Duke DeVess

Miriam turns around, Kier holding his breath as if preparing for the worse.

 Dirty blonde hair with silver streaks curl over his ears, his twinkling gray eyes full of humor. His facial features are aged with lines as if he'd worked all of his life, skin tanned by his time under the sun. His uniform consists of shades of blue with the crest of his family on his breast pocket over his heart.

 "Lord DeVess." Miriam greeted, with an uncertain tone. 

 Kier stood behind Miriam, letting her know that he was there, and it did make her feel better, her heart calming down.

 "I'm so glad they were able to track you down, Lady Miriam. Though I'm terribly sorry you lost your memories. That's indeed a shame." he sighed heavily, smoothing out invisible wrinkles in his pants.

 Lord Elton cares for order, and control. It can be a good thing, but from what I've seen how he raises Elyanna, is exhausting...

 Words from the old Miriam's diary echoed in this Miriam's mind. But she gave Lord Elton a polite smile and thanked him for his concern.

 "Thank you. And also thank you for troubling yourself to come all the way out here. I know um...Tempestus is still trying to normalize after you offered allyship with someone from the kingdom of Leo." Miriam said, Kier placing a cautious hand on her elbow.

 But Miriam hadn't meant any ill will in her words; she was quite impressed with how Lord Elton had figured out a way to unite a different estate with his in case war broke out.

 "Thank you, Lady Miriam. I've tried to talk your father into thinking of offering your hand in marriage for an allyship. The one he lost would have gone through had he heeded my words." Lord Elton replied, and Lord Malcolm seemed to somber at that thought.

 "I've told you Elton, my daughter will not be a negotiating pawn. Besides, I'd prefer her to fall in love and marry. It's why I was suggesting if she fancied Kier, her personal guard." Malcolm replied, a tense atmosphere settling over the both of them.

 "Father, I wish you not encourage those ideas. It will make it very awkward with Kier and I." Miriam huffed.

 Malcolm seemed to want to pinch her face cheek, Lord Elton letting out a soft chuckle as he accepted a chalice one of the passing servants was offering on the serving trays.

 "Please, enjoy the feast, Lord DeVess. If you will excuse me." Miriam said, turning around.

 She then disappeared to the food table, Kier on her heels. It must have surprised Lord Elton that she didn't ask for Elyanna. Maybe he would take her injury seriously after all.

 She served herself, waving away the servants who tried to serve her. She wanted to do it herself, Kier reaching to serve her some wine before dropping his hand back to his side.

 "I fear I dislike Lord DeVess." Miriam told Kier, a startled look overcoming his features. "He seems the same as usual which is not a good thing."

 "Forgive me, my lady, but you're usually more private about your dislike about Lord Elton." Kier replied.

 Miriam merely shrugged, heading over to sit down. 

 She'd served herself some shelled pasta with crab meat drizzled in butter sauce and creamy white sauce with bread rolls, a thick slab of pork, and a side of vegetables that Kier had talked her into getting.

 Miriam stuffed her mouth, so she didn't have to talk to Kier but also because she was starving, and the food was delicious. She drunk down a sort of fizzy fruit beverages, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

 "This food was exemplary. Is it too early to leave for the gardens?" Miriam's gazed went to her father, and she winced. He was dancing with all the maidens, and servants alike. Lord DeVess was having a ball laughing at him.

 "If that's what my lady wishes, but you are the guest of honor that this feast is being thrown for." Kier replied.

 "I fear my father has attracted all the attention, and I wish to clear my mind away from these seeking gazes searching for answers I do not have." Miriam replied.

 For that, Kier had no answer and instead followed after Miriam as she went out where she thought the gardens were at.

 In the end, Kier lead her there, taking her out through the side door. Stars glittered in existence, the sky a dark purple. Miriam took her time looking at the scenery before her.

 The estate of her home was on a hill, and it had a clear view of Azuris, many torches still on to show that the people living there were awake and milling about. Miriam looked at it for a moment, before turning to where Kier stood.

 Green grass was laid out everywhere, bushes with blooming blue roses, and the sound of a stream bubbling nearby. Miriam gazed at the stalks of sunflowers, a cool breeze spreading the scent of lavender and wildflowers.

 In her old world, Miriam, or rather Laney, had lived in the city. The nights were never clear like this, and the flora was definitely not like this. Her fingers traced the stems of the sunflowers as she walked on, and when she found a bench to sit on, she did, Kier out of sight.

 He was probably standing guard just in case someone tried to do away with her. Though there were allies on her father's land, she knew those could be tedious, no matter how friendly they appeared.

 Miriam wished to go to her room and learn more. She needed to finish that diary now that she could properly read it. 

 The answers that she needed were so close yet so far away.

 "I didn't expect to see the lady of the hour out here." a voice said behind her.

 Miriam stiffened as she turned around, a tall woman with thick brown braids going down her back. Golden cuffs were braided into her hair, eyes a dark brown boring into Miriam's gaze. Smooth cinnamon brown skin was enhanced by golden dust on her cheekbones, her lips full and shining a soft blood red. She wore an off blue dress that was dark enough to be navy, heart shaped at the bosom, and modest at the bottom, her shoes blacked and spiked. She gave off the aura of someone of high status-and someone dangerous.

 "Duchess Ximena." Keir greeted, stepping out from the shadows. He was relaxed, but the sight of him was a warning to her; not too close, lest you want trouble.

 "Kier? Sorry, I didn't see your leash." she replied, chuckling to herself. Kier scoffed, but Miriam held out her hand, gesturing for him to stand down.

 "Pleased to meet you, Duchess Ximena." Miriam replied, an amused smile spreading on her face.

 "So, the rumors are true then. You hit your pretty little head on something, and all your memories flew out the window." she tsked, looking disappointed as she stepped around them both in a lazy circle.

 Kier, the trained soldier that he was, kept in pace with her, muscles taut as he waited for her to do something threatening.

 "Did you forget your secrets as well, Lady Miriam. I knew you were oh so eager to share them." Duchess Ximena stated, Miriam looking from her to Kier.

 Kier didn't seem to know what she was talking about either, but his gaze never wavered from Ximena.

 After a moment or so, Duchess Ximena bid Miriam a restful night and a speedy recovery. She ignored Keir completely as the Duchess walked off.

 "Who is she the Duchess of?" Miriam asked Kier.

 "Duchess Ximena. She took over when her husband died from the red pox epidemic. She's from the kingdom of Canerulus and owns the estate of Retaw. I never thought she'd come out here to partake in your feast my lady." Kier explained, looking at the direction where Duchess Ximena went off to.

 "She seems...dangerous." Miriam noted, Kier nodding.

 "Duchess Ximena is no joke, my lady. She comes from a long line of Mexika* warriors. She's battle ready and known to be one of the fiercest fighters I've ever met." Kier replied, a hint of respect in his tone.

 "I wonder what she meant when she said I was willing to share my secrets with. Was I ever close to her, Kier?" Miriam asked.

 Kier looked at her, and scanned over her features, as if really trying to see if he could uncover something of her.

 When all he saw was her confused face, he shook his head.

 "You are all part of the Treaty, and Ally Act, my lady, but to be close enough to be on speaking terms? No." Kier explained, and Miriam accepted that answer, standing up from the bench.

 "I wish to go back to my room, Kier. I've had enough of today." Miriam said, Kier nodding as he led her away from the gardens, the feast still going on.

 Miriam was supposed to have answers, but more and more questions were arising. She could only hope that she'd find what she was looking for in the diary.