"Ronnik, can you explain what's going on?" asked Alaric sternly.
The mood in the room was mixed. On the one hand Alaric was confused and on the other Elinora looked annoyed. Ronnik came in panting and went over to the duke.
"It's all a misunderstanding, Your Grace. I told Jaden what you told me and he then left and came to you."
Ronnik stopped speaking and looked at Elinora. She couldn't hide her anxiety and anger. But along with them she felt fear. Fear of what would happen if she was fired. What would happen if she returned home. Surely her father would not be very happy.
"You want to fire me?" she asked, turning to Alaric.
Alaric didn't answer right away. He sighed and leaned back in his chair, looking at her.
"I didn't say I'd kick you out, but after yesterday... I assumed you'd want to leave. So I told Ronnik to ask you about the compensation. That's all," he told her with a feigned calm.
"I don't want to leave," she said directly.
Alaric stood looking at her some more before answering.
"You're not leaving?"
"No, Your Grace."
Ronnik lowered his gaze and smiled with a smile of affirmation. He knew 'Jaden' wouldn't leave, and now it turned out he was right. Alaric was silent for a few moments, his eyes studying Elinora carefully. Something in her insistence troubled him. He wasn't used to people who wanted to stay close to him despite the rumors, despite the incident.
"Why?" he finally asked, his voice low, barely heard.
Elinora took a deep breath. She couldn't tell him the truth. She couldn't tell him she had nowhere to go. That her home was not a home, but a prison. That her own father saw her as a burden.
"Did you say something, Your Grace?" she finally said.
She preferred to pretend she hadn't heard. And the duke did not repeat his question.
"If that is what you wish, then you may remain," he said at last, his voice flat.
Elinora nodded, but did not relax. From that moment on she had to be even more careful. She was thinking that even though she hadn't been fired that day by Alaric, if she wasn't careful enough it might happen another day. Ronnik, feeling the atmosphere heavy, hurried to speak.
"Well, since that's resolved..." he began, trying to sound lighthearted, "I'll get back to my duties."
Alaric gave him a stern look, but didn't stop him. Ronnik, seeing that there was nothing more to be said, gave a slight bow and left the room, leaving the two of them alone.
For a while, no one spoke.
"You may go now, Jaden," Alaric said first.
"Don't you need me for anything?"
Alaric was silent for a moment, as if thinking about what job he could give "Jaden to do."
"Go prepare the meeting room. I'm expecting a guest to arrive."
"At once, Your Grace," Elinora nodded.
She turned quickly and left the room, her heart pounding. She wanted to do her best. Walking down the hallway, she began to think about who this guest might be. Visits to the duke were not frequent, and usually meant something important.
When she reached the meeting room, she took a deep breath and began to prepare the room. He dusted off the small wooden table in the living room, arranged the chairs and armchairs, and made sure there were glasses and wine in place. As she arranged, her mind was lighter.
Once she had completed the arrangements, she stood in the middle of the room, checking that everything was in place.
And then, he heard footsteps.
He turned to the door and saw Ronnik standing there, with an invisible smile.
"You're doing well," he told her.
"I'm trying," Elinora said with a smile.
Ronnik looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, but said nothing more. He took a step back, leaving the door open.
"Our guest today is very important," he told her in a low voice.
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