After I finished eating, I leaned back against the chair and rubbed my very full stomach. I sat and stared happily out the window. Evening had begun to creep in, but it did not stop the birds from loudly chirping. The little courtyard below had a small silver fountain surrounded by a garden. Small yellow birds were bathing themselves in the water. A few brown leaves had made their way into the fountain, they slowly moved about as the birds disturbed their rest. It was going to get colder very soon. I wondered if I should open a window to let some air in, or if it would be too cold.

Is it cold back at the tower? I wonder what Dusk is doing. Has she eaten yet? Has Adare returned home? I hope everyone is alright. I should ask for something to write with when the maid returns. I need to write home. And I need to write to Uncle about today's little mishap, before he hears about it from someone else. I should have thought about bringing some paper with me. I wish I could just go to sleep now.     

I was contemplating getting into the bath without my change of clothing when I heard another knock on the door.

Quickly, I sat up straight, and made sure there were no signs of me eating like a little child on my battered clothing, before raising my voice and asking the visitor to come in.

I was expecting Holly to walk in again, but this time it was a man. He was wearing the shiny silver armour of the palace knights, a small sword by his side. Without looking too much around the room, he walked in, my suitcases with him. One in each hand. Then he let go of them, and they landed with a loud thud on the floor. I was surprised they stayed upright. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

We stared at each other for a moment before he finally spoke.

“Good evening… my lady,” he said. His voice sounded strained. It was clear he did not like me, but was trying not to let it show. He put a hand to his chest and stiffly bowed.

I wonder what his facial expression is behind that helmet. I don’t think he’s even allowed to wear his helmet indoors. At least, not unless he is on guard duty. It’s clear he doesn’t like me. But why? What have I even done to him? Yet another stranger who hates me for my house. How many will I meet within the palace I wonder. I guess he isn’t going to introduce himself either. I could press the matter… no. I shouldn’t… let’s not get into any unnecessary arguments Dawn.

I tried not to take it too personally and nodded. “Good evening sir… knight.”

“Your luggage has been inspected, my lady,” he quickly said, almost cutting me off. He seemed to grit his teeth towards the end of his sentence. I think he did not like calling me ‘my lady’ one bit. “It seems you are bringing very unusual pieces of… equipment. As it is a matter of palace security, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

I sighed, feigned a disinterested air, and looked out the window for a moment.

Of course something I brought is going to cause issue. I should have known. What could it be? But there isn’t anything that would warrant too much suspicion. At least, not from a daughter of Thorn.

“Very well then, you may carry on. What is it that you would like to know?”

“What are they for?” He said abruptly.

“What is what for?” I said candidly. “I have many things in there. Surely you would not like me to go over every piece of garment and item I brought?”

He sighed. I could almost hear him rolling his eyes underneath his helmet.

Was this their most amicable knight? If this is the demeanour of a knight sent to actually talk to me, what do all the knights think of me?

I would have my own personal knight soon. If all the knights hated me, was he going to hate me too? Before getting to know me as I am, and not a lady from the House of Thorn? I brushed away the thought. I couldn’t afford to be pessimistic. It would do me no good.

This knight would be my lifeline. Someone who would save me from danger. If he hated me, would he do what he was assigned to do? No. Let’s not think this way. If he does not have a good view of me, I’m sure I could change his mind.

“The instruments, my lady,” the knight replied. “Clearly, you did not bring them for recreational purposes. The head alchemist said that they should not be a serious issue, if you are not planning on anything nefarious.”

I see. You assume that I am planning something nefarious then. My, my, my.

I sighed. “Really now. Surely you know who I am?”

“Yes my lady,” he said gritting his teeth.

“And you know what my house is known for?”

“Yes… my lady.”

“And so then, is it your supposition that I’m here to poison the competition?”

Not wanting to lie, he did not open his mouth to speak.

“And, do tell sir knight, with what ingredients would I accomplish that with? Hm? The ingredients I have brought from home? Oh wait. That’s right. I did not bring any ingredients from home,” I said as I narrowed my eyes.

Again the knight chose not to open his mouth.

Though, I’m sure I could actually find something around the royal grounds or the woods beside given some time. But he does not have to know that.

I sighed. “Do you really think that I would do something so obvious and bring my own tools to make poisons for the other ladies and ask you knights to check through them? If I was planning on harming the other ladies surely I would have hidden things better, instead of bringing suspicion upon myself by letting you root through my belongings? I suppose that is what the head alchemist also said, yes? Hm? Or maybe you think I would have hid it on my person? Do you need to check me too? Would you like to?” I said standing up, the chair scrapping back angrily against the floor as I did. “Well? Are you going to?”

Please don’t. Please don’t. Please don’t.

The man looked down. I could hear a noise as though he was gritting his teeth. I wondered if he was embarrassed.

Or maybe just angry.

I stood and tapped my foot, waiting for the young man to make a move. But he did not do anything. I noticed he clenched and unclenched his hands a few couple of times.

Did he want to take out his blade?

Suddenly the door burst open and Holly marched into the room. For a brief second, she looked panicked as she saw the knight standing in my quarters. But she quickly brought her facial expressions back to neutral.

“I’m sorry my lady, the boy was not authorised to speak to you,” she said, bowing. She did not look at the knight, but neither did she make proper eye contact with me.

“Oh? Well, I don’t know what the word authorised means to the palace, but he certainly is here speaking to me. And quite boldly at that.”

“What… what has he done my lady?” She asked.

“He questioned me about my belongings. And I believe he was insinuating that he should search my person.”

Holly raised her eyebrows, and anger flashed quickly across her face. She turned to the boy, who stood rigid.

“I apologise once again my lady,” she said, with a much deeper bow to me. “You are not obliged to answer any questions my lady, in fact, I am one of the only people who are authorised to talk to you who is of a lower status than the under-steward,” she said, her voice still neutral, though with a slight tinge of anger. “Everyone else should be talking to you through me.”

To stop any plots against the contestants, there were very few people that were approved for us to speak with. I did not forget that, but I didn’t think I would need to be on my guard before the competition even began. And not to the man who was to bring my belongings.  

“No need to apologise,” I said. I looked to the man. “Well then. Unauthorised knight. You may leave.”

The knight bowed quickly and then loudly walked away, muttering under his breath. I was surprised he did not slam the door behind him.

I knew that there would not be many people favourable to me and the House of Thorn. It was not the first time that people had shown scorn against me. But somehow seeing it so blatantly outside the dukedom hurt.

“Not everyone will like you,” Martha had warned me before leaving. “And you don’t owe it to anyone to make yourself likeable. You do what you need to do, and get out of there. They don’t need to like you and you don’t need to like them. Though I do wish you would learn to make a friend or two. But your safety and your feelings are what matter to me most. So stay safe my little lady.”  

“I’m so sorry, my lady,” Holly said. “I was meant to bring the suitcases. When I went to retrieve them, the boy had already stolen them and was on his way to you. I apologise again for my lack of foresight.”

She seems to be covering for this knight. Perhaps she knows him and is trying to keep him safe. I shouldn’t question it too much. I don’t want Holly to hate me as well. Or at least, hate me more than she’s hiding. No. Let’s not think that. It’s fine. Stay positive.  

“It’s fine,” I said waving my hand, trying my best to keep my face neutral. “Well then, feel free to leave.”