Loud Silence

Dinner went smoothly for being a quiet affair. Sophia found the company of Prince Henri still more uneasy for her than two strangers. And perhaps because they were not like the other nobles that she had met they didn’t give off the same sort of presence. They lacked the hungry energy that just watched her. At the banquet each noble she spoke with carefully looked at what she did and said, always measuring her. Like each action needed to be judged. Even professors weren’t so strict on their grading.

A friendly, calm dinner was wonderful to have finally. Even if it was quiet without a single word said. But when she ate with the Prince if she didn’t want to risk insulting him she stayed quiet as well. So silence wasn’t anything she was unaccustomed to.

Under the watchful eyes of the mansion servants, they returned to the guest rooms. Unlike with the castle, there was a shared common room that split to each side into adjoining rooms. It had apparently been built with entertaining foreign and noble guests that had a large group.

Sophia walked slowly to the back of the room and the balcony that looked out into the forest. She didn’t push on the doors, staying just at the glass. Holding the curtains back a little, she could see lights in the distance. The one major city of the Duchy lay to the south surrounded by the large fortress walls that protected the mansion and city. Even within the walls it still felt exposed. “This is nothing like the Capital.”

She heard the Prince’s door open and caught a glimpse that he was already going to sleep. He seemed to stay awake late in the castle from what Noan told her. “Yes, it’s even more dangerous. Be careful.”

The battle tomorrow wasn’t something that she looked forward to. She just hoped that what Mister Jolsi taught her would be enough. Escape wasn’t an option. “I’ll stick to Mister Tolen and Noan’s sides during the fighting tomorrow.”

“I wasn’t talking about the monsters.”

“The Duke and his wife seemed quite calm and pleasant, if a bit quiet. They’re protecting everyone here.”

Prince Henri walked over to the table by the couch picking up a book. “You’re too trusting. Their pleasant demeanor is merely a facade. Duke Balirst was watching the entire time.”

“I am the Saint, maybe he’s just trying to see if I’m worthy or something. He is a military man.”

“Possibly, but he has held the north for twenty years since the last Saint without question. And now he asks for aid. He’s been resolute in holding the line.”

“Maybe it is just that bad now?”

“Reports have confirmed a rise in the number of monsters.”

“Then maybe you’re just worrying over nothing. Not everything is a plot.”

“It is always a plot. Always.” There was far more weight in his words that Sophia was used to receiving. It made her step back. ‘Strange. He’s so cold most times, but I swear he almost seemed mad. Did I say something wrong again? What did I say? I try to mind my words. But then I insult him and I’m going to get executed. But it never happens. Nothing’s a normal conversation with him. The joy he seems to have is being mean.’ She stared quietly at the Prince, not masking her confusion well. ‘What’s wrong?’

The question of what he meant hovered over her head. She wanted to ask, but felt a constant rejection from every part of him. His stance somehow just breathed a wall around him. He wanted nothing to approach. He wanted to be alone.

The door to his room closed behind him with a loud silence.