"Lady Aglais, it is time to get you situated with new habits, ideals, people ."
I paused from my work and looked at Sirix annoyingly. "Really Sirix? Is this the time for one of your lectures? I was just in the middle of finishing my work." I did have to admit though, I was getting thoroughly bored with my studies; so anything in the midst of my studies was an opportunity of freedom for me.
"This time is but of the essence! What better way to start the new year?"
"But I don't see how this has anything to do with the curricula Plato handed to me earlier this morning."
"No time to waste , M'lady. There are many things to be done."
"If you say so..."
"Alright then. The selection of bodyguards are awaiting in the common room."
"Did you happen to have this planned all along?"
"M'lady! I would not do such a thing!" Who knew what hid behind that solemn stare of his.
Another one of his antics. I covered an escaped chuckle with the back of my palm as I rose from the table. The Latin vocabulary studies would have to resume later.
Quickly changing my persona, I fixated into a more stern look. In this society, hardly any woman could be taken seriously. It was best that I hide my emotions or I would surely get taken advantage of.
Once crossing the outdoor foyer, I entered the spacious common room. A group of clad armored men were upright and in line formation. Lean, mean, fighting machines. All at my dispense. I could sense their eyes taking in the sight of me. I could admit that I had some looks, but these men had no way of keeping back their thoughts. A few whistles and I mentally rolled my eyes, ready to shoot the culprit.
Walking slowly down the line, I eyed each soldier carefully. All of them had averted their eyes away from me as a sign of respect.
Except for one.
At first, he reciprocated all the other soldiers' actions. But then, his eyes shifted towards me when it was his turn to be inspected. That surprised me a bit. Not simply because of his unexpected glance, but the hues of his eyes. One illuminated a dark blue that sent chills down my back. The other a light grey tone that mellowed out the feeling from the blue iris.
What kind of man is this person?
I gave him a quick scoff and walked back to the entrance of the common room.
A small chuckle was audibly heard behind me.
I gripped my fists discreetly and imagined his head being crushed in my hold. It was certainly not worth retaliating back at his ridicule.
Standing next to Sirix, my humble servant, I stated to him, "They all seem very formidable. You may choose whoever and I will concur with your decision." I shot another glance at the illegitimate man. He answered with a quick wink.
The nerve of him!
Sirix could sense my composure was falling, so he rushed me out of the common room before I attempted anything rash. With the common room out of sight, I sighed and leaned against a nearby wall. The mocker of that man still remained ingrained in my head.
I picked up one of my sandals and threw it across the courtyard in frustration. Relieved that it narrowly missed one of the clay jars that were being dried. After I settled down, I reminded myself that at least I probably won't ever see him again.