Noah sat alone beneath a broad, shady tree a short distance from the infirmary, away from those who were enjoying their lunch.
Across the open space, Anna sat with Rafe and Ayden, the three of them were deep in conversation. Laughter drifted towards him now and then—light, unguarded, the sort that held no interest for him.
He took a bite of the green apple in his hand, chewing slowly as his sharp gaze lingered on the commander's wife.
It had been several days since he had been assigned as her escort.
In that short time, she had made the infirmary a regular stop. She spoke easily with the healer and his assistant, her eyes lighting up whenever the conversation turned to books or languages. She looked… content. Happy, even.
Anna was uncomplicated.
She asked for nothing excessive, made no unreasonable demands, and displayed no suspicious behaviour.
She was transparent—almost unsettlingly so—as though she had nothing at all to hide.
Besides her fluency in multiple foreign languages, there was little that set her apart. Her beauty was modest by Cassian standards; her features were pleasant but unremarkable, except for her striking eye colour, which was unusual.
And yet—
Noah's ears caught a shift in sound behind him.
He turned just as a familiar figure emerged into view: brunette hair, grey eyes, posture rigid with authority.
"So," the man drawled, a contemptuous smile etched on his lips, "I hear the great Sir Brooks has become the lady's escort."
Noah's expression darkened instantly. "What do you want, Eric?"
"It's Sir Navin," the knight corrected coldly. "We're on duty at the frontier. Mind your manners."
Noah scoffed. "Why should I show respect to someone who doesn't know how to earn it?"
Eric's smile vanished. His eyes narrowed. "Know your place. I am second-in-command under the Knight Commander."
"You don't need to flaunt your rank," Noah shot back. "Did you forget who lost the last duel?"
Eric sneered. "Convenient of you to forget the one before that when you were the one flat on the ground."
"So?" Noah rose to his feet. "Want another match?"
Eric laughed, sharp and mocking. "You were the one challenging everyone back then, desperate to prove you belonged among us."
Noah gritted his teeth. His grip crushed the apple in his hand; it slipped from his fingers and hit the ground with a dull thud.
"If you're done talking," he snarled, "leave."
"Oh, I'm not done." Eric stepped closer, voice rising as he gave a stern warning. "Stay away from the lady. A sinner like you has no business near any woman."
Noah moved forward, eyes scowling. "What did you just say?"
"Or should I call you what you really are?" Eric's eyes gleamed. "A r*pist."
'Thud!'
A punch landed hard.
Eric staggered back a step, shock flashing across his face. Few could match Noah's strength—and fewer still could do it so suddenly.
"You son of a b*tch!" the second-in-command knight roared.
He lunged, fists flying.
Noah met him head-on.
They collided, grappling and striking, crashing to the ground in a brutal tangle of limbs. Blows landed fast as the surrounding camp erupted in shouts.
The commotion drew immediate attention.
Anna, Rafe, and Ayden rushed toward the crowd just as the fight reached its peak.
"Sir Navin! Sir Brooks! Stop this at once!" Rafe shouted, forcing his way forward.
They didn't hear him.
"Stop!!"
A sharp cry cut through the chaos.
Both men froze. The crowd also froze.
Anna stood there, her chest rising rapidly, her face flushed crimson with fury. Blood streaked down the knights' faces as they slowly turned towards her.
"Stop fighting—now!" she shouted.
The lady had yelled from the top of her lungs, something none of them had ever heard before, and the shock of it left everyone astonished.
Eric was the first to stand.
"My lady, I can explain—"
"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded. "You're both knights of the same order!"
Noah wiped the blood from his face. Then he rose and pushed his hair back, jaw clenched tight.
"This man is not suitable as your escort," Eric said quickly. "He's dangerous. You should replace him."
"You have no right to decide that," Noah snapped.
"I'm warning you, my lady," Eric pressed on. "He's a criminal."
"Why would you say that?" Anna asked, looking back at her escort.
"Because he's a r*pist."
Her eyes widened.
"I was never convicted!" Noah shouted. "The case was dismissed!"
"Only because there wasn't enough proof," Eric shot back. "Everyone knows you did it!"
"Enough!" Anna's voice rang out again.
Silence followed.
She looked at Noah—really looked at him. He didn't meet her eyes.
Then she turned to Eric. "What is your name?"
"I am Sir Eric Navin. Second-in-command," he answered pridefully.
"Then tell me this, Sir Navin," Anna said, looking him straight in the eyes. "Isn't it your duty to maintain order in the camp rather than initiating violence?"
Eric stiffened. "It is. But, he started it."
"It doesn't matter. You provoked him," she stated. "I saw what happened."
Ayden stepped forward, intending to ease the tension. "My lady, please—"
"Stay out of this, Ayden," the princess said firmly and stepped forward.
The assistant healer turned to Rafe, and both men blinked in surprise.
How had the polite, gentle lady suddenly spoken with such firmness? It was a manner entirely different from the one they knew.
"Apologise to my escort at once!"
The words halted Noah, prompting him to turn towards her.
At the same time, Eric fixed his gaze on Anna, a shock plain on his face, as though he could scarcely believe she had dared to command him.
"I will not apologise to him!" he refused.
"You obstructed my escort while he was on duty," the princess replied. "And you caused a public disturbance. Do not make me repeat myself."
"You tread on dangerous ground if you place your trust in him, my lady," the second-in-command warned.
"I am not placing my trust in Sir Brooks," Anna said calmly. "I am placing it in my husband, the Knight Commander. He appointed him as my escort."
Her gaze did not waver. "And as the one placed under his protection, I have the right to speak. If Sir Brooks were truly as dangerous as you claim, why would the commander entrust me to his care?"
Eric lowered his head.
The same question had echoed throughout the camp; of all the capable and proven knights, why him?
"Are you saying my husband misjudged his decision?" the princess pressed on.
Eric immediately held himself rigid.
"I wouldn't dare! The commander's judgment is beyond reproach."
He looked forward, not meeting her eyes.
A slight, mocking smile played on Noah's lips, impressed by the clarity of the commander's wife, but was quickly noticed by her emerald irises.
"Sir Brooks," the princess said sharply, turning to him, "do not mistake this for favouritism. I am not taking your side simply because you are my person."
The hint of a smile vanished from his face at once.
Yet despite the rebuke, a quiet warmth stirred in Noah's chest.
Except for the commander himself, no one had ever claimed him so plainly.
Loyalty, to a man who had once lived as a mercenary, had always been transactional—hired, used, and discarded once the purpose was fulfilled, bound only by coin and necessity, never by attachment.
And yet, after only a few days at her side, the newcomer lady had named him as her own—an acknowledgement that carried far heavier weight than any payment he had ever received.
Anna glanced at both men.
"As knights and comrades, you should have set aside personal grievances while on duty and upheld your code of chivalry," she said firmly. "You both know better than this."
"Yes, my lady," Eric answered at once.
"Therefore, Sir Navin," she continued, "you will apologise to Sir Brooks."
The second-in-command knight hesitated, the pause stretching as pride warred with duty, before he turned to Noah.
"…Sir Brooks. I offer my apology."
Noah remained silent for a moment.
"Please acknowledge it, Sir Brooks," Anna prompted.
He let out a low huff, clearly enjoying the advantage, then schooled his expression into composure.
"I accept."
"Good," the princess nodded once. "Now, shake hands."
"What?!"
Both men stared at her, eyes widening.