Joedan smiled back at Amelia. "Hey."
Amelia opened her arms and reached for Joedan, giving him a hug.
"You and your plans." she said, her dimples showing.
"You know me." Joedan smiled back at her.
They both turned to start walking out of the arena. Amelia had been by his side almost every day since he woke up in the hospital with his injuries after the battle with the count. It was a big adjustment for Joedan seeing Amelia in her natural element. He hadn't spent much time around nobility and remembered back when Amelia had been describing her childhood. She really did have a lot of pressure on her shoulders but she handled it well.
"Are you hungry?" Amelia said, walking closely beside him.
"Famished."
"The cooks are working hard on a big meal for you at the estate," Amelia said, smiling again.
She was having a hard time not blushing next to Joedan as they walked. She knew she was giddy. She'd really fallen for the farmer boy but she was feeling shy. She was pretty sure Joedan was interested in her. Every day that they spent together, she saw another side to Joedan and realized just how different he was from the other men she had grown up around. She had made up her mind. Tonight, after dinner, she was going to tell Joedan how she felt. She wanted him to know and she hoped he felt the same.
The two walked down the cobblestone path towards her family's estate. Approaching the entrance, Commander Griff was waiting.
"Joedan," the commander spoke, "job well done today," he said.
"Thanks, Commander." Joedan answered back.
"How do you think you will fare in single-hand combat tomorrow?" Griff asked.
"Are you prepared?"
"As prepared as I can be. Between the academy and the private lessons from you, I don't think there's much else I can do at this point." Joedan laughed, smiling at the Commander.
"The noble boy is gonna be a problem," Griff added, face going serious, "even more so, since you embarrassed him today in the team battle. Be ready for any surprises. I wouldn't put it past him to try something dirty."
Joedan nodded, understanding Griff's suggestion. The trio walked into the estate. Griff parted with the group saying he had other obligations to attend to but he would join them later.
"How have things been around here?" Joedan asked Amelia as they headed towards the main dining hall.
"It's been really hectic," she responded. "Everyone is getting anxious because the execution is coming up."
"Ah, that's right," Joedan said, nodding to her.
The duke had held off on the execution initially because he wanted to focus on getting the city back on track. The count had done a lot of damage between abducting the duke and the aftermath while the others were in captivity. The people were the ones who had paid the price. The duke was working to regain the trust of his people and the count's execution was a part of that effort to show his people he was still looking out for their best interest.
Joedan and Amelia entered the dining hall. Platters of food were spread across the table from one end to the other. Joedan's mouth started to drool. It smelled so delicious. The duke sat at the head of the table, eyes beaming when he saw the duo enter the hall.
"Amelia, darling," he said fondly.
"Joedan," giving him a small smile. "Please join me."
Amelia and Joedan took a seat next to each other on one side of the table closest to the duke.
"I hope you don't mind it just being the three of us for tonight," the duke spoke next. Both shook their heads.
"Please, eat," he said as he motioned towards the platters of food.
Attendants came around and offered the various platters, Joedan stabbing his fork into some of the meat on the platter in front of him, and dropping it onto his plate. Amelia doing similar to his left. Once their plates were filled, the two started to eat as they smiled at each other.
The duke's eyes followed their antics. Young love, he thought to himself. He was happy Joedan had wandered into their city those many months ago. He had been keeping his eye on the boy's progress both through the events with the count and his efforts in the academy. He knew his daughter was smitten. Joedan, still oblivious to this fact, the duke chuckled as he watched them eat.
"You did well on your exam today," the duke said as he took a sip from his goblet.
Joedan, trying to swallow his food quickly, "thank you, sir."
"There was some murmuring from some of my nobles today. I had to hear about it the rest of the afternoon. You sure know how to kick a hornet's nest, son" he said, laughing heartily.
Joedan wasn't sure if he should laugh along with the duke or apologize. The duke, seeing Joedan's hesitation, stepped in, "Don't worry, I think it's wonderful. They've become too spoiled in their entitlement. This is good for them."
Joedan took a breath and stabbed his fork into another bite before continuing to eat. Amelia was really quiet during the meal and Joedan wondered what she was thinking about that had her so pensive. Was something the matter? Joedan hoped she would talk to him about it if it was bothering her. The duke finished his meal and asked to excuse himself having some more matters to attend to.
"Tomorrow at the exam, I know you will make us all proud," the duke said as he stood and turned to leave the dining hall.
That left just Amelia and Joedan eating alone. Amelia pushed back her plate and lowered her silverware. Joedan, looking at her, did the same.
"Are you okay, Amelia?"
"Yeah, I just need to get some fresh air." Amelia said. "Would you come with me?"
The two were walking together in the garden. It was a little chilly, having cooled off for the evening. Amelia was nervous. Her palms were sweaty. She'd had crushes before but this felt different. She was a grown woman, "why did she have all these butterflies in her stomach?" she grumbled to herself.
She led Joedan over to a bench in the center of the garden and she sat down. He sat next to her. She reached for his hand, hesitantly. Joedan looked up at her, she was looking right at him. He let her grab his hand and waited to see what she was going to say.
Amelia took a deep breath and squared her shoulders back. It was time. This was her moment.