Compared to what she was used to from the knighthood, a day of overseeing apprentice practice and perusing through the Duke’s Tower as she got reacquainted with where the others were at in their rotating schedules was easy. It felt like the best way she could reacclimate to her life there.

As the day grew long, Irene excused herself from the others and shut herself away in the room she would share with her husband that night.

The red-haired knight browsed through armoires of her things, organized more neatly than they ever had before in her life. Even her mother had never folded things so crisply and arranged items like that. When Irene was a girl, she was eventually expected to fold and organize her own things—so naturally they fell by the wayside because she wasn’t going to spend time on something such as that.

It felt so foreign to openly be living alongside Henry now. She had gotten used to being in the barracks at the Duke’s Tower. Despite how small they were, she found them comfortable and always made the rooms she had her own so she wasn’t lacking the things she liked.

Then the previous winter Irene was spoiled all season when Henry offered her a place in a guest room down the hall from him, and that’s where her things had been since then. By that point, they were practically sleeping next to one another each night anyway. It sort of happened spontaneously like that. Their late-night kissing and conversations would lead to her falling asleep until it became their routine.

Those late nights, she would assure him that she would leave, but then it was him who would cover her with blankets and make her warm enough that she did not move all the way until the following morning.

Irene sighed as she thought of those times.

It truly was a wonder they never crossed a certain boundary before their wedding night. Now that she knew how passionate Henry could be, she truly needed to figure out a way to get back to that. It was as if he was walking on eggshells around her, but she hoped that he didn’t think her weak for the recent events in her life. She had been weak, but now she was feeling strong and ready to conquer whatever came next.

With her new resolve, her hand stopped at a pretty light purple tunic with silver beading along the neckline. It was something she always pushed to the back of her armoire since she didn’t feel the need to wear pretty things, but that night felt different. It was a celebration of her father’s life as much as it was a celebration of their marriage. She needed to present herself as someone who was capable despite the adversity. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

So, a pretty tunic it was.

After telling the maids she didn’t need help in preparing herself for the evening, the knight was left alone after hot water was brought and a bath was ready for her to step into.

She lowered herself in after taking off her travel clothing. It felt nice to warm up her body and scrub herself from head to toe with sweet-smelling soap that was sure to catch the nose of whoever was close enough. After getting rinsed off, dried, and dressed, she then brushed her naturally wavy hair and put lilac oil in it so it would remain tamed.

She also tied a braid into the side of it to ensure it stayed out of her face. Even on a night that showed signs of the weather truly cooling off, a room full of knights was always so warm.

It felt sneaky to leave before Henry could even think about getting ready, but she wanted to get ahead of the night and settle herself before she saw him.

As Irene walked down the long halls and into the spiral staircase that led to the lower level and to the hall next to the dining hall, she contemplated the evening for a bit longer.

One drink. That was all she would have. Considering who Henry was, he wouldn’t be too happy if she wasn’t sober the next time the two of them joined as husband and wife. He even showed this on the night of their wedding when he suggested they slow down on the drinking.

Honorable. Yes? Frustrating? Also yes.

As she opened the door and went to the place she usually occupied, she was surprised to see a drink already on the table. It was surely going to be a test of mental strength to tell the other knights that she wasn’t in a drinking mood that night.

"Welcome the Duchess!" Felix raised his mug jokingly.

Irene’s eyes widened as she glanced around the room. Luckily, everyone hadn’t gathered yet, and most weren’t paying attention after giving her quick greetings and resuming their conversations or other duties.

"Enough," Irene requested. "I won’t even get close until His Majesty approves of Henry’s decision in wife."

"Your life is so complicated," Felix commented. "Better drink up."

Irene nodded and sat down heavily. She paced herself as she sipped the ale. It was surely good, but she was determined not to bend to the others’ will.

"I don’t believe I’ve been able to offer proper congratulations," Sven added as he entered the room. "Congratulations to you and the Commander. I know the duchy will thrive under the two of you."

"Thank you, Sven," Irene responded warmly, but when she caught a glimpse of Felix raising his eyebrows at her, she shot him a glare. "Pay no mind to Felix."

There was a pat on her shoulder as Gunnar arrived and took his own place a bit further down the table. She was grateful for his more silent and subtle approach in supporting her. She smiled at him when their eyes met.

Irene drank more. There was only about an inch of liquid left in her cup, and she realized she should have paced herself more.

Phillip was the next to arrive, and he saw Irene’s cup nearly empty. He raised his hand to a maid and pointed to her.

"No, thank you!" Irene insisted. "I think I’m nearly done drinking for the evening."

Phillip’s eyebrows raised at that. Normally Irene wouldn’t stop until she was one of the last standing.

But that night was about their betrothal, and he wanted her to loosen up before things got too serious. He sat down close to Felix, who was directly across from Irene.

The older knight couldn’t help joking around as he said, "What are you, pregnant?! When my sister was pregnant with my nephew, she lost her taste for ale."

There were a few laughs from others, but Irene could only shake her head as her face felt hot.

To her surprise, a voice from the doorway cast silence over the room.

"Would you ask Duchess Sadiv if she was expecting just because she turned down a drink from you?" Henry asked.