Chương 43: Chivalry Yet Lives

Finding Sir Deren was not difficult. The man spent most of his time in or around the military keep, and his presence there was as consistent as the guards. Finding the right moment to approach him, however, proved far more complicated. On her first visit, she spotted him in the training yard, locked in a sparring match with the prince. Steel clashed with controlled force, and the rhythm of their movements was fluid like to dancer in a ball. They were drawing the attention of every soldier and servant nearby.

Lira did not linger. She adjusted her pace and continued walking as if she had somewhere else to be. Maids passed through the area often enough that she did not stand out, and as long as she kept moving, no one questioned her presence. That was not something she was willing to interrupt. Instead, she turned away and went to find something else to occupy her time. She found Tessa in the laundry, buried under a growing pile of linens, and joined her without much thought.

For the next hour, they worked side by side, the repetitive motion giving Lira time to think while Tessa filled the silence with gossip. Especially since the girl had just reminded her that spring was approaching, and with it came the social season. Nobles would soon begin arriving in greater numbers, filling the castle with activity. Balls, dinners, and formal gatherings would follow, each one requiring an army of servants to maintain the illusion of effortless luxury.

The work would increase, expectations would rise, and mistakes would not be tolerated. Lira had no intention of being reassigned when that happened. If she wanted to secure her place as the library's caretaker, she needed to finish organizing it before the influx began. Otherwise, she risked being sent back to general duties or, worse, cleaning the stables again. By the time she returned to the keep, the sun had shifted. The second visit proved far more promising. The prince was no longer in the yard.

Instead, he was engaged in conversation with the older knight, Sir Salvek. Their discussion appeared serious, leaving Sir Deren alone at the edge of the training grounds. He was practicing a sword kata. His movements were precise and controlled, each step flowing into the next with practiced ease. There was no hesitation or wasted motion. The blade moved as if it were an extension of his body, cutting through the air efficiently. Lira approached slowly, the restored manual held carefully against her chest.

She stopped just within his peripheral vision and waited. It did not take long. His gaze shifted, his brow lifting slightly as he noticed her. The bright orange of her hair made it easy to recognize her. He finished the motion he was in, then lowered his blade and sheathed it before walking toward her. Lira kept her posture steady. She was not intimidated by men. She had dealt with worse than knights during her years surviving on her own, scammers and thieves, but also a few thugs on occasion.

What unsettled her was not the man himself, but his pedigree. The memory of her father surfaced unbidden, followed by the name she never allowed herself to forget: Lord Kenth Kelroth. The bitterness that came with it tightened in her chest, but she forced it down before it could show on her face. Sir Deren was not that man. By all accounts, he was honorable; some might even call him kind. He did not deserve to be judged for another man's sins.

By the time he reached her, her expression had settled into something polite and controlled.

"You are the girl from the library, right?" he asked, removing his helmet. His hair was damp with sweat, clinging in uneven strands, yet it did little to diminish his appearance. If anything, it gave him a more grounded look; he no longer seemed like a distant noble, but more like a real person. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Can I help you with something?" Lira noticed a few nearby guards beginning to pay attention.

"Could we speak in private?" she asked, her tone measured as her eyes briefly flicked toward the watching men. Sir Deren followed her gaze, then nodded without hesitation.

"Of course." He led the way out of the training area, and she followed a step behind and slightly to his left, maintaining the proper position expected of her. He guided them to a quiet corner of the courtyard, beneath the shade of a tree. It was far enough from others to avoid unwanted attention, yet still open enough to remain appropriate. Lira took note of that. It was thoughtful of him to choose a place so deliberately, preserving her from rumors. Her opinion of him improved even more.

She decided to proceed with her plan.

"I found something that might interest you," she began, bringing the book forward with both hands. It was a risk to offer him the reward before the request, but she thought it would work better with how honorable he seemed to be acting. Before she could continue, however, he raised a hand slightly, his expression shifting into something unexpectedly serious.

"I must warn you, young miss," he said, his tone almost apologetic, "that I do not engage in clandestine affairs with maids." Lira stared at him for a second. Then she began to frown, offended. She was about to respond when he continued.

"While some knights may disregard their oaths, I do not," he added with a solemn nod.

"I intend to remain honorable and save myself for marriage." Lira was caught so off guard that she forgot to be mad and burst out laughing. It slipped out before she could stop it, light and unrestrained, one hand rising to cover her mouth.

"I am sorry, my lord," she said, still smiling, "but you have mistaken me." She lifted the book slightly between them.

"I need your help, not your hand in marriage." A faint flush crossed his face as realization set in.

"…Ah." He cleared his throat, suddenly far more interested in the tree canopy. Lira extended the book toward him again.

"I found this in the library and thought it might be of interest to you." He accepted it carefully, and the moment his eyes landed on the cover, his entire demeanor changed.

"Is this…?" He turned it slightly, examining the craftsmanship.

"This was written by Master Yohan." His gaze snapped back to her.

"These are incredibly rare. Almost priceless. Are you certain I can have this?" Lira shrugged lightly.

"No one has claimed the books in the library for decades. It has been used as a dumping ground for years. I found it among the discarded piles." She paused briefly before adding, "I made sure to dust the pages and clean the leather before bringing it to you." He blinked.

"Someone discarded this?" His disbelief was genuine. Lira offered a small, noncommittal shrug. He opened the book and flipped through a few pages, his attention fully captured. His posture relaxed, the earlier awkwardness forgotten as he examined the diagrams with clear interest. Lira let him have the moment, but only for a short while. She cleared her throat gently. He looked up immediately.

"My apologies," he said, closing the book with some reluctance.

"I have been rude. I am Sir Deren Valis." He hesitated for a fraction of a second before adding, more formally, "May I ask for your name?"

"Lira…" she almost said Valora before catching herself.

"Lira Tenlan." To her surprise, he bowed slightly and took her hand, brushing a respectful kiss against it.

"What task can I assist you with, Lady Lira?" he asked, a hint of enthusiasm entering his voice.

"Is your village in danger? Do you require the slaying of a beast? A troll, perhaps?" Lira blinked, caught off guard.

"Nothing quite so dramatic," she said, unable to stop a faint blush from forming.

"I simply need assistance with a more… administrative matter." His expression shifted, becoming more attentive.

"Go on."

"I need access to additional manpower," she explained.

"Specifically, help from the footmen to clear and reorganize the library. However, I am new, and I do not have the standing to make such a request directly to the steward."

"Dalwin," he said, his tone tightening slightly. His hand drifted toward the hilt of his sword.

"Has he caused you trouble?" Lira raised both hands quickly.

"No, nothing like that. I have barely interacted with the man," she said.

"It is just that he is known to be dismissive. I believed that if the request came through someone of higher standing, it would be taken more seriously." Sir Deren studied her for a moment.

"I outrank him quite a bit," he said slowly.

"Yet you seem to have had no trouble approaching me." Lira held his gaze evenly. She did not remind him that she had secured the perfect gift before approaching him.

"You are known to be fair," she said instead.

"And I believed you would listen." That seemed to satisfy him. After a brief pause, he nodded.

"Very well. I will speak to him on your behalf." Relief settled quietly in her chest.

"Thank you, my lord." He gave a small smile, tapping the restored manual lightly against his palm.

"I believe I am the one in your debt." Lira allowed herself a small, knowing smile. The exchange had gone exactly as planned.

"Then I will leave it in your capable hands."

"Come," he said, turning toward the exit.

"We might as well address this immediately." Lira followed, one step behind, her pace measured and composed. Everything was moving forward.