I Will Be the Greatest Knight-Chapter 478: Her Burdens

"I’m sorry," Irene uttered, knowing there was no excuse. "I didn’t want to burden you."

She felt ashamed because Henry had made himself more than worthy of being her confidant, yet she couldn’t bring herself to burden him. It was so much nicer to see him smile than to see him worried.

"Have I ever seemed too busy to listen to the worries of the woman I love?" he wondered. "Not that you’ve ever burdened me with too much of anything."

"No, Henry—"

"I’m not upset," he assured her. "I’m genuinely asking. Because I want you to know that I’m never too busy for something like this. I want you to feel like you can go to me for anything because that’s the way I feel about you. Each time I held you or leaned onto you for support while I healed made me realize I could trust you with myself. That is what I want to be for you as well."

"I understand..." Irene trailed off, her gaze falling from her Commander, unable to face the disappointment laced in his words or present in his expression.

However, she felt his bare hand on her chin as he forced her to keep looking at him.

"Please rely on me," he requested. "Don’t hold something back that’s hurting you. We can get through things together by being there for each other."

His words struck her heart. He truly wasn’t mad at her and she was so relieved.

"I’ll tell you everything from now on," she promised. "My parents still want you to eat dinner with them."

He still cradled her face in his hands as he said, "Then let’s eat dinner with your parents. Even if the thought scares me to death."

Irene’s smile was small and carried a tinge of sadness, but she still smiled.

"They already like you," she assured him. "Perhaps even too much."

Henry stood up and offered his hand.

"I hope to live up to their expectations," he responded. "Shall we?"

She allowed him to help her up. It wasn’t as if there was anyone around to judge her for leaning into him so much. He was the one person outside of her father who was allowed to and insisted on treating her a certain way even if it was only behind closed doors that he could.

She also wouldn’t mind it that much if the township knew that he was interested in her. Not only that, but the entire duchy could use to know such a thing.

After having to spend an entire month watching others fawn over him, it felt more necessary than ever despite how much she knew it would complicate both of their lives. Tonight likely did mark the beginning of more people finding out.

Who in their right mind would hug their commander so openly in a dining hall so full of people?

They both climbed onto their horses after Henry retrieved his from the inn’s stables and they were on their way, riding side by side.

When they got to the end of town, Irene pointed and directed, "This way."

The pair then made it over the small bridge that marked the Litharion’s private lands and the large house she grew up in came closer and closer into view.

There was a time in Henry’s life he would have felt a bit intimidated that he and Irene came from such different backgrounds, but fortunately now he had a bit more in his repertoire. Not only was he a duke, but he had this beautiful woman at his side who undoubtedly chose him time and time again.

Once in front of the house, the two tied their horses to one of the posts outside, giving them enough slack to wander around and eat any grass that had grown up through the summer.

To Irene’s surprise, Henry grabbed her hand.

"How do I look?" he asked. "Will they believe someone as good as you is settling for someone like me?"

He was half joking, but another part of him liked hearing about what Irene thought of his appearance.

In response, she placed a hand on her chin and looked over him from head to toe. She didn’t show it at first, but he could always make her heart pick up speed.

Soon enough, Irene seemed flustered as she turned her head away from him and acted as if she was going to walk in by herself. That was enough for Henry. His heart soared at he silent approval. He wanted her to elaborate, but he knew the timing was inappropriate.

"Since my brother only likes fighting, my dad already wishes he had a son like you," she explained, hardly touching the true thoughts she was having.

"If I play my cards right, he just might," Henry responded with a smirk.

It was him who then walked off first while Irene was left in the dust, her mouth hanging open in disbelief before she heard Henry say, "My lady," and she knew she couldn’t allow him to enter her family home alone.

There was no need to knock as Henry opened the door for Irene and they both walked in together.

Immediately, they were met with the delicious scent of fresh food. Henry had only drank ale at the inn and he was starving.

His dark eyes landed on Irene’s mother and he decided to choose peace as he acknowledged her appropriately.

"Lady Rochelle, I’ve met you before, but it’s wonderful to be able to get to know you better," Henry greeted.

After witnessing Irene getting slapped at the Winter Solstice banquet for acting too ’boyish’ when she escaped the party, Henry’s opinion of Lady Litharion had been tainted. Whenever Irene was with her mother, he often worried, hoping the woman wasn’t subjecting Irene to anything that might change the light she offered others in her life. He knew how much a parent’s opinion could matter.

Irene, on the other hand, was in an entirely different chain of thought as she observed her mother subtly sizing up the Duke—not outwardly of course because it wouldn’t be becoming of a proper noble lady. All she could imagine was her mother checking off the mental list of what she deemed to be a good son in law.

"Your Grace, I couldn’t agree more," Rochelle responded. "Please forgive Arthur for not greeting you first. I’m sure Irene has explained to you the situation."

"No need to be so formal with me. I don’t want to be here as a duke. But I would like to see Lord Arthur if he’s awake."

However, the former knight had the perfect timing as he made his way down the stairs.