“Are you alright?” Santiago turned to her and took a hold of her arm. “Were you hurt?”

Rocío instinctively rubbed her wrist, easing the hot skin that burned from her Father’s grip. She nodded slowly. “Yes, I’m fine,” she mumbled, not looking up at him. She stared off at a spot on the floor, thinking it over. 

There was some shuffling before a chair was moved and the three siblings looked towards their mother that had finally stood up. Her honey eyes locked onto Rocío’s and she immediately looked away. 

“I should be off,” she murmured, barely going unheard by her children. She then walked out of the room, as if nothing had transpired.

Santiago’s jaw clenched and Rocío could immediately tell he was holding back whatever he wished to express. Instead, he took a deep breath and looked back towards his sisters. “Alright, let’s get you back to your room,” he offered, leading Rocío towards the door. “We can get some food delivered to your room, what do you think?”

Rocío couldn’t get her father’s ice cold gaze out of her mind, nor could she erase the memory of his anger-twisted face. His frightening countenance was burned into the back of her eyelids, possibly to haunt her for the next few days. Suppressing the tears in her eyes was enough to keep her mind occupied as her brother ushered her through the halls.

“Whatever Father says, don’t mind him,” Santiago scoffed, “I won’t let him marry you off to a horrible man like Sir Lisandro. You don’t even have to meet him, I’ll drive him away for you, all you have to do is tell me when he comes.”

Rocío simply nodded along, still reminded of her father’s face.

Santiago paused. “Rocío, are you sure you’re alright?” His brows furrowed and his lips stretched into a thin line, concern written all over his face.

“Hm?” She looked up at him. “Ah, yes, I guess…I’m just shocked.” She tried to smile so as to placate her brother’s concern.

Santiago’s eyes filled with pain. “I’m so sorry this happened,” he brought her into a tight hug.

Rocío frowned, “It’s not your fault. Father was just cross with me is all.”

Santiago pulled away. “Cross is an understatement,” he chuckled bitterly before squeezing her arms gently. “I’m sorry I didn’t defend you better.”

Rocío offered him a soft and tender smile. “You did more than enough,” she assured him. “Plus, you know Father, Elena is the only one who can talk any sense into him.”

“I know,” he groaned, “I just wish I could’ve done more.”

Rocío took his hand and rubbed circles on it gently. “You and I did the best we could. Now, let’s talk about something else. Has mother really sent a letter out to Marquis Félix inviting him for tea?” She then continued down the hallway, being followed closely by her brother.

Santiago sighed, “Yes, it’s true.”

“Hm.” Rocío nodded. “Are you not looking forward to it? Aren’t the two of you friends?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, we are,” her brother nodded. “We became quite close after he was stationed with us.”

“Was that after the famous Battle of Meldelio?”

Santiago nodded. “Yes, I remember being quite nervous to meet him for the first time, the rumours had always said he was so ruthless.”

“Well, he did brutally kill an entire squadron of Emer’s knights, didn’t he?”

“Yes…” he looked down. “It was quite the affair.”

“Is that why you’re worried about his coming?”

Santiago shook his head. “No, whatever he did in battle was rather justified, though I can’t help but be worried about your reaction to him.”

Rocío raised an eyebrow. “Why? Are you afraid I’ll fall for him?” She teased.

Santiago laughed. “No, no…I, I am being senseless. Either way, having him come visit is good news.”

She wouldn’t quite classify his visit as good news but she agreed it was a change. “Has a date been set?”

“Sometime early next week is what I hear,” Santiago informed her, clasping his hands behind his back. “I was hoping to catch up with him a bit more after his tea time with you and mother.”

“Then will you be riding out?”

Santiago nodded. “Well, that’s the plan. If it decides to rain, then I’ll entertain him in my office.”

“Surely you’ll offer him some good wine if it comes to that. You can’t possibly entertain him with that bitter stuff you have.”

He laughed. “I’m afraid he likes bitter wines too, Rosie.”

“Both of you have no sense of taste,” she blew a raspberry and sped up, causing Santiago to pick up his pace as well.