is that Edrys is a terrible, hateful kingdom.”

“While it’s true Edrys started the war over a decade ago,” Lady Rosa interjected, “I don’t think your idea of the place is completely…accurate.”

“Oh?” Warren remarked with a raised eyebrow.

Duncan nodded. “The royal family was always quite kind to the wounded soldiers that were brought to the castle as prisoners, even allowing them to receive medical treatment and warm clothing. Lady Rosa and I worked as royal medics shortly after the war started, only leaving when we were ordered to so we wouldn’t be killed.”

Lady Rosa lightly punched Warren’s arm. “I think you’ll be surprised when you meet the king and queen. Hopefully your opinion of them will improve.”

Warren nodded but didn’t say anything.

For the rest of the day Warren was relatively quiet. Duncan attempted to strike up conversation multiple times while he sewed or cooked but Warren would just leave the room. He ended up lying in bed, staring at the ceiling until dinner was ready.

“I would say this is a nice change of pace,” Lady Rosa remarked, “but then I’d be lying. Why so quiet, Sir Warren?”

Warren tapped his fingers against the table. “Just…thinking.”

Lady Rosa smirked. “Alright. And thank you for finally acknowledging us again.”

Duncan put a hand on her shoulder. “Lady Rosa and I are just…concerned.”

“I’m sure,” Warren said while pushing mashed potatoes around his plate with his fork. He sighed. “I’d planned to just run in, picking fights and getting Rei back by force. Now these “evil soldiers” are people to me. I dunno how to feel about everything.”

Lady Rosa eyed him sympathetically. “You’ll have time to think about this on the road,” she said. “You’re leaving tomorrow.”

Warren jumped up in surprise, spilling his glass of water all over himself. He flushed with embarrassment, grabbing a towel from the kitchen counter. “Excuse me,” he said, clearing his dishes and heading to bed.

“Goodnight!” Duncan called.

“G-Goodnight,” Warren replied through the door, his face still burning.

Go to sleep already. You’ve apparently got a big day ahead of you.

With a sigh, he changed clothes and flopped onto the bed, surprised to find himself falling asleep almost instantly.