Chapter 56

Jefre was leaning against the wide window sill overlooking the main gate. He was wearing a grey shirt, black trousers and high boots. He always wore gloves during training. When he saw her, he stood with his legs apart and drew his sword, the scabbard of which was placed behind his back. 

Setia has been training every day for two weeks and now she was certain that she would never be able to defeat that damned Orchad in a fair fight. He had shown her a few new strikes and parries, but he still remained out of her reach. She was a fast learner, and she could fight with both her right and left hands. Jefre could do that too. However, her left hand was weaker, his was not. 

She didn't say a word, calmly holding her sword in her hand, she approached her fencing teacher. When she was almost a step away, she attacked unexpectedly, making a simple lunge that could kill an unprepared person. Jefre jumped slightly and deflected her attack, then made a half-turn and struck her weapon with the blade of his sword with full force. She felt that she almost dropped the weapon. She cursed inwardly and didn't stop attacking, Jefre was retreating, but the slight smile on his lips made her understand that she wouldn't defeat him today either. After more than an hour, she felt exhausted. Her hair was sticking to her temples and her blouse was soaked in sweat in several places. Jefre was also breathing faster, but that was all.

"I understand that it is over for today?" Jefre asked, tilting his head in that way of his.

"Since you're tired." Setia panted then sat down on the chair.

Jefre laughed loudly, he rarely did that so she felt shivers down her spine. He sheathed his sword and approached her.

"For a moment I had the impression that if you could kill me, I would be dead now." He came closer with that annoying, glued-on smile which never left his face, not even for a moment.

"You're right, .... honey, - she specially emphasized the last expression - why do I need a fencing teacher who is worse than me?"

Setia wiped her sweaty forehead, she wasn't wearing a mask. During the exercises it bothered her. Jefre stared at her face.

"What did you feel when they inflicted that wound on you?" Jefre suddenly changed the subject.

Sefre instinctively touched the scar on her face and gently ran her fingers over it.

"The stench of onion." She answered shortly.

"What?" Jefre was surprised

"When I was inflicted with this wound, all I could smell was the stench of onion and foul food coming out of the screaming Equerd's mouth. Pain, fear, sadness and regret came only later." Setia stood up from her seat, she didn't feel like making any more confessions. She moved towards the exit, Jefre caught up with her, grabbed her wrist, pulled her to him and hugged her tightly.

"Now you don't have to be afraid anymore, I will always protect you." His words sounded strangely soft. She snuggled into her lover's arms and for a moment inhaled his scent, wondering who would protect her from Jefre. After all, Aktis surely trusted him as well. 

Jefre felt the absolute excitement. He had never felt such emotions before. Ever since he met Setia, he had felt a sense of fulfillment. Even Aktis didn't provide him with such sensations, when he still thought he had met the perfect partner. Only now. He was never really sure what Setia would do next. When they made love together, he had the impression that she belonged only to him, he felt like her master. When they fought, like today, she fought him to the death. He watched her, she was going to Marwin's house, the duke's legist. 

Jefre had been following her since the beginning of his stay. At first, to make sure that she was not plotting something against him, later he told himself that he was protecting her. In fact, at some point he was seized by the thought that she might be seeing another man. He learned some interesting things about Marwin. He knew that he was a spy in the service of Aktis. He even wanted to tell Setia about it for a moment, but he realized that she already knew. The guards told him an interesting story, over a mug of beer that he bought them, about how Marwin lost two fingers after talking to the Duchess. 

Aktis always commissioned this or that job to him. She was ruthless, but she didn't get her hands dirty. Jefre felt like an extension of her hand, of her will. Setia took the sword herself and cut off the fingers of her enemy. She stood face to face with death and pushed forward. He wanted her in every possible way. This was his perfect half. 

He pulled the hood over his head, he didn't want anyone to recognize him. His eyes always drew attention, that is why he had to additionally camouflage himself when he was following someone. He crouched in the gate, looking like a beggar, so he could calmly observe the entrance to the legist's house. A slight movement to the left caught his attention. After a moment, he realized that he was not the only one watching the Duchess. The man was middle-aged, his clothes were worn, but they were not rags. The stranger had his face covered with a hood, just like Jefre.

 It is interesting, but people who follow others

they usually forget that they themselves can be followed as well. Jefre approached unnoticed. Setia left Marwin's house and headed straight for the castle. The stranger followed her to the gate, then left. Jefre managed to get a closer look at him. He would find him, but later. Now he went after Setia. He saw her handing some letter to Rolo. Rolo had been assigned to guard a merchant caravan going to Fenigrid. Jefre approached him.

"Hello Rolo, leaving again?" he asked politely.

"Aaa," sighed Rolo, a tough guy with a dull expression on his face - "if you have to, you have to, it's not bad. Merchants pay well and the Lady doesn't skimp."

"If you're carrying letters, she won't be stingy." said Jefre casually.

"No, I'm not carrying letters, so I have to give them to Katyler, you know, the one who trades in materials and leather." Rolo waved his hand.

Jefre glanced at the letter in Rolo's hand, which disappeared a moment later behind the lapels of the guard's jerkin. He recognized Marwin's seal. So Setia controlled the mail exchange between Aktis and Marwin. Clever. Jefre smiled and headed towards the inn. Time to find this stranger and find out something about him.