A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

Chapter 666 Lady Blackthorn and the Pendragon Princess - Part 1

"Will that work for you, Ser Patrick?" Blackthorn asked.

"Ser Patrick?" Oliver said. "You're addressing me properly as well? I suppose if you're taking it that seriously, I don't need to worry about you securing Asabel's favour... Not that I'd expect her to turn you down regardless. Very well, I guess I'll put a similar amount of effort in. I do owe you for the trial, after all."

She dipped her head, and said her thanks quietly before leaving. "You've truly gone out of your way with this, Ser Patrick, I thank you. I knew it was an unreasonable request when I asked it in your room... but to think that there would be hope."

Before Oliver could even make to reply, she was already moving away. She'd delivered her thanks as though it were a dose of poison, hiding her expression from both Oliver's retainers and her own. From the look of them, they didn't seem to realize that she'd said anything at all. Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire

"I will send word of tonight's timings when I know of it," Oliver called after her. Pauline turned around to bow her thanks.

"Hm? Why have you gone red?" Karesh asked, noticing the blush on Kaya's cheeks.

"H-huh? No reason," Kaya said quickly, wiping his face, as though that would help. Jorah said nothing, though his smile seemed to be abandoning his friend.

"I will handle the delivery of that message this evening, if you wish it, my Lord," Jorah said instead, preemptively.

Oliver nodded.

He made sure to include the coat that Blackthorn had bought him – for it was by far his most lavish item of clothing- though it now hung open, given the warmth of the room and the many roaring fires, showcasing its fine lining, and the blue of his clothes beneath.

Judas, Karesh and Kaya had all been assigned jobs of their own. They were to function as guardsmen, and welcome the guests when was needed.

Verdant still only had ten retainers of his own – which to Oliver was an enormous number of them – and apparently, that was insufficient to run a household of this size with, especially if they were hosting royalty. So concessions needed to be made, making the whole thing more complicated than it ought to have been.

The ex-priest resided over it all, giving directions where needed, and ensuring everything was going according to plan.

It was hard to see that side of him, and imagine at all that he'd donned priestly robes at a time. He was even beginning to grow his hair back. In time, he would look like any other high-standing noble heir, Oliver supposed.

He clutched a cup of tea, and made a mock expression of being deep in thought, as though having so many people running for his purpose was something that he was entirely used to. Of course, that was far from being the case, and he felt almost an itch to do something. It seemed impossible to relax, in a room where everyone else is busy.

"Kaya, straighten up," Verdant called over from the hallway. "The appointed time is upon us. The Princess is liable to be here at any minute."

Oliver glanced at the grandfather clock, seeing what Verdant said to be the truth. The pendulum swung back and forth, counting away the seconds, as Kaya nervously sought to comply with Verdant's point.

They all had ceremonial swords at their hips. Ceremonial only in their appearance, for they were still quite functional, and sharpened to a vicious edge. Oliver had cleaned his sword and brought it as well. It would have been strange to go anywhere important without it now, given how accustomed he'd grown to its weight and its general presence.