The Amber Knight Swears His Love on the Saintess’s Left Hand - Chapter 5

By all appearances, Lynette Ceryes was a master of social grace.

His parents and siblings entertained her with warm smiles. In return, Lynette wore that same impeccable, practiced smile, offering delicate responses and using just the right amount of nodding and gesturing to keep the conversation flowing seamlessly.

Watching her, no one would ever suspect she lacked emotion. She would melt into an evening ball without a hint of friction. Her conduct was that of a dignified young lady whom everyone would be clamoring to speak with.

As for Quill…

He managed to knock over a finger bowl with spectacular clumsiness, confused his knife for his spoon, and choked on his drink when someone addressed him suddenly. His father wore an expression of exasperated amusement, while his mother tried to smooth things over, saying, “He’s just so smitten with such a lovely partner that he’s walking on air.”

Walking on air? I’m more likely to collapse into the floor, he thought.

Eating at the townhouse for the first time in ages made him restless enough. To do so with a fiancée whose true thoughts were a mystery was a task too daunting to enjoy.

Everyone at the table knew the Saint was devoid of emotion. Yet, the time passed with agonizing tranquility.

Sitting at a table that felt like a miniature, high-pressure version of a royal gala, Quill chewed his fish as if it were sand and forced it down his throat.

Just as he was beginning to miss the familiar air of the knight’s mess hall, wondering if tonight’s main course back at the barracks was herb-roasted chicken—his father spoke.

“Why don’t you stay here at the manor for a while?”

Startled by the suggestion, Quill accidentally inhaled his water. As he coughed violently, Lynette, sitting beside him, reached out to offer him a table napkin. He declined with a wave of his right hand and used his own napkin to pull himself together.

“I have night watch duties, and the commute to the station from here takes too long.”

“But spending time with Lady Lynette is also important.”

“Sudden subjugation orders come in as well. It’s not ideal to come straight here after a hunt, and my return times are never consistent.”

A Black Knight’s work was unpredictable, dealing with magical beasts. And no matter how much they helped people, it was “dirty” work. You were covered in blood and fluids, and injuries were common. Black Knights almost exclusively lived in the barracks.

With the Saint’s protection recently renewed, hunts would decrease. Some knights might switch to living at home, but Quill didn’t want to bring that “impurity” into the House of Langbart.

His father should have known his policy well. He hadn’t expected his living arrangements to be questioned now. Is this another side effect of the engagement?

“Surely, you’re staying the night tonight, at least?”

Now his mother was pushing, too. Since he’d settled into his life as a knight, they hadn’t tried to keep him home much, so he couldn’t find the right words to decline gently on the spot. Outside the window, the sky had turned to a deep, nocturnal indigo.

He started to shift, thinking he should take his leave before it got any later. Instantly, Adele fired a shot.

“Brother, I helped prepare the dessert tonight. I do hope it’s to your liking.”

Sharp as a tack. Now that his little sister had essentially pinned him to his seat, there was no escape. Quill’s shoulders slumped.

“I’ll return to the barracks tomorrow morning.”

Across from him, Lars’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. Beside him, his sister-in-law Hilde spoke up.

“Then we shall all be together for breakfast tomorrow as well. How lovely.”

Even his sister-in-law had joined the enemy ranks. Quill looked at Hilde with a silent plea for help, only to be met with a radiantly warm smile.

He tilted his head back and stared at the high ceiling. This height was exactly what made him uneasy; he longed for the low, oppressive ceilings of the barracks.

“Everyone, if you are pressuring Lord Quill to stay out of concern for me, please do not worry. I did not enter this engagement to interfere with his work as a knight.”

An unexpected ally.

Lynette looked around the table, finally turning her gaze toward Quill.

“Lord Quill, please feel free to return to your barracks tonight. I apologize for taking up so much of your time.”

It made him feel…

Terrible. Like he was doing something cruel.

Adele’s cold stare condemned him. Making your fiancée worry like that… Brother, you’re no gentleman at all. He could practically hear the words.

“Tomorrow morning will be fine. Really.”

His voice was small, the sound of total defeat. It was barely loud enough to reach Lynette, but she caught it. She whispered an apology in return, which only made Quill feel even smaller.

Lars stepped in to break the awkward silence.

“If we don’t do this, my brother will never come near the manor. The truth is, we’re just using Lady Lynette as an excuse.”

Lynette pressed a hand to her mouth in surprise, then gave a bright smile.

“I am simply glad to be of use.”

With that single sentence, a peaceful atmosphere returned to the dining hall, and the dessert arrived right on cue.

Quill forced down the strawberry torte Adele had helped with, praising it while his stomach felt like it was being wrung in a vise. He endured until the dinner party which felt like an eternity finally came to an end.