Even several paces away, Noah had the feeling that the shrieking Orten peacock still clung to him. The thick perfume of roses and peaches, in which she had obviously bathed, stuck like a wet cloth around him and Noah was almost certain that its intended purpose was to fumigate into oblivion any creature with a nose in her vicinity. He patted the front of his doublet where her talons had clawed in and his face twisted at the memory of her fluttering eyelids. For some reason, the whole encounter left him nauseated, bathed in a cold sweat and weary like a doe sensing the approaching wolf.

Making sure to breathe only through his mouth, he briskly walked away from the carriages and into the security of Ildemar’s walls. Oblivious to anything around, his feet took control and guided him to the sunny inner courtyard. Only when he reached the shade of one of the trees following the open gallery, he stopped, reigned in by a weak pull. Looking around, Noah realized that Lorelei was looking at him with some bewilderment and worry.

“My lord,” the bells of her voice summoned calm to his chaotic thoughts, “what are you doing?”

Blinking at Lorelei, Noah had difficulty understanding the question until finally, it dawned on him. His arm was still firmly wrapped around her waist ever since the moment he had escaped… retreated from Pricilla Orten’s clutches. With his senses returning to normal, he became increasingly aware of the pleasant warmth of her body, pressing against his, and the light fragrance of mint and lily-of-the-valley that mixed with the usual bitterness of herbs lingering on her skin. A warm wave spread throughout his body, the sensation quickly turning into a wildfire as he realized that in this position he had the perfect vantage point to observe the cleavage of her dress, currently generously more revealing due to the warming summer weather. For an instant, the thought of letting go of her and the tantalizing desire to keep her in his embrace clashed, desire winning over virtue.

Still, he averted his gaze from its current target and met Lorelei’s deep brown eyes. With a mischievous smile, he urged her to renew their stroll.

“I don’t think I understand your question, dear Duchess,” he said, pretending to look at the summer sky but keeping her face in the corner of his eyes.

“You brought me here without saying a word, my lord.” She didn’t fight and calmly followed his lead. “And your face was like…”

“Like what?”

“Like you wanted to attack or murder someone. If one didn’t know better, they could very well say that you’ve snatched me away to lock me into the tallest tower.”

“Well, I have a reputation to keep after all. Please, tell me if our stroll isn’t to your liking and I can make sure to organize a nice, windy tower. Although I might have difficulties finding a fire-breathing dragon to keep my princess safe from pesky ingrates and nuisances.”

Lorelei chuckled, and Noah was mesmerized by her bright, flushed face. She sure looked most beautiful when smiling.

“You are such a sweet talker, my lord. I could almost think that you were courting me.”

“That… I…” Her statement left him tongue-twisted for a moment. What was the best course of action? He couldn’t bring himself to decline, but to affirm… Was she going to accept such a sudden statement?

He was startled by the light tap she gave his hand. Looking at Lorelei’s face he could see a slight shadow of sadness.

“My lord, I was simply jesting. Please, don’t think too much of it. Besides, I’m well aware of why you are doing all this.”

“You are?”

“Yes. Going out of your way to show such courtesy in order to spite my father and solidify my position as your wife… Thank you.”

“Naturally, no one should ever doubt your standing as my Duchess,” he replied, but his mind was screaming the whole time what he didn’t dare put into words:

‘I am courting you! I am most definitely courting you, and that damn count has nothing to do with it! Oh, come on, tell her, you coward! You claim to be the horrible, ruthless Beast of Norden, yet you are shaking at the thought of confessing and being rejected!’

“But you don’t need to force yourself to do such a thing,” her words were like a slap in his face.

“What makes you think I’m forcing myself?”

“Well, I know how much work you have with reestablishing the castle’s security and the Crown Prince’s upcoming visit. And, if you forgive my boldness, right now, you look quite absent-minded.”

‘And it’s all because of you, woman!’

Instead of screaming this as he wished, Noah simply took up her palm and kissed it.

“My dear Lorelei, stealing a couple of minutes with you would in no way deter my work. On the contrary. I beg you, please, let us stroll for a bit longer. I have no desire to meet your father or that pink demon spawn of his any time soon. Please, save me from that hell, at least until the official dinner tonight.”

“If you put it that way, my lord, I can’t refuse.” She smiled and didn’t make any effort to pull away her hand. This was like a ray of sunshine for Noah. Maybe… if he did everything just right… if he put more effort into naturally courting her… maybe she would accept his feelings when he was ready to face her.

Walking side by side, a brief silence hung between them before Lorelei disturbed it.

“Honestly,” she laughed, but Noah could detect nervousness in her tone, “this is the first time I meet someone who doesn’t want to enjoy Pricilla’s company.”

“Why would anyone want to spend time with her?”

“Well, she is beautiful.”

“If you like fluttery peacocks, I suppose.”

“And she is an elegant lady, educated in court etiquette, song, and music.”

“I do admit that she has a pair of mighty lungs. I remember her screeching like a dying harpy during our wedding.”

“Your Highness, you seem to have a strange sense of humor.” For some reason, the sadness in Lorelei’s voice deepened.

“Usually I do, but right now, I’m simply speaking the truth.”

“It’s still hard to believe.” She absentmindedly plucked a leaf from a close-hanging branch and rolled it between her fingers. “I know how men look at my sister, my lord. I know that her elfin face can capture the heart and mind. But… Forgive me for the bluntness, but I hope that despite her advances… you will remain clear-headed”

“Wait a moment.” Noah stopped and studied Lorelei's worried face. “Why would I fall for that flutter-shriek? Give me some credit, dear Duchess. Do I look like someone that would chase after every skirt?”

“I am sure you’ve noticed just now that she has more than a skirt. Any man of flesh and blood would naturally desire-”

“Goodness, Lorelei! How should I explain this to you!? When I see your sister, the last thought I have is to put her in my bed! I’d rather lay with an old, toothless crone than with a poisonous rose like Pricilla Orten. Don’t think I didn’t see through her trick. Twisting her ankle! Bah! But whatever she wants, she isn’t going to get. I promise you.”

Finishing his tirade, Noah took a breath and stared at the woman before him. Lorelei stood there, flushed but a look of relief softened her strained features.

“Thank you, my lord,” she said quietly.

“No need for thanks. But it seems that the men you’ve met up to now haven’t been of sound taste or judgment, especially when it comes to women.”

“You could say that.” Again, the pained smile stretched her lips and shot an arrow straight into Noah’s heart.

“My Duchess. Of one I can assure you. There is no Lady in Norden more noble or of higher virtue than you. But if you insist on equating dignity and worth to the amount of trinkets and fineries one wears, I’ll make sure that during tonight’s dinner, no one would have any doubts about who the first lady in Norden is.”