Page 52 of Knight of Chaos
She placed one bunch of flowers at the head of each headstone. The carvings in the stone had their names but nothing else. Kneeling between the graves, she looked upon her father’s and could only ask herself why.Why did you not tell me I was born into a noble house?
“You may never have closure to your question, Ingrid,” Charles’s voice answered behind her as if he had read her very thoughts. But Ingrid knew that Charles had no knowledge of the inner turmoil, since she had decided to keep secret from him and the villagers the true circumstances of her birth. In the little bit of time she still had with them, she hadn’t wanted her rank to get in the way or make anyone feel uncomfortable. She had not spoken the truth even to Charles. He likely just thought she had unfinished business since her father had died so suddenly.
She wiped her tears and stood taking one last look upon the graves not knowing when or even if she might ever return this way. Ingrid turned her attention to the man who had seen her through the worst of her childhood. He had always been there to right the wrongs of the way she had been treated… or rejected… by the other village girls. He had wiped her tears away as a child and she in turn had held him in the very highest esteem even though she knew someday she would break his heart. She had always known he had romantic feelings for her but she could never have those same emotions, even as she appreciated the wonderful man Charles had become.
She ignored his comment, redirecting the conversation. “I am sorry I could not give you more, Charles. You deserve better than what I could have offered you,” she murmured coming to stand next to him and taking his hand.
His thumb ran over her skin in a gentle caress. “You mean only half your heart?”
“Aye. If you look deep enough, you will see that we never would have been happy together in the way a husband and wife should be,” she said, hoping he would understand.
“I would have been willing to try,” he confessed whilst squeezing her hand.
She gave him a weak smile. “I know you would have. I hope you know I only wish for your happiness, Charles.”
He gave a half laugh, half snort. “Happiness… what is that?”
“You will know it when you see it with the right person at your side,” she answered him brightly in the hopes he, too, would find love someday.
“And does your husband make you happy?” he asked whilst looking in the direction of Ingrid’s home. Theobald stood there as if waiting for a sign she was in need of rescuing.
“Aye, he does.”
Charles nodded. “If such is the case, then I am happy for you, Ingrid.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
He offered her his arm to take, which she did. They began making their way toward the tethered horses. “I am not certain I understand anything, these days, Ingrid. Only that I lost you.”
She pulled on his arm to halt their progress. “You have not lost my friendship, Charles. You must know this. That is the one thing that will never be taken away from you. If you ever have need of me, you can always send word to Calbridge Castle.”
He gave a slight grin. “A lady and her castle. Who would have ever thought such a thing was possible for you?”
She gave a shrug knowing such words would have been outlandish if spoken but months ago. “Certainly not me. I still consider myself a simple woman with simple needs.”
He patted her hand and then continued forward. “That will all change once you arrive at your new home. I hope you are prepared for all that will entail.”
“I can only take things one step at a time.” She made every attempt to appear the confident woman Charles had always known but inside she was still quaking in fear of the unknown. Nervous knots filled her stomach when she allowed herself to imagine what awaited her in her future but she knew Theobald would help her along the way.
“Then I wish you and your husband well and Godspeed, dearest Ingrid,” Charles said. From the look upon his face, he appeared resigned to her situation.
She placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek. “I wish you all the happiness life can offer, Charles,” she replied knowing this could also be the last time she saw her friend. ’Twas perhaps best that things were left this way. Her future lay ahead of her, not behind her in the past.
Theobald waited patiently for them to arrive. Oswin came from the cottage with a piece of bread and cheese in his hand. He waved his hand in Ingrid’s direction as though giving her thanks for the simple meal before taking another bite and heading toward his horse. Blake and Kingsley came next, followed by Reynard and Richard. All in all, they would be quite the traveling party as they made their way back to the Empress in Gloucester.
Theobald stepped forward to take his wife’s hand. He nodded to Charles who returned the gesture. “Are you ready, my dear?” her husband asked.
“Aye, I suppose. As ready as I shall ever be,” she answered looking once more at the cottage. She had previously spoken to Charles about keeping the place for himself or giving it to anyone who was in need of a place to stay. The choice was up to him. She no longer needed it or the memories that went with it. She had given the cottage and its belongings to Charles to do with it as he pleased.
Theobald helped her into her saddle after checking the cinches one last time. He gave Valor a pat and the proceeded to mount Buttercup who neighed in protest. Ingrid giggled hearing her husband call his steed an ornery beast before he called out to the men to proceed.
“Godspeed, Ingrid,” Charles murmured once again, and Ingrid gave him a nod before flicking the reins of Valor.
Her horse kicked forward, and she looked back upon her past one last time. Charles waved goodbye, and she did the same. She made a vow to herself that her past would no longer haunt her future. She was now heading home and to her new life with Theobald at her side where he belonged.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The trip backto Gloucester and the Empress did not take as long since there were no wrong turns this time, but it was unfortunately just as wet as their previous journey. Once more the sky decided to voice its displeasure by pouring water from the heavens down upon them for days on end. This made the going slow and treacherous, but they had at last reached their destination. Theobald could see for himself that Ingrid was weary, and he longed for a warm, dry bed along with a cool drink to slake his thirst.
