The gilded handle looked heavy with the expectation of what lay beyond, but in Fallon's confident grip opened the door with the ease it was designed to perform. I really wasn't ready to see him, to meet him yet, but before I could think of anything else I was standing before him. Even as proper as the setting was with Ronan's pre-established social structures, once I saw his familiar face and his bright blue eyes I couldn't help but run full-force into his arms. More accurately, I charged into him and my tiny body bounced off without moving him an inch. He caught me by the upper arms before I could fall backwards and gave me a somewhat perplexed look. Realistically, of course he wouldn't hug me back, being my personal knight. Tch. Social classes. Still, he was here.

It felt novel to physically be caught by him. The closest dynamic that might compare is seeing your favourite musician live for the first time and touching their hand, but even still this was different. Unlike some unbridled and one-sided idealization, Avery belonged to me. He was my knight, and though he knew me very little, it was literally his job to patiently find out more. I wasn't some appreciative stranger, but his bondsman. It filled my head with all sorts of strange ideas, and I couldn't really process what it yet meant to be a noble that held the pledged loyalty of other people.

I looked up at his puzzled face and he stiffly settled his posture as I stepped back. I took this opportunity to fully appreciate his looks; straight golden brown hair which fell neatly against his brow and eyes that were ever so slightly deep-set, giving him an air of tiredness. His broad shoulders suited his lean frame lending him a powerful and confident presence whilst not being bulky or imposing. Matching his age, he was clean shaven, which men in Ronan maintained until entering their 40s. He was pretty picturesque as a young knight.

It was easy to imagine the impressive figure he would cut in full armor, but today he wore formal attire. Bedecked in the colours of House Kruscia, he had on a dark blue waist coat and vest conservatively embellished with silver embroidery at the hems. Matching slacks so neatly laundered they had press-lines and shiny black boots pulled his outfit together as the very portrait of a Kruscian knight. His smart appearance seemed to hint at an important occasion. It must be today that would be my first meeting between The Duke and I since my arrival.

I grinned, deciding that I should behave until I properly established my bearings. He wasn't my etiquette teacher, so any unladylike behavior would be overlooked given his position, but we were both new to one another. I resolved to try and control myself, at least for now. There would always be time to properly appreciate -and bother- him later.

“Karina greets Sir Avery Rosen.” I said, curtsying as best my untrained mind could recall. “I apologize for my unabashed affection. I couldn't control my pleasure at meeting the one who has sworn to protect me. It is a very moving pledge.” It wasn't entirely false, but I honestly just wanted to comfort him. After all, my entire life had been spent hoping for his happiness. He wasn't suffering here yet though, so my feelings were somewhat unfitting. Ah well. It's hard to suppress a lifetime of concern. I gave him my best smile, trying to seem bashful.

His shoulders relaxed, but only minutely. Bending at the hip, he bowed to me.

“And I greet my lady Karina sol Kruscia.” he spoke deferentially, without hesitation.

“May the bright future of Ronan illuminate your path. You have my loyalty and it requires no acknowledgment, but I shall treasure your enthusiasm, My Lady.” Very stoic. He wasn't described as such in the novel, but it was to be expected there would be some surprises. A novel can depict only so much after all.

I vaguely remembered the greeting of illumination, exclusively spoken for the heirs of prominent nobles. To think I was one such person now.

“Let us now meet with the Duke, if you are ready.” he said, offering me his right arm. I placed my left hand in the crook of his arm, only now noticing the sleek black buttons adorning his clothing. If I recalled correctly, knights' formal attire should have buttons of silver, but Avery's personal dislike of excess seemed to be at play here. I knew I liked him.

We strode in silence as I absorbed the lovely manor-or castle?- that was to be my new home. The walls were a bit more conservative outside of my room, ranging in warm tones of brown and sandy gray, and in some corridors we passed, white. I must have been on the west wing of the house as the sun shone generously through the windows, lighting up all of the fanciful curios The Duke had on display. Most were as one might expect from a semi-royal manor like vases ranging from elegant to bizarre, but others were more interesting. A large ornate silver-white snake statue with golden eyes sat on a marble pedestal, directly in line to the window light. It was quite life-like, to a mesmerising degree. I didn't realise I had stopped walking until Avery gave me a gentle tug. I nodded and made a quick mental note to do some exploring later on my lonesome.

Even with him slowing his pace, I found my body to be uncoordinated and difficult in which to judge distance. Though my brain knew how to properly control my movement, it had other expectations in terms of perceiving pacing and reach. Hopefully everyone would interpret my time of transitional adjustment as the mere clumsiness most children are prone.

We approached an elegantly embellished staircase and at this I noted there were at least 3 visible floors. The dining hall would be on the first floor from what I remembered, with guest rooms and servants' quarters filling the second floor, meaning I was currently staying in a guest room. Perhaps later I would be granted my own room above. I was only newly arrived after all.

Avery seemed unsure as to maintain an awkward step alongside my descent or simply follow behind since the former would be safer, but the latter more proper. His face was quite the open book for a man already 30. It almost made me crack a smile. Almost.

I decided to stop enjoying his mental struggle and made the choice for him. Stepping forward, I led the way down, grateful for the aid of the railing. Onwards to meet the Grand Duke, Kinian Kruscia, my new father.