BK1 Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Six

Callan walked beside me as he took me through the hallways of the auditorium. We passed a few other trainees as they explored the building that contained the lecture halls. Each of them hesitated as we passed them by, Callan’s expression a dower frustration.

“Why do you want to see Lord Hudson all of a sudden?” Callan asked as we rounded a corner. The hallway’s constriction faded into a large open courtyard. Pillars of stone edged our walkway, separating it from the small square garden beside it. I gazed at the circular water fountain at the centre of the garden, eerily similar to that fountain. The one I had died beside when Callan had stabbed me.

“It’s a private matter I do not wish to discuss with you” I pressed my lips as Callan glowered at my response.

“So, you really did get cosy with him then”, he sneered, tightening his fists.

“What I did or didn’t do really isn’t your concern”, I sighed as he slowed his pace to allow a group of Summoners to pass us.

“Not my concern? I think, as your brother, I have a right to know if Lord Hudson is going to be my new brother-in-law.”

“Brother-in-law? Now that is presumptuous. I’m an engaged woman Callan.” I rolled my eyes, a little sarcasm leaking in my voice.

“If that’s presumptuous, then what you did is immoral.” Callan stopped at the end of the walkway to face me. The sun peered around the pillars to cast a pattern of shadow on his face as he frowned with a look of irritation. “I get why you did it, to cancel your engagement with that twit. But your relationship with Lord Hudson is going to make others question your intentions.”

“My intentions?” I raised an eyebrow folding my arms. “Callan, I don’t see what my intentions have to do with you, or anyone else for that matter.” was he really suddenly deciding to care about my life? I know he had said he wanted to be a better brother to me. But still, this was strange.

I saw his eyebrow twitch as Callan took a deep breath. “Lynette, I swear you are dense sometimes,” he spoke a little strained. “Everyone knows you sullied yourself in the Tavern that day, but it’s not common knowledge who it was with. If you keep clinging to Lord Hudson, they will figure it out, and that will put him in a bad position as well as you. It will create exceptions for both of you. If you really don’t intend to marry Lord Hudson, then stop going to him for ‘private’ discussions.”

“You almost sound jealous”, I smirked at him. Of course, I knew that, but Nate was the only person I had any semblance of trust towards. I had to ask someone about my plan before I was summoned by the generals for the revocation of my blood contract. If Eduard had handed in Rogers’s letter this morning, then I didn’t have much time. Searching the library for legal books was out of the question; my only option was to ask someone. I couldn’t discuss it with Callan as he would likely try to stop me.

Nathaniel was my only option.

“Take this seriously, Lynette”, Callan bit back as his voice raised at my comment. “Lord Hudson is the heir to Marquess Hudson. We can’t involve him in our affairs; his father won’t stand for any blemish on their reputation you may bring them. It’s better for you and Lord Hudson that you stay away from him from now on.”

“I-” I pinched my fingers and cast my gaze away. I hadn’t forgotten Nathaniel was a Marquess Lineage. He had said there would be complications now I was coming to the capital; maybe it was his father. I had no idea what the Marquess was like; maybe this was risky. As a higher rank, his family could easily inflict damage on us. Maybe Callan truly was worried about this; he must know the Marquess’s reputation as he attends the social season every year.

“I will be careful”, I mumbled, stepping forward to pass Callan and the pillared walkway. I could see the hallways recomposing from this small open courtyard ahead of us.

“Lynette, did you hear what I said!?” Callan exclaimed, following me, his voice raised with disbelief as I continued forward despite his warnings.

“I did, Callan. But I have something I must discuss with Lord Hudson; it can not wait.” I had no choice; I had no one else I trusted. I am sure a conversation with Nathaniel won’t put too much pressure on his social standing with me. However, Callan was probably right. I shouldn’t involve Nathaniel too much in my personal issues; they were mine to deal with. It was only his advice I needed, nothing else.

“Is it really that important?” Callan shuffled beside me as he bit his cheek.

“It is”, I sighed as I realised I had no idea where I was supposed to go now that we were back in the hallways of the auditorium.

“Fine.” Callan scowled. “His office is this way; all of the senior ranked members of the Army have their offices on this side of the building.”

“Thank you, Callan” I truly was thankful. Despite his clear irritation at doing this, he had taken me to Lord Hudson. He didn’t have to do that; he could have walked away and left me to try and find Nathaniel myself, which would have taken up valuable time. I was lucky he was close by, in all honesty; if his office at been on the other side of Alinor Keep, I may not have made it time before I was summoned by the generals.

“Just promise me, you won’t get him involved any further” Callan stopped by a doorway in the middle of the hallway. It was surrounded by other similar-looking doors, but each of them had names carved into the wood in elegant writing.

“I don’t intend to” I smiled with a small nod as I raised my hand to the door and knocked.

Vishka’s Guidance System

Callan Heversham

Likeability: 19% (-2%)

***

I stared up at the honey-blonde shoulder-length hair that opened the door. Striking deep orange eyes looked down at me through glass spectacles as he raised an eyebrow in thought. The orange tone contrasted exceptionally with his light-toned face.

“I – Um”, my mouth spluttered, trying to speak as my eyes drifted from his square jaw to the tips of his hair dyed with the same dark orange as his eyes. His features were incredibly similar to Nathaniel, but this man was not him.

“Who is it, Soren?” Nathaniel’s voice called from behind the man in the doorway.

“No clue. Some woman.” Soren spoke as he leaned his hand on the doorway.

“I-I am Lady Heversham. I wish to speak with Lord Hudson” I shook myself out of my stupor. I felt my cheeks redden as I realised I had been staring. This man was incredibly handsome.

“Lady Heversham?” Soren’s eyes narrowed as though something had dawned on him. “What do you want exactly?” his tone changed from curious to apprehensive.

“Lynette? What a pleasure to see you” Nathaniel’s joyful tone interrupted Soren’s gaze as he bounded from behind and moved Soren aside.

“Lord Hudson”, Callan bowed beside me and discreetly grabbed the material of my cloak to pull me down with him. I quickly followed suit and bowed as expected of a Viscount Lineage to a Marquess. We were no longer on the plains marching; we had to show proper decorum in the capital.

“Oh, Lord Heversham, you are here too…” Nathaniel seemed surprised to see Callan. “What brings you here?”

“I wished to speak with you, Lord Hudson,” I raised from my bow as Nate cocked his head. “Callan was kind enough to show me where I could find you. I apologise for this sudden request. However, I must speak with you as a matter of urgency.”

“I was going to come find you on Earth day, but now is fine” Nathaniel smiled warmly. “I told you to call me Nate, remember” he chuckled as Callan frowned beside me, clearly unhappy with our familiarity.

“Of course, Nate”, I mirrored his smile, feeling tense as both Callan and Soren looked at me displeased.

“Come inside, Lynette. Is Lord Heversham joining us?” he asked, looking at Callan’s stiff figure. Callan opened his mouth to respond, and I could tell from his attitude he would want to join rather than leave me alone with Nate.

“If it is quite alright, may we speak alone, Nate?” I quickly said, causing Callan to shoot a look at me as his box began to blur again.

“Nate, is this appropriate?” Soren mumbled as he pushed the bridge of his glasses closer to his eyes. His action was so graceful for such a simple thing. Wait, was I staring again?

“It’s fine, Soren”, Nate waved his hand nonchalantly. “Lynette and I are well acquainted; besides, a Captain may speak with a trainee alone.” His grin was so wide it reached his ears. If I was not a trainee, speaking alone with Nate right now would probably be inappropriate for a lady.

“Very well”, Soren sighed as he moved to leave the office. “We will continue our conversation at a later date. Lady Heversham, Lord Heversham.” Soren bowed slightly to us both, and we returned the etiquette as he moved to leave. His footsteps echoed on the hard floors as his red Summoner cape fell into place with his steps.

I watched Soren leave, still a little mesmerised by his beauty; I had never seen orange eyes like his before. I wonder if they were normal, was he human or daemon like Lieutenant Cragborn? His hair also had a tinge of the same orange as his eyes, like Daemons features often do.

“I will wait here for your conversation to conclude.” Callan gritted, straightening his posture. “I intend to escort my sister around Alinor Keep today.”

“How very gracious of you”, Nate hummed as I stepped into his office. They were both being civil with one another. However, I could see the strain Callan was making not to raise his voice. There was little he could do to go against a Marquess lineage. No matter how much he did not want me to be alone with Nate, he could not refute it.

“We won’t be long” I smiled at Callan, trying to calm him somewhat; I didn’t want to risk him overhearing my conversation with Nate. I couldn’t let him suspect even a hint of my plan. For that reason, I wasn’t going to object to his statement to escort me. It would only irate him. 

“After you, Lynette”, Nate directed me to a plush leather chair in the centre of the room in front of a black wooden desk as he closed the door on Callan.

Vishka’s Guidance System

Callan Heversham

Likeability: 18% (-1%)