Chapter 50

Moros was standing at the window and watching the main road. He had been avoiding Tendred since yesterday, because the prince was starting to get too pushy. Moros knew that sooner or later this would happen. You can't fool someone like the Prince of Emfer forever. He even felt a bit sorry for Tendred, he had put his feelings in the wrong person and that was only because Moros had encouraged him by using understatements and spending a lot of time with him, smiling and giving hints with meaningless for Moros gestures, yet Tendred fell for it. He had to talk to Setia. In her absence, Tendred confessed his feelings to him, putting Moros in a really tight spot. 

Setia's absence had a depressing effect on him, it turned out that it was from her presence and determination that he drew strength for this risky court game. Her absence made him realize that he was still a dependent slave who could not make any decisions on his own. He was trying to excuse his own incompetence to himself, by looking for excuses. After all she had the whole plan in her head and the money to implement it and he was just helping her. But the truth is that he felt calm when she was the one directing all their movements. 

The main road was busy, tomorrow was a market day, and merchants were moving their stalls and stands to the main square to get the best spots. Two riders were pushing their way through the crowd. Moros could have sworn it was Setia, but who was the other person? He hastily moved away from the window and quietly made his way down a side staircase to Setia's chambers. On the way, he ordered a servant with pretty dimples to bring snacks for the duchess's chambers, as well as wine and three goblets. He didn't wait long. After a moment, the door opened and Setia entered, accompanied by a tall man with unusually bright eyes, which he now fixed on Moros.

"Hello, little brother." Setia smiled at the sight of him, but Moros sensed a certain tension. "Did anything happen during my absence?"

"No. - Moros did not stop observing the light-eyed man - "A few letters arrived and Marwin wanted to see you."

Setia nodded, then as if remembering her new companion, she pointed at him and said

"This is my old companion, from the period before Kanror ." That's how she used to date many things. There was a time before Kanror and after. "He will help us. His name is Jefre."

Moros looked into those icy eyes and extended his hand in greeting.

Jefre returned the hug without a word.

"Maybe we should sit down, - he suggested - I ordered something to eat."

"Very good." Setia took off her caftan and reached for a goblet of wine with satisfaction. "What will you drink?" She turned to the newcomer.

"Water." he had a strong, decisive voice. He has probably never been a slave.

"I'll go get some water." Moros suggested, " then we'll talk." He threw a glance at Setia, who nodded in response.

When Moros left, Jefre went around the entire room, the adjoining bedroom and looked behind every curtain and tapestry, checked under the bed to make sure they were alone. When he finally sat down Setia said with a bit of irony.

"You didn't look in the chests, I could hide an entire army there." She reached for the dried fruit casually.

"Don't worry, at night when you're sleeping I'll search everything thoroughly." Then he reached for the plate with the dried fruit.

"The food isn't poisoned - Setia noticed - you can feel free to eat whatever you want."

Jefre was about to answer her when Moros entered accompanied by a maid with a jug of water.

"Put it here - Moros ordered and after the maid left he poured some clean water into a goblet - here you go" Saying this he handed it to Jefre.

Setia smiled to herself and watched Jefre calmly, wondering whether he would drink it or not.

"Thank you." Jefre replied and pulled out a bag of powder from behind his jacket, poured a little of it into the water, stirred it in a circular motion and drank it. Setia and Moros exchanged glances and finished the wine in silence.

"Are you from Orchad?" Moros asked out of the blue.

"Why do you think so?" Jefre answered with a question.

"I've already seen an Orchad warrior with equally bright eyes. He said that he belongs to a clan whose name I can't remember anymore, and that everyone there had eyes like that."

"So I'm from Orchad." Jefre agreed and fixed his cold eyes on Moros.

"Jefre will get this small room next to the entrance to the dungeons."Setia said to Moros to interrupt this strange exchange of words. "Tell the maid to prepare it for him, then we'll talk."

Moros nodded, he felt that something was wrong between these two. He decided to withdraw, his case would have to wait. He still felt shivers down his spine from Orchad's cold gaze.

"Do you intend to keep me away from you?" He asked after Moros left.

"No, but you have to have your own place, you can't sleep in this room." Setia stood up from the chair. "I have to freshen up, and so do you."

"I'll stand guard outside your room." Jefre said, standing up.

"Jefre, calm down, - Setia approached him and put her hand on his cheek - we agreed, I keep my word. - she said looking him straight in those cold eyes - Besides, if I wanted to, you would have been captured by now."

Jefre took her face in his hands, leaned down, put his forehead against hers and after a moment added. "I have sacrificed a lot for you. Never betray me or cheat on me," and then he went outside where the maid was already waiting, her cheeks flushed as she was stealing glances at this powerful looking man. Setia caught her breath. This Jefre was overwhelming her. He had burst into her life unexpectedly, brutally, and she had to admit to herself that she was not indifferent to him. There was something about him, some darkness and power that awakened her hidden desires. She had to shake it off. He had said that she was not to betray him, although he had betrayed Aktis himself. It didn't matter, she wouldn't change anything now or come up with anything. Moros wanted to tell her something, he made it clear that the matter was urgent and private. She should wash up, change and face everything. Just one thing at a time.