6 Royal Duties

Cassian's POV

Samuel walked into the drawing room before dawn. Cassian was still awake so he quietly sneaked out before Isabelle woke up. He hated that he was called to deal with yet another thing but he had a duty to fulfil. He barely returned from years of battles, and he had yet to pick up on a lot of issues that fell behind during his absence. He couldn't wait to sit with Isabelle properly and talk to her for hours again, just like they used to years ago.

"She'll be fine when you come back," Samuel said with a smile. "And she isn't going anywhere. She's kind of your wife now."

"I know. It's surreal." Cassian answered.

"Well, that might be surreal, but the border patrol is still on high alert and we had another person caught."

They both mounted the horses and rushed towards the border.

Hours passed as Cassian interrogated the person caught and interviewed the guards. He found that one of the guards fell asleep during the patrol so he decided to have them go back to the castle. Discipline was important and ensuring the training was adequate was just as crucial. Each guard found failing at their job was to be re-trained and re-assessed.

As he entered the castle, he still swore at the guard. He knew he shouldn't have, but he was irritated. Another day filled with work and another day of being away from home which he yearned for so much.

As he entered the hallway, he noticed Isabelle. His heart skipped a beat in excitement, but then it stopped in horror. She dropped to her knees, bowing and apologising.

Cassian didn't quite know why. He didn't know why she trembled in terror in front of him. Did she not recognise him? Did she think him hideous? Did she hate him?

He clenched his fist and brought it to his lips, unsure what he should say or do. He was taken aback by the woman he loved being so petrified of him that he couldn't compose himself fully. He walked away, heartbroken, with Samuel, Kingsley, and the guard that was brought back with them.

"Matilda, please take care of Isabelle and then please come to my study." He instructed her as he found her around the corner.

The guard was sent with Kingsley to the training grounds which had knights' quarters nearby, and Cassian found his way to his study, followed closely by his royal advisor and dear friend - Samuel.

"Well… I guess I didn't quite expect that." Samuel said as he watched Cassian sit down behind his large desk. Cassian rubbed his face as if it were to rub off his tiredness and his upset.

"Speak your mind, Samuel." Cassian leaned on his desk, his head hung low.

"Your wife didn't quite react to the sight of you in the way I expected." Samuel sat down on the other side of the desk and leaned back casually, putting his feet up on the desk.

"First of all, we're not in the battlefield and swamps, behave," Cassian growled. Samuel took his feet off the desk with a wide grin. "Secondly, I am rather aware."

"She trembled like a leaf in the wind." Samuel gesticulated vividly as if he tried to show the flow of the wind.

"Am I that hideous?" Cassian asked as he finally looked up at his friend.

"In my opinion, yes. I've seen you covered in horseshit before and that's an image that hasn't yet left me."

"I don't think she recognised me," Cassian said honestly.

"Maybe. Or your memories were over-glorified."

"They weren't," Cassian said sharply.

"Take it slow. Work out what caused her upset. Resolve it." Samuel said with more thought. "You're married now. Your job is to fix the problems, not abandon them."

A knock sounded on the door.

"Come in," Cassian ordered and Matilda walked in with a respectful bow. "Please, tell me how Isabelle was today."

"She seemed…" Matilda hesitated.

"Go on. What did she do today?"

"Well…" Matilda blushed.

"Matilda, don't make me wait forever."

"Your highness, do you remember how you've ordered me to ensure that the lady does as she pleases without question?"

"Yes. Those are my orders."

"Please take that into consideration." Matilda reminded him. "Her highness insisted on spending her day with the servants. She ate her meals in our quarters." Cassian and Samuel raised their brows. "She was very keen on the company of our youngest maid, Jane. So keen that she insisted on washing the bedsheets with her so they could tour the castle together. She spend a lot of time in the Great Hall and she seemed to like it very much. And then you know. She just left the great hall when you came across her. And now she's gone to ready herself for bed."

"Let me get this straight, Isabelle insisted on eating with the servants and doing chores?" Cassian asked.

"Indeed, your highness." Cassian pursed his lips. "She did insist to be called Adeline too, and she's taken a lot of care in learning our names."

"Adeline?" Samuel asked as he turned to face Cassian.

"That's interesting." Cassian leaned back in his seat.

"Did you marry the wrong girl?" Samuel asked again.

"No, it is Isabelle. I have no doubt. Adeline is the daughter of King Edgar and Queen Beatrice. She shares the same father as Isabelle, but Isabelle's mother was the first Queen."

"First Queen? I didn't realise that Galbore had a Queen before Beatrice."

"Not many know. Her history was erased."

"Why?"

"It's a mystery." Cassian thought intently. "I suspect that she was made to lie to make me believe her to be her sister. If she insists to be called Adeline, let it be. Maybe that'll make her a little less anxious."

"Your highness, I've noticed…" Matilda hesitated again.

"Yes?"

"Her highness is very nervous, quiet, and withdrawn. I understand that it must be very scary to move so far away from home, but I'm struggling to make her understand that she is free to do as she wishes. I had to encourage her to go anywhere within the castle. She keeps asking what she's allowed to do and doesn't seem to understand her liberties."

"It might be the nervousness of a new place. Give it some time." Cassian ordered. "Any other concerns?"

"She's not eating very well. And…" Matilda looked down. "I've noticed marks on her arms as she was washing the bedsheets with us. No scars. But they were fresh cuts and bruises from the last few days."

Cassian let out a groan. His worry was only getting worse.

"Do you know what caused her upset when she saw me?"

"I'm afraid not. She didn't utter a word before she dismissed me for a night."

"He thinks that it's because he's hideous," Samuel told Matilda who looked at them in disbelief.

"Surely not. She must've just been startled."

"Why was she apologising to me?" Cassian pondered.

"She apologised many times to me too, your highness. Most ridiculously, for sleeping in yesterday after her long, and rather horrid, journey."

"I am putting a suggestion out there," Samuel spoke to Cassian at last. "A thought, perhaps."

"Yes?" Cassian raised his brows in anticipation.

"Considering the fact that you know of her being harmed by the Queen of Galbore, is it possible that she was mistreated in her home?"

"It is a possibility." Cassian nodded. "Her grandfather took care of her for years, until his death. God knows who took care of her then. If anyone."

"Once her highness settles in, would it be wise to get her tutors and some help to accustom her to the royal life, here in Ariadna?" Matilda suggested.

"Quite possibly." Cassian nodded in agreement. "For now, please try to make her as comfortable as you can."

"Of course, your highness."

"And if there's anyone she particularly likes, try to get them close to her."

"Yes, I'll ensure of that."

"Thank you, Matilda."

As Matilda left the room, Samuel looked at Cassian with worry written on his face.

"Cassian, are you alright?"

"I am bothered about Isabelle's state. And frankly, I am also troubled by her reaction to me. That was one outcome of our reunion that I haven't anticipated."

"Oh well, as much as it hurt your ego, I'm sure it was a misunderstanding."

"I do hope so. I do not like the perspective of being married to someone who is terrified at the mere sight of me." Cassian sneered in a sort of self-deprecating way.

He send Samuel away and made his way to the royal quarters. He hesitated by her door but decided not to disturb her. If it was indeed that the new place made her anxious, he didn't want to make her feel even more on edge.

He promised himself that he'll give her more attention in the following days, as long as nothing urgent were to prop up again.