“Do you feel as though the duke might be welcoming my advances or just being polite with me?” The question was intended for Ajax who’d be accompanying her around the castle and saw most of the encounters.

Gyla managed to have a few words with the duke, but all very brief and not very satisfying. He did not mention their strange conversation again, to her disappointment. 

Her subtle approaches wore on her nerves. She wanted to talk to the man. She understood his shy demeanor, the duties he took to heart, and his love for his people. He spoke with pride about his family and the history of Aedon. He even smiled as he explained the excitement of his people for the festivals. 

All good things, no doubt. Still, she wanted to talk. A good man as honorable as he could only ever be a match should they actually have things they like about one another. She liked what she saw but behind closed doors? In the quiet hours of the day? When he was reading or riding? How did he behave then? 

So many questions that couldn’t possibly be answered by brief conversations in the corridor!

“I don’t know, my lady,” Ajax spoke softly from where he leaned against the wall. “If I did, I would answer you honestly.” 

“I know.” Disappointed, Gyla left her room to wander down into the courtyard. 

Nothing of interest there, so she ventured back to the tallest tower to watch the forest. 

Ajax, Phlad, and Naomi followed behind her. Ajax pulled the lone bench to the window so that Gyla and Naomi could sit and watch the trees. 

“I miss home.” Gyla bit her lip as tears pooled in her eye. “All of this is starting to grate on my nerves.” 

“It would be more reassuring to have received a proper sign,” Naomi agreed. 

“Perhaps, this is a sign of rejection and I do not wish to see it.” She slumped against her maid with a pout. 

“I think that may be too harsh of a judgment,” Ajax tried to reassure her but his words fell on deaf ears. 

Gyla wanted to pout and cry her frustration until the heaviness in her chest rescinded. 

“Maybe a ride through the forest?” Naomi suggested. “It will not be like home, but while we are here, we might as well explore.” 

Gyla nodded and after a few more moments of rest, they headed for the stables. Namoi remained behind to get some much needed mending done but Ajax and Phlad loyally followed her down the riding path. She galloped through the trees at a pace faster than her guards would have liked. She stopped when her legs felt numb and her horse whined for a break. 

She heaved for air, but this air was too warm. The chill of the night was extinguished by the heat of the sun. No fog swirled in front of her the way it always did at home.

The differences began to hurt her heart more than she could bear. The exciting prospect of the hunt became a steady burden. The fear of rejection weighed her muscles. 

A thunderous set of hooves pulled her from her thoughts and she whirled her horse to face the intruder. Both her guards did the same, drawing their swords in defense. 

Gyla almost laughed as the two figures came into view. Of course, the duke and one of his guards followed them. 

Ajax and Phlad sheathed their swords and reigned their horses back. 

“Your Grace!” Gyla called with a laugh. “You startled my guards!”

“I apologize,” he spoke once he stopped in front of her, his brows furrowed in concern. “I saw you leaving for the riding trail.”

“I needed a good run.” She patted her horse’s neck. “Your steward said the trail would be safe for me…”

“It is,” the duke agreed and heaved a large sigh. “Shall we continue?” He kicked his horse forward to stand beside her.

“If you have the time.”

“I do.” 

And off they rode. A steadier pace this time. 

“I know these forests are not your own,” he began after silence had settled between them for too long, “but I hope you enjoy them nevertheless.” 

“I love nature, Your Grace.” Some tiny part of her hoped for that talk she’d been wanting. 

“As do I.” He cleared his throat and asked, “May I call you Gyla?”

“Of course,” the question came as a shock, but she would welcome a more friendly address.

“Then, please call me Basil.”

Gyla realized then, no one had actually told her of the duke’s name. The Duke of Hermilant. Duke Dominis. The Count of Lindsor Patch. Count Dominis. Now, Basil Dominis. 

“If it pleases you.” She wanted to curse. Maybe this was the problem. Her soft approach of pleasing answers and neutral stances. She should be more assertive. “Tell me something about your forests, Basil.”

“What would you like to know?” He glanced at her, that softening of ocean eyes she’d begun to crave. 

“Anything. Everything.” He said he loved nature, she wanted to hear it. 

“I know these pines are centuries old. I could recognize most of the bird calls you hear in the morning. There are three types of owls that frequent this side, mostly hunting in the groves and in town for mice and other rodents. I have a room dedicated to it, I shall show you once we return.” 

There. A conversation. 

Gyla felt pleased, cheeks pink in her happiness as he sought to answer her question thoroughly. 

“You log, do you not?” She asked as he petered out in his response. 

He breathed harshly through his nose. One hand rubbed at his burn mark almost as if in pain. 

“We supply lumber for His Majesty and it is what built the Blackvern Manor.” He continued on about supplying lumber to various other lords mostly for construction and shipbuilding. 

“Would I be able to see such a site?” Gyla almost bit back the question. 

“There is such a site, half a day’s ride away.” Basil frowned at her. “You would want to see it?” 

“I would love to,” she smiled at him. “I see everything in the barony, the ranches, the mines. Though, we do not supply lumber outside of the barony. We like to keep nature as undisturbed as possible.” 

Unlike the Count of Torbridge. Gyla shook the thought before she could sneer and upset the current mood. 

“I can take you tomorrow.” Basil nodded, still frowning with that adorable crinkle on his forehead. 

“I guess, I should preface that I would not mind being denied should it be too dangerous or I be a distraction.” She might be wild, but she tried hard not to be foolish. 

“I will ensure your safety,” Basil promised, face softening at her sudden apprehension. “I often go myself to speak with the men. I am due to go again.” 

Quite proud of herself, Gyla smiled all the way back to the castle.