Kaian studied the unfamiliar man before him with obvious interest.
"I would like to offer my formal greetings to the Duchess of Temnes, hostess of Rowen Castle," the man said respectfully. "My name is Rohan, Lord of the Hindenburg."
"It's an honor to meet you," Claudel replied with genuine warmth.
"You're the one who wrote Hindenburg's Continental Exploration!" she exclaimed with sudden excitement.
"I am. Have you read it?"
"Read it? I brought every copy with me from Valmonde! They're my most precious treasures."
Kaian's expression hardened. *More precious than the jewels I gave her?*
"I never imagined one of my supporters was such a beautiful lady," Rohan said smoothly.
Claudel's face flushed deeper.
Two wrinkles formed between Kaian's eyebrows.
"You're even more impressive in person than I imagined," Claudel continued, seemingly oblivious to Kaian's darkening mood. "I pictured you as an older man with a bushy beard."
In truth, Rohan cut an impressive figure. Freshly shaved and groomed, his wheat-colored hair was neatly trimmed. His dark eyes held intelligence, and he wore a sharp white collar and well-tailored suit that suggested aristocratic breeding.
"This is quite a transformation," Kaian observed curtly. "Dressed up for the occasion?"
Rohan scratched his head awkwardly. "I thought it best to look presentable when meeting the famous Duchess of Vermont."
To Kaian, it sounded like: *I dressed up to impress your wife.*
"You look like a peacock preening in formal dress," Kaian muttered.
"Pardon?" Rohan clearly didn't understand the insult.
Hannah entered carrying an armload of books. Rohan immediately moved to help her.
"I'm strong enough to manage," Hannah protested, but Rohan gently took the stack from her arms.
As he set the books on the table, his eyes widened. "This is the first edition."
The first edition of Hindenburg's Continental Exploration had a rare blue cover, dyed with expensive pigment from the Sol Continent. Subsequent printings used common yellowish-brown.
"This is one of my favorites," Claudel explained, opening it carefully. "See how the pages have worn here? It's the story about being swept away at the waterfall."
"Beautiful," Rohan breathed. "I couldn't find another first edition of the most recent volume."
Claudel's expression grew wistful. "When I left Valmonde, I... I didn't have time to gather everything. I couldn't find that one book. I've even written in my will that this copy should go to Hannah."
"I'll give you mine," Rohan said simply.
Claudel gasped, jumping from her seat. "Really? Hannah, is this a dream?"
Kaian's jaw tightened. Without a word, he called to the butler.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Is dinner prepared?"
"Entirely, my Lord. Shall I—"
Kaian stood abruptly, walked to the door, then turned back. He took Claudel's hand and wrapped it around his arm, pulling her close.
"Come."
Claudel glanced back at Rohan and the books on the table, clearly torn.
"The autograph can wait," Kaian said firmly. "Dinner first. You're still recovering. You must be careful."
"But—"
"After dinner, you'll rest. There won't be time for anything else."
The butler and Hannah exchanged knowing glances.
As they walked to the dining room, Kaian turned to Hannah with deliberate courtesy.
"Join us for dinner."
Hannah's eyes widened. "Me, my Lord?"
"Your performance at the festival was excellent. Rohan is also not of noble birth, and I don't treat capable people poorly. Please dine with us."
It was an extraordinary honor. Hannah nodded, trembling slightly with gratitude.
When Rohan offered his arm to escort her, she took it cautiously, quite unlike her usual bold manner.
---
Kaian led Claudel ahead, trying to ignore the pleasant warmth in his chest.
As they entered the dining room, Claudel suddenly reached up to touch his face.
"Kaian."
"What?"
"You're incredibly handsome when you're protective like this."
He felt his face warm. Though he'd meant to monopolize her attention, he hadn't expected her to appreciate the effort.
"Hannah and I were very close when I was young," Claudel continued softly. "She's always been my friend. Thank you for treating her with such respect."
She released his arm and took his hand instead, bringing it to her lips and kissing the signet ring.
"Thank you, Kaian."
He was momentarily flustered but quickly regained composure, pleased that he'd successfully diverted her attention from Rohan.
"How did you meet Rohan?" he asked as they sat. "Why would you invest in an explorer with no track record?"
"He came to me while I was marching west from the Plain of Courvain. He appeared on the battlefield with his proposals and his conviction."
"On the battlefield?" Claudel looked impressed. "How brave."
Behind them, Hannah and Rohan exchanged subtle glances—two people discovering unexpected connection. Neither Kaian nor Claudel noticed they were facilitating a romance.
---
Dinner proceeded pleasantly until the butler entered, visibly nervous.
"My Lord, a telegram from the royal castle."
He presented an envelope bearing a golden seal.
Claudel's eyes widened. She'd heard such seals represented the King himself, but had never actually seen one.
Kaian opened the envelope with practiced efficiency and read the contents. His frown appeared immediately.
*What's wrong?* Claudel wondered anxiously.
Sensing her concern, Kaian's expression relaxed. "It's nothing serious. Just tedious."
"What is it?"
"The King requests my presence at his birthday celebration. They want us both at the royal castle."
"The King's birthday?" Claudel felt a flutter of excitement. "We have to go?"
"Of course. Why else would His Majesty summon us? Temnes and Vermont united—married by royal decree. We should thank the King personally, especially on his birthday."
Kaian sounded annoyed, but Claudel suddenly felt animated.
"Yes! I want to go to the capital!"
"Yes?"
"I've only seen it once, briefly. I want to travel. I've never traveled before!"
Kaian studied her with amusement. "Normally, noble ladies don't wander before settling into their positions."
"This is my first time asking you for anything like this."
"We can go slowly," he conceded. "Take breaks at various places. The journey will take about a month total."
"Really?" Her genuine joy warmed him.
As the evening progressed, Rohan observed the couple with wonder. "The two of them..."
Hannah, understanding perfectly, smiled. "Newlyweds."
"Ah, of course," Rohan laughed softly. "I was foolish not to see it."
---
As dinner concluded, Claudel walked with the butler's escort toward her chambers. A sudden thought struck her.
"Butler, when is the Lord's birthday?"
The butler nodded calmly. "Of course I know, my Lady."
"When? I didn't even realize my husband had a birthday until now."
"The day after tomorrow, my Lady."
---