Bound by Honor, Torn by Desire

"Lord Adrian," Ser Turold's deep voice politely interjected as he approached, walking with a sense of purpose. The knight was as regal and refined in his best armor and tunic for the banquet as he had been when Aleksasha saw him earlier outside the estate. Only the goblet in his right hand indicated he was officially off duty. There was an intensity in his gray eyes that she didn't recognize. "Perhaps, you have had too much to drink and have forgotten your etiquette?" His voice a firm correction as he frown his disapproval at how close Adrian was standing to Aleksasha.

"Ser Turold," Adrian greeted in a light tone edged with subtle irritation. He took a step back."I was merely complimenting Duchess Aleksasha on her remarkable work with the Volkov estate and the banquet."

Turold inclined his head slightly in a polite bow, his gaze flicking to Aleksasha as he put himself between her and Adrian, giving her more personal space from the noble. "Indeed, her grace's ingenuity and dedication are worthy of praise. However, I must ensure that while she is tending to the needs of her guests, that she is also being taken care of. It's been a long evening." He spoke to Adrian but looked at Aleksasha. "Your grace, can I assist you with anything?"

Aleksasha politely smiled, inwardly sighing with relief at Adrian's intervention. It would've been unseemly if she had to correct Adrian for pushing boundaries. "Thank you, Ser Turold. I want to follow up with you on what we discussed earlier. Please excuse us, Lord Adrian." She curtsied to Adrian. 

Adrian chuckled softly, his gaze lingered on the gorgeous woman before him. "It seems the duchess is well protected with such tentative guardians. A fortunate position to be in, though I suspect she doesn't require any protection at all."

Turold stared at Adrian stoically. "The safety of the Volkov household is always my priority."

"A noble sentiment, Ser Turold. But I suspect Lady Aleksasha is more than capable of handling herself." Adrian bowed slightly to Aleksasha, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Turold but offered her a charming smile. "I do hope I might steal another moment with you later, your grace. If only to get better acquainted with the woman behind the war hero." He walked away from them, leaving Aleksasha and Turold to speak without his interference. 

Turold stepped closer and offered Aleksasha his arm. She took his arm and walked him to the balcony to speak privately. A cool breeze brushed against her bare shoulders and left her feeling refreshed from the stuffy heat of the banquet and the press of the crowd. The joyful celebrations were muffled by the glass of the balcony door. 

The guard captain stopped and appraised his mistress. His expression serious despite the fondness in his eyes. He spoke in a low murmur. "Your grace, I know you must be attentive to your guests. But I must caution you against entertaining too much of Lord Adrian's company. I don't know how much you've heard about his reputation. He is… quite persistent."

Aleksasha tilted her head as she looked up at the tall knight. She met his gaze and considered the seriousness of his tone. "You dislike the man?"

"I do not trust him," Turold bluntly replied. "And I trust a philandering womanizer like him even less near you."

"That's a very bold descriptor." She frowned, her brow furrowed as she tried to recall what rumors there were about Adrian. "What have you heard of him, Ser Turold?"

Turold hesitated for a moment, his jaw tightened as he looked away from Aleksasha for a moment, fixing his gaze on the fountain in the garden below. "I have no proof, your grace. Such stories are not proper to be shared to a proper lady like yourself." His eyes flicked back to her as he met hers again. His voice filled with concern and sincerity. "Just know, that he seeks more than pleasant conversation. The Duke would not take kindly to his intentions towards you."

Aleksasha sighed softly, lightly touching her hand to her cheek. She glanced through the glass doors and spotted Matias, deep in conversation with a blond haired noble, Lord Edwin. "I doubt Duke Volkov has more pressing matter to attend tonight than whom is talking to me."

Turold frowned at the comment but did not correct her. "Your grace, please, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Your needs are more important than any guest here tonight. I.. We all serve you as well as the duke."

Aleksasha offered him a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you for your reassurance and warning, Ser Turold." 

He bowed and offered her a soft smile in return. "I will keep an eye out for you, your grace. If you need anything, just beckon me over and I will handle it." 

"Thank you." Aleksasha replied as Turold headed back into the banquet first, holding the door open for her to return to the party. She took one last look at the clear night sky with its multitude of stars and made a soft wish. 

Please let me find the truth I seek.

A star streaked across the heavens, leaving a silvery trail in its wake. She smiled at the sight and stepped into the great hall into the crowd of well dressed guests. The silence of the balcony was broken by the joyous music of the musicians and chatter of a hundred conversations at once. It was a sea of silk, brocade, and velvet with the occasion shine of metal, some knights like Turold wore their armor.

High pitched feminine laughter caught her attention and she was shocked to find that Selene, in the middle of a gaggle of soldiers instead of among the other noble women. 

This isn't right. She should be trying to integrate with the ladies of the court and nobility as the daughter of a fallen house. She needs to be making allies among her peers here. Not… whatever this is.

Aleksasha frowned and made her way over to Selene, smiling prettily at the raven haired beauty. 

"Your grace! It's so nice of you to join us. I was just sharing with them a story about my father's exploits," Selene charmingly replied, curtsying prettily to Aleksasha. The soldiers straightened, and bowed politely to their lady, shifting almost uncomfortably to her sudden appearance. "May his soul rest easily knowing that I am so well looked after." 

Aleksasha smoothed a wrinkle in her dress, nodding her head in greeting. "His sacrifice will be well remembered and his life joyously celebrated tonight." She pursed her lips together and smiled apologetically to Selene. "But I feel I have done you a disservice as your hostess. If you'd like, I will help you make introductions with the other ladies so you can find friends among your peers." 

Selene looked from the men to Aleksasha with some controlled exasperation in her eyes. She venomously smiled at the implication. "Thank you for your kind offer, your grace. But I assure you, I am endeavoring to make my rounds through the banquet to meet all the lovely people as well. You don't need to worry about me," her voice was sweetly polite as she fixed her gaze on the duchess. "But while you are here. I must ask you. Can you regale us with your father's noble deeds? Surely, as the duchess Volkov, your own noble family has a rich history."

The soldiers awkwardly coughed. Several shook their heads trying to discourage Selene from continuing the question. A younger knight with dark brown hair raised his hand to get Selene's attention. "Lady Selene, would you grant me the honor of dancing with you? This is a lovely song and I would love to see how well you dance." 

It was a direct attack against Aleksasha. The guests around them stopped their conversations and looked on to see how the duchess would answer this sensitive subject. 

Of course she would know about who my father is. 

Aleksasha thought bitterly. 

It's not a grand secret, just incredibly rude to bring up tonight, of all nights. 

Selene watched her like a cat cornering a mouse. Aleksasha straightened and smiled sweetly at the woman. She felt the eyes on her and tried to ignore them, picking her words carefully. "It seems, your presence is requested for one of many dances, Lady Selene. I wouldn't want to dampen your spirits with exploits of someone we aren't celebrating tonight. The best way we can honor the departed is to vehemently embrace life." 

She avoided the topic and gave Selene a polite way to exit the conversation using the opening the knight offered them both for propriety's sake. It was as much for Selene's honor as it was for Aleksasha's.

Selene took the soldier's hand. "In a moment, I would love to get better acquainted with your story, your grace. I'm afraid I am ignorant of the tales of your noble house. Regale me with a tale before I dance," she insisted. "What is there to be afraid of in the telling?"